Reflection on the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR•February 19, 2020

Lev 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Cor. 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48

In the world, vengeance is the rule of human retaliation. When someone throws an insulting word at me, I usually answer back not with one word, but a barrage of insulting words. If someone punches me once, I take it my right to throw many more punches in return. If someone bullies me in school, I claim it my right to get a gun and shoot many students and even teachers in that school. You sideswiped me with a car, I will use my truck to drive out off the road into the ditch. The rule of vengeance is do greater harm to the offender than the offense done to me. To curtail the spread of vengeance among the people of God, Moses gave the lex talionis, limiting the harm to be returned only to the amount of harm received: an eye for eye, and a tooth for a tooth. This was already a great leap among the ancient peoples.

But Jesus wants us to go beyond these limitations. Three Sundays ago, our Lord gave us the Beatitudes which paint the ideal of Christian perfection. He calls blessed the poor in spirit, the meek, one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness; blessed are the clean of heart, the merciful and the peace makers; blessed too are those who bear insults and suffer persecution. Two Sundays ago Jesus invited us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world; by our love and holiness of life we give flavor to Christian life, and light up the path for others to follow Christ. Today the Lord challenges us to move up higher in our Christian ideal. Leviticus (19:2) puts the command as, “Be holy, for I the Lord your God, am holy.” Matthew (5:48) in our Gospel today says, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Luke (6:36) for his part would put it, “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.” The measure of love in Lev is the self: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus wants us to measure our love with the love of the Heavenly Father and His own: “Love one another as I have loved you.” The measure of love is to love without measure. And so Jesus challenges me today: if someone strikes me on one cheek, I turn the other as well. If someone asks for my tunic, I give my cloak as well. If someone asks me to walk with him a mile, I walk with him an extra mile. Still as though these were not enough generosity, Jesus challenges me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Why? Because my Father in heaven makes the sun rise not only on the good but on the bad as well; he gives rain not only to the just but to the unjust and the wicked as well. The heavenly Father is generous to all not only to those who love him. Very many times I deliberately stay away from God and continue in my sins. If God would stop supplying the air I breathe, or the water I drink what would happen to me? If in anger I hit my brother and injure him seriously, would God immediately punish me with hell? No, rather He waits for me to repent and be reconciled with my brother. That is how God is patient with me and with all who sin and offend him. Why can I not be like that, forgiving the offender, praying for him to mend his ways? The greatest love of all was on the cross when at the moment of being nailed hands and feet Jesus cried out: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” “Soften my heart, Lord, and give me a forgiving heart. Teach me and help me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Help me to love as you love.” Amen.

Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR

Priest/Religious/Bible Professor of the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.

