HOMILY FOR SEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A), FEBRUARY 19, 2017

THEME: "Non-Violence: A Test of Christian Maturity"

By: Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode

In today's gospel reading (Matt. 5:38-48), Jesus continues his teaching on the Law with the antithesis. In today's pericope, he engages the Jewish justice system of retaliation also called the _lex talionis_(the law of retaliation): 'an eye for an eye'. We may not fully appreciate this law if we relate with it in isolation from its ancient Israelite context that is in sharp contrast with today's justice system. Certain passages in the Old Testament indicate that this system was efficient for entrenching justice and fairness (see Deuteronomy 19:21). This was meant to ensure that damages, whether intentional or unintentional (Lev. 24:20; Ex. 21:24), were paid for in a manner that is not arbitrary. However it neither prohibits vengeance nor checks the possibility of war and conflict. In the same way, Jesus engages the law of love for neighbour which is captured in the first reading (Lev. 19:1-2.17-18). He finds this law equally myopic as it limits the practice of love to one's neighbour which in this sense is one's kinsman or family member.

Pope Francis: Don’t Dialogue With The Devil

Satan is a liar and a cheat who promises people everything then leaves them with nothing, Pope Francis has said at his early morning Mass.

Pope Francis giving the homily

In his homily on February 10, Pope Francis contrasted the way Eve interacted with the serpent in the garden of Eden and the way Jesus reacted to the devil after spending 40 days in the desert.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER TO SAINT ANNE

St Ann and the Child Mary

O glorious Saint Anne, 

you are filled with compassion 
for those who invoke you, 
and with love for those suffer. 
Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles, 
I cast myself at your feet 
  and humbly beg of you to take the present intention, 
which I recommend to you in your special care.

Please recommend it to your daughter, 
the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
and place it before the throne of Jesus, 
so that he may bring it to a happy issue.

Continue to intercede for me 
until my request is granted. 
But above all obtain for me the grace one day 

to see my God face to face, 

and with you and Mary and all the saints 
to praise and bless him for all eternity.  Amen.

Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory be.

Saint Ann, help me now and at the hour of my death! 
Good Saint Ann, intercede for me!

Prayer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (by Saint Alphonsus Mary De Liguori)

My Lord Jesus Christ, 

who for the love Thou bearest mankind, 

dost remain night and day in this Sacrament, 

all full of tenderness and love, expecting, 

inviting and receiving all those who come to visit Thee; 

I believe that Thou art present in the Sacrament of the altar; 

I adore Thee from the depths of my own nothingness 

and thank Thee for all the favours Thou hast bestowed upon me; 

and especially for having given me Thyself in this Sacrament, 

and Thy most holy Mother Mary as my advocate; 

and for having called me to visit Thee in this church.

I pay my homage this day to Thy most loving Heart 

and this I intend to do for three intentions: 

first, in thanksgiving for this great gift; 

secondly, in reparation for all the insults 

Thou hast received from Thine enemies in this Sacrament; 

thirdly, by this visit I intend to adore Thee 

in all places upon the earth, 

where Thou art least adored and most neglected in Thy Sacrament. 

My Jesus, l love Thee with my whole heart. 

I repent of having in the past so many times 

displeased Thine infinite goodness. 

I purpose with the help of Thy grace 

never more to offend Thee in the future; 

and at this moment, wretched as I am, 

I consecrate myself wholly to Thee. 

I give to Thee and utterly renounce my entire will, 

all my affections, 

all my desires, 

and all that I possess. 

From this day forth do with me 

and with all that is mine 

whatever is pleasing in Thy sight. 

I ask and desire only Thy holy love, 

final perseverance and the perfect fulfilment of Thy will. 

I commend to Thee the souls in purgatory, 

especially those who were most devoted 

to this Blessed Sacrament and to Blessed Mary; 

I commend to Thee in like manner all poor sinners. 

Finally, my dear Saviour, 

I unite all my affections with those of Thy most loving Heart, 

and thus united I offer them to Thine eternal Father, 

and I pray Him in Thy name graciously to accept 

and answer them for love of Thee.

Amen.