7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

KING SAUL'S SPEAR

Saul was the first king of Israel. He was anointed by the prophet-priest Samuel about 1020 B.C. Samuel probably thought that he could easily control the new ruler, but Saul gradually began to take over religious duties as well. The priest decided to replace him with the young David. When the king discovered this he became jealous of David and tried to kill him. David escaped and fled with Saul in pursuit. The youth became a guerilla leader and hid in the desert. On one occasion he discovered the king sleeping with his soldiers. Instead of killing his foe, he demonstrated respect. This event is a reflection of Jesus' instruction to love one's enemy.

THE LAST ADAM

Paul has been dealing with a local issue in Corinth. There is a group that has denied the need for a physical resurrection. They are influenced by Greek philosophy, which believes that anything material is of no value. To illustrate his belief that the body is important, he makes a connection between the first human being and Jesus. Adam was created from the dust of the earth. In fact, the word "adam" means "dust". Paul notes that though Jesus came from heaven, he became human--the new Adam. We have all descended from the first human, but now we begin to share divine life through the ultimate human: Jesus, the son of God.

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

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