Second Sunday Before Lent ‘A’

Today’s readings challenge our natural instincts. In a world that often cries out for "justice" in the  form of revenge, the Bible offers a different path: a holiness defined by mercy and a love that  knows no boundaries. 

In Leviticus, God gives a clear command: "Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy." * The  Modern Misconception: We often think "holiness" means being perfect at religious ceremonies. The text immediately connects holiness to how we treat people. To be holy is to "love your  neighbor as yourself." Holiness is simply God’s love in action through us. 

In his first Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul gives us a powerful reason to change our behavior:  "You are God’s temple." If you truly believed that the Spirit of God lived inside you and the  people you meet, how would that change your interactions? This perspective shifts morality  from "following rules" to "respecting the sacred" in ourselves and others. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the "Eye for an Eye" mentality. While that law was  originally meant to limit excessive revenge, Jesus takes it a step further. He offers three radical  examples of "non-violent resistance" and extreme generosity: 

• Turn the other cheek: Don't let someone else’s aggression dictate your character. • Give your cloak as well: Meet a demand with unexpected, overwhelming kindness. • Go the extra mile: In Jesus’ time, a Roman soldier could legally force a civilian to carry  

his pack for one mile. Jesus says: Go two. Show them that your service is a free gift of  love, not a forced act of a slave. 

Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. This isn't a "feeling" (which  we can't always control); it is a decision (which we can control). The Greek word for selfless,  unconditional love is “agape”. It is loving someone because of who you are, not because of what  they’ve done. 

When Jesus says, "Be perfect," he isn't talking about never making a mistake. In this context,  "perfection" means maturity. It means loving everyone, not just our friends, just as God sends  rain and sun on both the good and the bad. 

Forgiveness is not saying that what happened was okay; it's deciding that you won't let bitterness live in your "temple" anymore. 

Think of someone who genuinely bothers you or has hurt you. Pray for their well-being this  week. It is incredibly difficult to hate someone while you are sincerely asking God to bless them.

Go Beyond "fair" in your marriage, your job, or your friendships, stop keeping score. Look for  one opportunity to "go the extra mile" for someone who hasn't earned it. 

Being "perfect" like the Father means having a heart that is wide open. When we choose mercy  over revenge, we aren't just being "nice", we are revealing the face of God to a world that  desperately needs to see it.