Tag: love your enemies

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Feb: Lv 19:1-2, 17-18; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48 ~ children of a holy God

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today Jesus teaches us that loving the enemy and praying for those who make life difficult are two marks of a Christian. We gather, aware of how difficult love can be, yet united by the saving mercy of God, on which we rely.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in Christ Jesus you challenge us to renounce violence and to forsake revenge. Teach us to recognize as your children even our enemies and persecutors and to love them without measure or discrimination. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Love divine all loves excelling” – Keswick Praise


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A Reading from the Old Testament: Leviticus19:1-2, 17-18 (NLT)
[Love for the Lord is seen in love for all God’s people.]

The Lord also said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
_____

“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13 NLT)

Little boy hugging an old book

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
_____

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
_____

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
_____

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
__________

“Psalm 103” – Jess Ray


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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 (NLT)
[We belong to Christ and Christ is God’s, so we belong to God.]

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”

And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”

So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you — whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT)
[Jesus explains how Christians should live.]

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
__________

“Heal Our Land” – Kari Jobe


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Intercessory Prayer:

God of love and compassion, slow to anger and rich in mercy – hear our payers:

+ For Church leaders around the world, especially those in war-torn lands….
+ For an end to war and violence, especially in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine….
+ For people who are at war with each other — that they may forgive and make peace….
+ For those who have hurt us — that You may help us to end our quarrels….
+ For people who are sick or troubled — that You may bring them healing….
+ For ourselves and those we love — that You may always be close to us….
+ For those who have died in Christ – that You may crown them with love and compassion….

God of love and compassion, have pity on Your people and grant us Your gracious help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Love divine all loves excelling” – Kingsway Music


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Benediction:

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 20 February – Matthew 5:43-48 ~ on loving kindness

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

Forgiveness 3

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Morning Prayer

Christ the Lord has made me into a new creation. He gives me a new birth in the waters of baptism and nourishes me with his word and his Spirit. Glory to you, Lord Jesus, you are gentle and humble in spirit, renew me by your grace.

+ Teach me to be a good neighbor to the sad and the needy – that I may imitate you.
+ Grant me something of your compassion towards those who are suffering.
+ Grant me something of your kindness towards those who are needy.
+ Grant me something of your patience towards those who are frustrating.
+ Grant me the gift of your mercy, forgive my sins and deliver me from the evil one.

Turn my heart to you, eternal Father, so that, always seeking the one thing necessary and devoting myself to acts of kindness, I may worship you in spirit and in truth. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Be Thou My Vision” – Anna Weatherup

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: 28 Feb – Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48 ~ holy to the Lord

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence and prayer:

Pray for those who persecute you and for those who treat you badly: in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, says the Lord.
_____

Jesus, You are gentle and humble in spirit; grant me something of Your pity, something of Your kindness and something of Your patience towards all men. Teach me to be a neighbour to the sad and the needy; let me imitate You, the good Samaritan. Grant me the gift of Your mercy, pardon my sins and save me from punishment. Renew me, Lord, by Your grace.

Turn my heart to Yourself, eternal Father, so that, always seeking the one thing necessary and devoting myself to acts of KIndness, I may worship You in spirit and in truth. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 26:16-19 (NLT)

An icon of the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya by artist Tony Rezk http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2015/02/24/can-catholics-recognise-the-21-murdered-coptic-christians-as-martyrs/
An icon of the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya by artist Tony Rezk

“Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. And if you do, he will set you high above all the other nations he has made. Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown. You will be a nation that is holy to the Lord your God, just as he promised.”
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Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2b)
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Martyrdom of St Ephraim (click here for story)
Martyrdom of St Ephraim
(click here for story)

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
__________


__________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Nigeria: Habila Shot for Refusing to Deny Jesus – Reblog The Voice of the Martyrs

Nigeria: Habila Shot for Refusing to Deny Jesus
October 2014 Newsletter

Listen to Habila’s story in his own words…

The pounding on the door was followed by the sound of men yelling for Habila to come out with his family.

Habila rushed to get dressed. When he entered the front room with his wife, Vivian, and their young son close behind, he faced intruders wearing robes and masks. One was armed with an AK-47. Habila said a short prayer to the Lord.

After announcing that they were there to do the work of Allah, the men began to question Habila. They asked him his name, his profession, whether he was a policeman or in the military, and whether he was a Christian or Muslim.

“I am a Christian,” he replied.

Vivian was terrified, knowing the men were members of Boko Haram.

The intruders told Habila that they were giving him the opportunity to live—and live a better life—if he would only become a Muslim and say the shahada [Islamic profession of faith that includes, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”]. They even asked him to join them as a member of Boko Haram.

All the while, Habila was prepared to die. “I am a Christian and will always remain a Christian,” he replied, “even to death.”

Learn more about the October 2014 newsletter at www.persecution.com/october2014.

7th Ordinary Sunday: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48 ~ love your enemies

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Heavenly Father, in Christ Jesus you challenge me to renounce violence and to forsake revenge.

Teach me to recognise as your children even my enemies and persecutors and to love them without measure or discrimination.

I ask this through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 (NLT)

The Lord also said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
__________


__________

A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 (NLT)

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,

“He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”

And again,

“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”

So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you — whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT)

Responding to the Boston Massacre
Responding to the Boston Massacre

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Intercessions:

God of compassion and love, who is slow to anger and rich in mercy: hear my prayer –

+ For all Church leaders — that they may show us how to live in peace and friendship…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For an end to war and violence, especially in Syria and Ukraine — that hatred may give way to love…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For people who are at war with each other – that they may forgive and make peace…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those who have hurt us, those we find it hard to love — that God may help us to end our quarrels…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For people who are sick or troubled — that God may bring them healing and peace…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For myself and those I love, particularly those who come to mind right now — that God may always be with us…. Lord, hear my prayer.

God of love and compassion, have mercy on your people and grant us your gracious help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Visual Liturgy: Love Your Enemies

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen