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7th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
The overarching theme is the law of love and unity. Can't we
all get along? sums up the passages for this 7th Sunday after
the Epiphany.
LEVITICUS 19:1-2, 9-18 - LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS
YOURSELF
This passage is in lockstep with Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 5 Perhaps, Jesus had based his sermon on this passage.
The main message is: can't you just get along, people? Try love and
mercy instead of grudge and revenge.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-11, 16-23 -WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD
Paul is clear on that the body of believers, in this
case the church at Corinth, is the dwelling place of God. God
considers it a holy group of people on a mission and anybody who
willingly attempts to destroy it will have to bear the consequences.
This will preach in today's church!
MATTHEW 5:38-48 -BE A PEACE-MAKER AND . . .LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
This must be one of the all-time most difficult passages of Jesus
sayings. Turning the other cheek is not easily done. In this passage
more than anywhere else, we get the sense that Jesus is radical; but
perhaps some problems need a radical solution, and perhaps love can
conquer all--even our enemies! Perhaps, this kind of radical love is
the only way to true peace.
