7th Sunday in Ordinary Time © INTRO: “Going the extra mile!” Have you ever dreaded going to some place or event, but after it was over you wished it had not ended??? Sometimes going the extra mile to do something we initially do not want to do can make an enormous difference in our lives. THIS A WHILE AGO… I am a bit tired after a long day and our classmates were having a gathering………… All the way over in ELYRIA!!!! I guess I am getting old, but, driving all that way, knowing I must drive all that same way back to CUYAHOGA FALLS was causing me to CANCEL and not attend. BUT being the “party animal that I am” (NOT REALLY) I went and as I got there, I was awarded with such a fun time…. all my old classmates were entertaining and the stories of “yester-year” brought back such good memories!!! I got to say “GOING THAT EXTRA MILE” literally to Elyria is what JESUS challenges us with in His discourse today!!! He says LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!! Come ON??? REALLY? Currently? I do not believe I have to get specific here about ENEMIES! When I did some reading on this SERMON, authors / scholars explained that although we may boast about “being His disciples” and have “CORRECT DOCTRINE” it may cause you and me to fall into the trap of only associating with those of similar ways and lifestyles. The EXTRA MILE HERE is BE CAREFUL of that …. as JESUS would associate with those of different opinions and ways of life BECAUSE ALL ARE CREATED IN HIS IMAGE and… it is easy to love those who love you! Again, the EXTRA MILE is for us to not separate ourselves from the differing crowds. Jesus GOES BEYOND what most moral teachers say. CONCLUSION Jesus simply calls for CHARITY, yet, not so simple to perform when we judge others’ opinions and situations! He calls for KINDNESS, soft-hearted words to all. Jesus wants all of us to lose that kind of “competitive behavior.” (I am better than them – my behavior, my opinions are better than theirs!). SO, my brothers and sisters, go the extra mile of putting away all superior thoughts of ourselves in comparison to others.