“Do unto others…..”

Today is the sixth of seven Sundays of ordinary time between the seasons of Christmas and Lent.  (Lent begins on March 6^th). 

Our gospel is the second part of the “Sermon on the Plain” from the sixth chapter of Luke’s gospel. 

Do you remember the “blessed ares” and “woe to’s” from last week?  Today we will hear more familiar quotes from Jesus’ preaching such as:  “Love your enemies” and “Do unto others.”

For the second week we will sing Matt Maher’s “Unwavering” at offertory. The verses paraphrase the gospel while the refrain speaks of God’s unwavering love manifest in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Note: Unwavering is not found in the hymnal.  It is printed in today’s bulletin.)

We will also be repeating Ben Walther’s A Place at Your Table. The refrain of this song speaks to an element of Luke’s gospel known as the “Lucan reversal.”  This has to do with the shift of circumstances between life on earth and life in God’s Salvation.  An example of this reversal of fortunes can be found in “The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.  (Luke 16:19-31)

Consider the words of the refrain to Unwavering:

Here in your presence the greatest are least,

The burdened find rest and the hungry can feast.

By love we’re invited, here mercy prevails,

God, in your goodness, we share a place at your table.

From     A Place at your Table Ben Walther

In honor of the good priests and musicians who been the foundation of my ministry,

Bruce

PS

Click on this link to see a great quote from the cover of this week's bulletin.  

PSS

Have you seen the new parish website?  It is excellent and is always changing.  Go to www.stmarysnutley.org  to find slideshows of pictures.