7th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Feb. 24, 2019

Written by Fr. Fitz Friday, 22 February 2019 10:27

Print

Raise the ante!

In Poker it is "Raise the ante!" In Track and Field, in the Pole Vault, the height of the vault is increased after each successful vault.

In the Gospel it means the Old Testament demands have been raised to much higher standards by Jesus.

"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." was the old rule of conduct.

No more.

Now Jesus proclaims: "Love your enemies!"

Say what?

Do I have to send them valentines?

Do I have to have warm fuzzy feelings toward them?

No...but I must will them good--not vengence nor retribution.

If we can at least pray for our enemies we will have fulfilled the Gospel's demands.

And so we pray:

Deliver me from revenge, rage, and vengence.

Lift up my heart

from the dregs of hatred

which corrode my soul.

forgive me my tresspasses,

as I forgive those

who trespass against me.

Amen