SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Feb. 20th, 2011

Oscar Wilde enjoyed saying, “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them more.”

In the Gospel we are told to turn the other cheek, to love in the face of hatred. The real spirit of Jesus’ teaching is in the beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” St. Francis of Assisi said, “While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”

And not too many years ago Cesar Chavez added his thought: “The nonviolent technique does not depend for its success on the goodwill of the oppressor, but rather on the unfailing assistance of God.”

                               Deacon Dick Folger