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First Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God
that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction,
the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty
overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For according to their means, I can testify,
and beyond their means, spontaneously,
they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part
in the service to the holy ones,
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord
and to us through the will of God,
so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun,
he should also complete for you this gracious act also.
Now as you excel in every respect,
in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness,
and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.
I say this not by way of command,
but to test the genuineness of your love
by your concern for others.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that for your sake he became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:2, 5-6ab, 6c- 7, 8-9a
R./ Praise the Lord, my soul! or: Alleluia.
Praise the Lord, my soul!
I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
R./ Praise the Lord, my soul! or: Alleluia.
Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord, his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
R./ Praise the Lord, my soul! or: Alleluia.
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free.
R./ Praise the Lord, my soul! or: Alleluia.
The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord raises up those who were bowed down;
the Lord loves the just.
The Lord protects strangers.
R./ Praise the Lord, my soul! or: Alleluia.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Opening Prayer
Father in heaven, God of love,
in your Son, Jesus Christ,
you have shown us your tenderness
and accepted us, sinful people,
as your sons and daughters.
Share your heart with us,
make us merciful and understanding people,
that we may learn from the way you have treated us
to accept everyone without conditions,
to forget and forgive all hurts,
so that we can become more like you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
Paul tells us today that churches that are better off must help those that are poorer. Here he applies this when he asks the Church of Corinth, a church of pagan origin, to help the impoverished poorer church of Jerusalem.
Gospel Reading Introduction
Jesus concludes part of his Sermon on the Mount with the words "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." A goal not easy to attain! Our love must go out to everyone; it must include even our enemies and must imitate God's love, who lets his sun shine on good and bad alike.
General Intercessions
– Lord, let your Spirit give us the courage to pray for those who hate or harm us, and to do good to them, we pray:
– Lord, change the hearts of those who cannot forgive or refuse to do so, and remind them how you have forgiven them, we pray:
– Lord, that those in charge of charitable organizations and works may be honest in administering what has been entrusted to them, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Heavenly Father,
these are the gifts of peace
we bring before you
to celebrate the feast of love of your Son.
Help us to discover with him
the best that is in each of us
and to create one another anew
with the same liberating and forgiving love
that you have shown us
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Father in heaven,
we have celebrated with your Son
the sacrifice that has brought us peace.
By his words and his life, he has taught us
to forgive one another wholeheartedly.
Let his Spirit dwell in us,
that our pardon may be without regret
and that we may go with one another
much farther than we are asked
on the way to each other and to you,
our holy God, now and for ever.
Blessing
"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you." Difficult to do, very difficult. But that's what Jesus did. Is it impossible for us? May God give you courage and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