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< 2023 >

March

S	M	Tu	W	Th	F	S
			1 All day March 1, 2023 CLOSING OF THE MEETING OF THE LOCAL PROCURATORS WITH THE PROVINCIAL PROCURATOR CELEBRATIONS OF THE 151ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MASS OF ST. EZEKIEL MORENO IN PUERTO PRINCESA Inclusive Dates: March 1-10, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Constancia Buchan, AR Sr. Jamaikha Acle, AR Sis. Marissa Molina, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Khia Queen Taiza (RAY-Calubang) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Teresa de Jesus, AR +Sis. Susan Bermil, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	2 All day March 2, 2023 PROVINCE-WIDE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE on “Policies and Procedures on [Cases of] Sexual Abuse Against Minors and Vulnerable Adults” / 9:00 a.m. BIRTHDAY Sr. Charina Mae Ogario, AR Sis. Merlinda Buada, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Karl Canaria (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Luis Clauor Jr., SAR (Bacolod Chapter) +Bro. Gabino Jabutay, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	3 All day March 3, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Emeterio Buñao Fray Andrie Pugate Sr. Felisa Ampasin, AR Sr. Josephine Facinabao, AR Sis. Marina Yang, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Dolores Villas, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Amparo Ortega (Tondo Chapter / Trial) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Teodora de la Natividad, AR +Sis. Angelita Quero, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)	4 All day March 4, 2023 PRAYER INTENTION: FOR VOCATIONS CLOSING OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUERTO PRINCESA Mass Presider & Homilist: Fray Bernard Amparado, OAR Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Puerto Princesa City BIRTHDAY Br. Mark Evan Taliquig (aspirant) Sis. Rosita Viray, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Sis. Jasmin Reyes, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Thelma Geroy, SAR (Tondo Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Celina Magcauas, AR +Sis. Josefina Cedeño, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Esperanza Bacus, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
5 All day March 5, 2023 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT BIRTHDAY Sis. Nelly Marfil, SAR (Talisay Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Teodorica de Natividad, AR +Ma. Alma Limotlimot, AR +Sis. Francisca Tamara, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	6 All day March 6, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Randolph Castulo Castillo, Jr. Sr. Rosalia Aparece, AR Sr. Ma. Corazon Caberte, AR Sr. Ridelia Tinga, AR Sis. Marybeth Publico, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Rosalina Toledo, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Josefina Rodriguez, AR +Sis. Rosemary Delapaz, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) +Mrs. Leonila Dosado (Sister General of the Order)	7 All day March 7, 2023 BIRTHDAY Br. Dorin James Igsoc (aspirant) Bro. John Eduard Nebre, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Bro. Feliciano Nario Jr., SAR (Baguio Chapter)	8 All day March 8, 2023 BIRTHDAY Bro. Marco Quimod, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Beata Oida, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Roceline Bernal (RAY-Cavite) Paula Nicole Bautista (RAY-Cavite) James Ynnoh Molina (RAY-Miranila DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Rita de la Cruz, AR +Sr. Ma. Guadalupe Siroy, AR +Sr. Ma. Natalia Oliver, AR +Sr. Alfonsa Canon, AR	9 All day March 9, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Loreto Manigos, AR Sr. Merlyn Pelarion, AR DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Faustina Nirza, AR +Sis. Rufa Pepito, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	10 All day March 10, 2023 CLOSING OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY (March 10, 1872) OF THE FIRST MASS OF ST. EZEKIEL MORENO IN PUERTO PRINCESA BIRTHDAY Fray Keneth Pahamutang Fray Ifeanyichukwu Maximillian Omem Sis. Elenita Atienza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) Sis. Ma. Theresa Aquino, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Ma. Lourdes Espinos, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Sis. Lydia Escario, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Choleta Jalandra, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	11 All day March 11, 2023 FORSOAR STAR WEEKEND March 11-12, 2022 / Talavera House of Prayer-Recoletos, Cebu City BIRTHDAY Sr. Briggitte Parba, AR Sr. Maria Jasmin Lumanog, AR
12 All day March 12, 2023 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT BIRTHDAY Sr. Marisa Bernasor, AR Mo. Dionisia Talangapaz (Foundress of the AR Sisters) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Inocencia Beringuel, AR +Sis. Fe Zamora, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Valentina Talledo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	13 All day March 13, 2023 10TH ANNIVERSARY (2013-2023) OF THE ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Digna Araña, AR Sr. Ma. Nicelina Rodriguez, AR Bro. Romeo Estanislao, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) Sis. Adelina Belandres, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Estrella Nuque, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Patricia Tario, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Cyrine Julianne Singson (RAY-Cavite) Aaron Kristopher Lim (RAY-San Carlos) Kiarah Fatima Guillen (RAY-Provincialate)	14 All day March 14, 2023 REAP: SHARING OF ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS (NEGROS CLUSTER GENERAL ASSEMBLY) BIRTHDAY Most Rev. Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD (Diocese of Bacolod) Br. Christopher Digal (postulant) Sr. Ma. Clara Flores, AR Sis. Teotila Torrefiel, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Lucia Ruiz, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Leonila Buhain, SAR (Cavite Chapter)	15 All day March 15, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Lauro Larlar Fray Giovanni Gil Magbojos Br. Juan Carlo Macalalag (aspirant) Sr. Rosielyn Hijastro, AR Sis. Marlyn Opu-an, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Sis. Milagros Calipay, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Enrique Jerome Garcia (RAY-Cavite) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Visitacion B. Visitacion, AR +Sis. Lourdes Luna, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) +Sis. Ma. Carmeta Suiza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)	16 All day March 16, 2023 REAP: DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION OF STRUCTURES, PLANS, AND PROGRAMS DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Maria Carmeta Suiza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) BIRTHDAY Sis. Hernane Francisco, SAR (Manila Chapter)	17 All day March 17, 2023 REAP: LENTEN RECOLLECTION DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Jesus Lastimado, AR +Sis. Obdulia Torres, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	18 All day March 18, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Eduarda Reynes, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
19 All day March 19, 2023 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE SICK 10TH ANNIVERSARY (2013-2023) OF THE INSTALLATION OF POPE FRANCIS BIRTHDAY Archbp. Jose Palma, D.D. (Archbishop of Cebu) Sis. Eleanor Almenanza, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Jessica Bacaltos, SAR (Puerto Princesa Chapter) Sis. Beatriz Hermoso, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Marian Sigrid Escobar (RAY-Bacolod) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Trinidad de la Purisima Concepcion, AR +Sis. Enriquieta Oamilda, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Bro. Gonzalo Pañares, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Anunciacion Mendez, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	20 All day March 20, 2023 FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE ORDER USJ-R (Cebu & Balamban) PATRONAL FIESTA OF ST. JOSEPH BIRTHDAY Fray Roweno Eugenio Hamo Sis. Josefina Guevarra, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Salvacion Manalon, SAR (Inagawan Chapter) Sis. Nenita Ursais, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Earl Vincent Blaza (RAY-Miranila)	21 All day March 21, 2023 START OF GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING (Rome) Inclusive Dates: March 21-25 BIRTHDAY Fray Mark Rochelle Renacia Sis. Corazon Yanga, SAR (Tondo Chapter)	22 All day March 22, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Grace Katada, SAR (Puerto Princesa Chapter) Sis. Rose Mary Chua, SAR (Talisay Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Felicitas Aquino, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Lina Ferrer, SAR	23 All day March 23, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Teodulo Hayahay Sis. Milagros Renes, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Sis. Fe Josefa Asuncion, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) Sis. Ma. Luisa Salvador (San Carlos Chapter / Trial) Nichole Cabamo (RAY-Laray) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Cecilia Salgado, AR +Sr. Concepcion Reston, AR	24 All day March 24, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Christopher Gaspar Sis. Clemencia Luces, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Elpidia Abasolo, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Nelida Mendoza (Miranila Chapter / Trial) Sis. Hedelita Diaz, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Lydia Rivera, SAR (Tondo Chapter) +Sis. Adela Jaca, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	25 All day March 25, 2023 EARTH HOUR: 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. BIRTHDAY Sis. Anunciacion Yballe, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Ann Marjorie Ricarte, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Lourdes Serrano, SAR (Manila Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Purificacion del Espiritu Santo, AR +Sr. Magdalena Salgado, AR
26 All day March 26, 2023 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT BIRTHDAY Sis. Gloria Mempin, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Felicitas Calopez, SAR (Talisay Chapter) +Sis. Alice Banares, SAR (Tondo Chapter)	27 All day March 27, 2023 BIRTHDAY Bro. Edward de Silva, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Josefina Magalit, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Alberta Lastimado, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Bro. Samuel Celerino Favila (Puerto Princesa Chapter / Trial) Aira Joy Legaspi (RAY-Talisay)	28 All day March 28, 2023 PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE MISSIONS BIRTHDAY Sr. Agustina Santos, AR Sr. Dorothy Aguila, AR Sis. Virginia Lazaro, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Bro. Reynaldo Aparicio, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Lilibeth Fuertes, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Brenda Villafuerte, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Gregoria de San Jose, AR + Sis. Rufina Jadraque, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)	29 All day March 29, 2023 BIRTHDAY Ma. Katrina Rodriguez (RAY-Miranila) PRESBYTERAL ANNIVERSARY (2008-2023) Fray William Cordero, Jr. Fray Roderick Deguit DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Crispin Balingit, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)	30 All day March 30, 2023 GENERALATE: ONLINE MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON THE PROTECTION OF MINORS & VULNERABLE ADULTS BIRTHDAY Mo. Maxima Pelaez, AR Sis. Juanita Pajarillaga, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Jelly Masongsong, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Roberta Panoncillo, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)	31 All day March 31, 2023 BIRTHDAY Br. John Reynan Rosie (aspirant) Sr. Anastacia Fangon, AR

Reflection on the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

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Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR

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