19 February
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
COLLECT PRAYER: 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. Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Readings:
Lev 19:1-2,17-18.
Ps 102:1-4,8,10,12-13.
1 Cor 3:16:23.
Gospel Acclamation: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Meditation
This law, Eye for eye, (Lex Talionis), was enacted to repress the flames of mutual hatred, and to keep undisciplined spirits in check. Whatever wrong or hurt any man did to another, he should suffer just the same in return. … Then, it was sinful to seek unmeasured vengeance, but not sinful to seek a just one; therefore, he who seeks no retribution at all, overcomes sin. I might state it like this: It was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not take unequal retaliation; But I say unto you, Ye shall not retaliate; this is the completion of the Law.
St. Augustine
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY (8th in Ordinary Time)
- Isaiah 49:14-15.
- Psalm 61:2-3,6-9.
- 1 Cor 4:1-5.
- Matthew 6:24-34.
We Venerate the Saints
- Tue 21 … St. Peter Damian, Bishop, Doctor
- Wed 22 … ASH WEDNESDAY
- Thu 23 Thursday … St. Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr
Polycarp, disciple to the Apostles
St. Polycarp, 2nd century bishop of Smyrna, is the link between the apostles and the early fathers. St. Irenaeus tells us that Polycarp knew many people who had seen Christ and was taught and appointed bishop by the apostles. He combated various heretical sects, including Gnostics who reduced divine revelation to moral fables. His letter to the Philippians often quotes St. Paul’s writings, and is a testimony to the early existence of New Testament texts, such as the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and the first letters of St. Peter and St. John. Old Polycarp visited Pope Anicetus of Rome to discuss the date for the Easter celebrations, as a schism between Rome and Asia Minor was lurking. Upon his return to Smyrna, before his arrest, he saw in a vision that he would die by burning. Escape was possible, but instead, Polycarp exclaimed: “God’s will be done”. He was kind to his pursuers and even ordered food for them. Then he was led away and thrown into the flames.
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Readings for next Sunday (1st of Lent):
- Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7.
- Psalm 50:3-6, 12-14, 17.
- Romans 5:12-19.
- Matthew 4:1-11.
ASH WEDNESDAY
22 Feb, Masses 12 and 6pm at AK (6pm in Polis) with distribution of ashes. Please bring us your palms from last year to make the ashes.
LUNCH AT JIMMY’S KILLER PRAWNS
Friday 24 Feb 1.30pm. €18 per person includes one drink. Collection and raffle to help AMH. Info Fr. Jim or at the Coffee shop.
ST. PATRICK’S LUNCH
Friday, 17 March 1pm at The Local in Chloraka. €20 Buffet lunch. Entertainment by Joe Mac. Contact Fr. Jim 99793169
LATIN PATRIARCHATE’S WEBSITE (LPJ)
Check out Patriarch Pierbattista’s Sunday reflections and news from our diocese at lpj.org
CARITAS PAPHOS
Thank you for your food donations. We are currently in need of winter items. For info, please contact Fr. Fernando.
COFFEE SHOP
Have some tea or coffee, shop bric a brac, enjoy community time. Volunteers needed, please contact Fr. Jim.
Mass Schedule for this week
- Mon, Tues and Thurs …….. 9 am at Agia Kyriaki.
- Ash Wednesday ………… 12 and 6pm at AK (6pm in Polis).
- Fridays of Lent ………… Mass 11:30 followed by Stations of the Cross.
- Sat ……………………… 4 and 6pm AK. /// 6 pm Polis.
- Sun …………………… 10am (Latin), 11am (Polish), 12pm (English) in AK.
Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:15 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.
Maronite Mass: Sunday at 9 am, Info: Fr. Youakim 9981 4316.