Newsletter

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Gospel Reading

Luke 6:27-38

Jesus teaches his disciples to be merciful as God is merciful.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In Sunday's gospel reading is a continuation of the teaching that began in last Sunday's gospel. We continue to hear Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. Recall that in Luke's Gospel, this teaching is addressed to Jesus' disciples. This is in contrast to the parallel found in Matthew's Gospel, the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus' words are addressed to both the disciples and to the crowds.

These words from Jesus' teaching are familiar to us. They constitute the crux and the challenge of what it means to be a disciple: Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give to those who ask, do unto others, lend without expecting repayment, judge not lest you be judged.

There are several similarities between Luke's and Matthew's report of Jesus' great teaching. Both begin with the Beatitudes. Matthew includes nearly all the content that Luke does; the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel is longer than Luke's Sermon on the Plain. There are, however, differences in language and nuance. For example, Matthew presents this portion of the teaching as a contrast between Jesus' teaching and the teachings of the law and the prophets. This is in keeping with Matthew's concern to address his predominantly Jewish audience. It is likely that Luke omits this contrast because it was unnecessary for the Gentile believers for whom Luke is writing.

Another point of contrast between Matthew and Luke's presentation is the terminology. In Luke, Jesus contrasts the behaviour of his followers with the behaviour of “sinners.” In Matthew, Jesus contrasts the behaviour desired with the behaviour of tax collectors and Gentiles. Matthew concludes the teaching about love of enemies with the admonition to be perfect as God is perfect; Luke concludes by emphasising God's mercy.

In both Gospels, Jesus' words challenge those who would follow him to be more like God. God loves us beyond our expectations, beyond anything we can possibly imagine. In response to God's love, we are to love as God loves, beyond expectations and with a depth beyond imagining.

It's been a very busy start to the Term and I want to thank everyone for their patience, kindness and understanding as Omicron invades our environment. It is very challenging and distressing for people when we hear of cases in our community. St Mary's community has done what it is known for: taking care of those around us and making sure we are showing the love and compassion required.

To those classrooms that have received emails, please read carefully. The emails inform us of the close or casual contacts and what we are asking families to adhere to. Thankfully our staff are all wearing masks, with excellent hygiene practices.

We will continue to provide online learning for those children having to self-isolate.

No Hat No Play!

All children will need their hats to be outside. No Hat No Play. Children are asked to keep sunscreen in their bag and apply it when necessary during the day. We ask for your help and support with these requests. We also have sunscreen available in the classrooms and at 3 stations throughout the school during break times.

Contact Tracing

The following information is from the Ministry bulletin about the updates on contact tracing.

Updated information on contact tracing

Several key changes have been made to contact tracing processes in schools.

There is no longer a two-hour limit in situations where a positive case has been wearing a mask. Where the positive case has been wearing a mask, close contacts will only be identified where there may have been direct contact with respiratory secretions (for example, kissing, spitting, hongi, sharing cigarettes or vapes, singing, shouting, coughing, sneezing, contact sports or physical play in close proximity).