Reflection for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The reflections I offer come out of my having watched Dr. Maya Angelou on PBS this past week, having meditated on several of her famous quotes I found online, and having taught black and brown children these past two weeks. Her son, Guy Johnson, said in an interview, “My mother taught me a lot about justice, a love of doing what’s right.” May the parallels I found help you make life-connections for your week ahead.
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– Sr. Cynthia Hruby, ND

Collect: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things,
We may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you.

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2. 17-18
“You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart…. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.”
Miss Angelou: Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but hasn’t solved one yet.

Second Reading: Corinthians 3:16-23
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
Miss Angelou: While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.

Gospel: St. Matthew 5:38-48
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Miss Angelou: I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Without the Holy Spirit, our efforts are in vain! – Pope Francis, 2013