Father Craig’s Contemplations

Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

In the seventh week of Ordinary time, we begin with hear from the first Book of Samuel. We hear specific details of the military conflicts between David and Saul. As you remember, Saul was the king of Israel at the time, yet he had “lost favor” with God because he failed to follow God’s command.

Remember, just as Samuel secretly anointed Saul he later anointed David secretly to take Saul’s place. In this battle, Saul has 3,000 warriors while David has fewer than 600. Somehow in the dark of night David and Abishai, enter into Saul’s encampment area (without waking a single soldier) … ultimately, they take Saul’s spear and water jug. In the end we are called to reflect on the fact that David caused Saul no physical harm that night and that David demonstrates he is a leader who will try to be faithful to God.

We continue this week, hearing from St. Paul in the first letter to the Corinthians, regarding the resurrection of the dead. St. Paul poses a question, “How are the dead raised?” -- answer: “As we bear the image of Christ on earth, so will we bear the image of the risen Christ in heaven.”

Finally, in the Gospel – we are challenged – when we hear the teaching “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Clearly, Jesus’ teaching is counter-cultural, it was 2,000 years ago, and it remains today. And so, we are called to ask, do I love those who may consider me an enemy?

May God bless you,
Fr. Craig

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2022

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1^st Reading—1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 13-13, 22-23—Saul pursued David with a large army, but David sent out spies and penetrated Saul’s camp, David declined to kill Saul but instead took merely his spear and water jar.

Responsorial Psalm: 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8 10, 12-13— “The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful.”

2^nd Reading—1 Corinthians 15: 45-49—Paul compared the risen Christ with Adam. The first Adam received life, but the risen one gives life. Adam is an earthly model, and Christ is spiritual. As we are like Adam, so will we be like Christ.

Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “Speak, Lord your servant is listening, You have the words of everlasting life!” Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Gospel—Luke 6: 27-28—Jesus challenged, “Love your enemies.” Love goes beyond the payment of debt. “Lend expecting nothing back,” said Jesus. “Stop judging and you will not be judged.”


7TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - C - FEBRUARY 20, 2022

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

1) Let us pray for the Church:
God of compassion and faithfulness, you love your people.
Help us grow in the likeness of Christ as we serve one another. 
            We pray to the Lord…

2) Let us pray for strength to forgive our enemies:
God of the human family, reward each for justice and patience.
May we love our enemies, be slow to anger and quick to forgive.  Bring peace to the
Mid-East.
            We pray to the Lord…

3) Let us pray for the sick and for those in mental or physical pain:

Source of healing and peace, look with love on our friends –

                Betty Morici          Kirk McCoy          Marge Park           Don Hauser
          Max Justus           Kevin Petrusha     Ruthie Reid         Garry Bryant
          Maddie Katchka   Sue Bruggeman    Catherine Konen
               
 
And for all who have asked for our prayers.
We pray to the Lord…

4) Let us remember those who have died:
Loving God, keep our loved ones in your care and in our memories always, especially…
            (5:00 Mass.) Tom Rogan, Bob Henley
            (8:30 Mass) Richard Moon, Ann Foster
            (10:30 Mass) Jadwiga Bembenek
            We pray to the Lord…

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS – February 20, 2022

1. Please bring last year’s blessed palm branches to church with you next weekend.  These are burned to produce the ashes for Ash Wednesday which is March 2^nd this year.

 

2. Mass on Monday, February 21^st will be at 9 a.m. not 7 p.m. we thank you for your understanding.

 

3. To those who brought their wedding pictures for last weekends World Marriage Day, thank you. They are on the back counter, please take them home with you.

4. (Sunday) Please join us in Hardy Hall for coffee, donuts and fellowship.