Scripture Reflections for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Yes, mercy and forgiveness begin with concrete, individual acts which reshape our society. Today we remember that we are called to seek mercy even for our enemies or adversaries”

“How does the one God deal with evil-doers? He brings them to life. For sin is deadly, and evil kills us. God, who is rich in mercy, makes us alive in Christ.”

“God’s merciful response to sinners, not other people’s way of reacting to their enemies, must provide the norm for our behaviour”

“Gospel ethics look impracticable because they are for humanity as it ought to be — humanity in the image of Christ as the Father intended it.”

“when forgiveness is asked for, nothing is gained by refusing, and a lot can be achieved, namely justice in the sense of good order in human relationships”

"Friends, whenever we give or receive a gift, we’re always caught in a difficult rhythm of exchange and mutual obligation. The great exception to this rule is God, who is..."

“The measure of Jesus is love without measure”

"The philosopher Jacques Derrida reflected on what he called the aporia or dilemma of the gift. The upshot seems to be that it is virtually impossible truly to give a..."

"One of the most challenging and disconcerting of Jesus’ commands is to love our enemies. In this sermon, I will explore four reasons why this moral demand makes sense. First,..."

“Yes, Jesus, I see. Following your rules enables your disciples today to live with others in ways that give us freedom. In a thousand little ways, they stop the patterns of selfishness by replacing them with patterns of love.”

“There is an extraordinary strength and courage...in the martyr who believes so much in the Resurrection that he or she is willing to suffer anything...Who will not compromise with untruth, with unlove.”

“Let us not give in to the hypocrisy to desire God’s mercy only for ourselves and not for others whose sins we recognize all too well”

“We must show restraint, and we must rely on God to help us, giving us the patience, humility and grace we need. And when all else fails, just pray.”

"The most troubling and challenging of Jesus’ teaching is the command to love our enemies. In this homily, I explore four good reasons why it is so important to engage..."