Questions – 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Discussion Questions related to Sunday Readings featuring Word-Sunday, Vince Contreras, RCIA Seekers’ Michael Marchall, RCL Benziger, and Anne Osdieck.
Discussion Questions related to Sunday Readings featuring Word-Sunday, Vince Contreras, RCIA Seekers’ Michael Marchall, RCL Benziger, and Anne Osdieck.
READINGS
Video | 1st Reading | Psalm | 2nd Reading | Gospel
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
How hard is it to respect people that you detest?
Face it. We don’t like everyone we meet and many people don’t like us. It’s the way of the world. But, as Christians, we are called to a higher code of conduct. While we have hurt or broken relationships, even people have to “love” from a distance, how we treat them speaks volumes about our faith and our character. The trick for these distant people is to keep the door of reconciliation open. Maybe, someday, there will be forgiveness and healing. If we cannot give these people friendship, at least we can pray for them. If we must keep our distance for our own mental health, at least we can hope for a change of heart.
In these next passages, Jesus spoke of Christian justice, not the justice of retribution, but the justice of the Kingdom. Not an “eye for an eye” but a way to show others the path to God. He shows us the way to love.
How can you show others Christ? How can your words and deeds increase love in your world?
Children’s Reading | Catechism Link | Family Activity
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
§§ 1693, 1825, 1933, 1968, 2013, 2054, 2262, 2303, 2443, 2608, 2844
OVERVIEW OF THE GOSPEL (PDF)
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
1. Why would Jesus tell you to “Love your enemies?” Who can do that? Did Jesus tell us about a new revolutionary kind of acting when he showed us how to love our enemies? How far was he willing to go for them with his radical self-emptying? How far was the Father willing to go for his children?
2. Pope Francis speaks about the “extremism of charity.” Why does he say it is the heart of the Gospel?
… Having been touched by love, we are called to love without waiting for others to love first. … Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This is the Christian innovation. It is the Christian difference. Pray and love: this is what we must do; and not only with regard to those who love us, not only with regard to our friends or our own people. The love of Jesus knows no boundaries or barriers. The Lord demands of us the courage to have a love that does not count the cost. … Yet his commandment of love is not simply a challenge; it is the very heart of the Gospel. Where the command of universal love is concerned, let us not accept excuses or preach prudent caution. The Lord was not cautious; he did not yield to compromises. He asks of us the extremism of charity. This is the only legitimate kind of Christian extremism: the extremism of love.
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Take a weekly break from the business of life and enjoy a mini do-it-yourself Sunday Retreat. These retreats are based on Sunday’s reading and prompt reflection questions that you may want to think about. It is a good idea to keep a personal journal in which reflections that stood out for you are recorded. The outcome of those Sunday Micro Retreats is good material that you can talk about in your spiritual direction.