The Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany - February 23, 2025

SummaryMother Suzanne explores Jesus's Sermon on the Plain from Luke's Gospel, focusing on how the Beatitudes call us to live counter-culturally through divine reversals. Through stories of their church's blessing box and refrigerator, she illustrates how living by Jesus's teachings—giving without expectation, showing mercy, and loving enemies—makes Christians "light to a very dark world" and creates moments where "the veil between this world and the next becomes a little less thick."THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                        Luke 6:27-38Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." Artwork: Calling of the Apostles - The Sistine Chapel, by Domenico Ghirlandaio (2 June 1448 – 11 January 1494)