The 19th of February, 2023 is the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2023.
Reading 1: LV 19:1-2, 17-18
The first reading from the Book of Leviticus.
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, Yahweh your God, am holy.’_”
“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.’_”
“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.’_”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10, 12-13
Response: Yahweh is merciful and gracious.
Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!
Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits.
R: Yahweh is merciful and gracious.
Who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.
R: Yahweh is merciful and gracious.
Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.
R: Yahweh is merciful and gracious.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
R: Yahweh is merciful and gracious.
Reading 2: 1 COR 3:16-23
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”
And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.”
Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Gospel of the Day: MT 5:38-48
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
