Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • February 21, 2020 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com 1260 Ocean Springs Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Ph: 228-818-0650 For more information, contact Jody Ellis Stoddard, Executive Director or email her at gardensED@BlueHarborSL.com Web Address: www.gardensseniorliving.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheGardensSeniorLivingOceanSprings In thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit, Blessed Mother and St. Jude, for prayers answered. BAB In thanksgiving to St. Jude, St. Joseph, and St. Dymphna, for prayers answered. HCW Thank you, St. Jude, for prayers answered. KS Thank you, Jesus, Mary, St. Jude, and St. Anthony, for prayers answered. CS Exodus 90 is a ninety-day spiritual exercise for men based on three essential aspects of the Christian life: prayer, asceticism and fraternity. We have 34 men in our parish participating in this program. Our pastor, who is leading it, has called it, ‘Lent on Steroids.’ The demands of today’s readings fit well with the “Exodus 90” discipline as they raise our attitudes and actions to a new (higher) level. The Leviticus reading calls the whole community to be holy. Paul, writing to church in Corinth, affirms that they are temples of the Spirit of God and thereby holy. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, demands perfection from his followers. I don’t know about you but I’m having enough trouble trying to be kind, considerate, forgiving and grateful -- but holy and perfect -- yikes! From the song, Just Like You -- Matt Maher. Listen to it Like a burning fire, your my one desire. Chorus: I wanna be holy, just like you I wanna go where you want me to With reckless abandon to your truth I wanna fall deeper in love with you The Book of Leviticus mostly consists of sacrificial and ritualistic laws prescribed for the priests of the tribe of Levi. More than just a list of rules and regulations, it teaches the practice of purity as a sign of an intimate relationship with the Lord. Holiness, that is, complete and unequivocal attachment to God’s person, will and ways is our means of showing God and the world who we truly are. Paul, although admonishing the Corinthians about moral disorders and divisions in the church (1 Corinthians 1:10- 6:20) presents the higher standard of holiness as attainable because the Spirit of God dwells within. We too have that same Spirit living in us which helps us conquer sin as we cooperate with the Spirit’s leadings. If your thoughts or actions are not producing love, peace, joy, faith and hope, corrections can be made through acts of prayer, penance, self-discipline and fraternity within the body of Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus provides a stark contrast between the Old and New Covenant commandments on retaliation and love and issues a higher call for his disciples; “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). How can we: sinful, fickle, and prone to follow our own passions rather than God’s will, match God’s holiness and perfection? We can trust that the same Lord, who called us, will provide everything we need to answer and be fruitful: but he does need our cooperation. It’s always profitable to do an examination of conscience -- so here we go: 1. How satisfied are you with yourself? Are you too comfortable or complacent to move in God’s direction? Surrendering ingrained, familiar and comfortable habits and behaviors to a higher scrutiny requires humility and sacrifice. Begin by not relying on your own strength or wisdom but ask the Lord to help you practice God-like qualities. 2. Study the Scriptures and take them personally. Be less angry, less retaliatory, more forgiving, and more tolerant. When challenged to change our ways our first reaction is denial, defensiveness or turning on the one issuing the call (even if it is God). What makes us most defensive or angry may be the very area of our life where we need to change. 3. When someone hurts us physically, emotionally or spiritually, is retaliation our natural reaction? Finding and focusing on the other persons weaknesses and enjoying the satisfaction of getting even. Instead, pray for them and forgive. 4. Invite the Lord into your hurt, discouragement or pain. Ask him to be Lord of your emotions and to intervene before you act irrationally. 5. Name your negative feelings, specifically. Ask God to take them away and replace them with thoughts of God’s love and words of kindness. 6. Take the higher ground. Don’t settle for neutrality or complacency in your faith. Stretch yourself to draw closer to God. 7. God made the first move with His call to holiness and perfection assuring us of his grace and love while awaiting your response. Go to Confession. 8. God is never finished with us, never complacent, and never static. He loves us so deeply and passionately that he wants us to act in ways close to his heart and will never stop calling you to something more. Reflect: l. In what ways has God shown that He never withdraws His love from you? 2. What characteristics does a person who has the Holy Spirit possess? 2. What natural actions or crowd mimicking behaviors do you need to be rid of? Action: 1. Discuss this commentary in detail with a spiritual adviser and develop a plan of action for ongoing transformation. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web- site: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 Psalm: 103:1-2,3-4,8, 10, 12-13 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time Be holy and perfect Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries