The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Samuel 26:2, 7–9, 12–13, 22–23; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49 Luke 6:27–38. Before Jesus taught his disciples the importance of showing mercy, David put such a lesson into action when threatened by Saul. He and his comrade could have killed the king or taken him prisoner, but David ordered that his life be spared. Listening to today’s readings, let us listen for ways in which we can show mercy to those in need.

 



 

“To you who hear, I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Lk 6:27)

Out of curiosity, I wanted to see how AI works. So I asked, “Hey, AI, write a short story about getting even.” Within seconds, it was done as it was written.

“Jake had always been the quiet type, the kind of guy who let things slide. But after months of dealing with Todd—the office bully who took credit for his ideas, stole his lunch, and once even "accidentally" deleted an important report—Jake had had enough. So, he planned carefully.

First, he switched the sugar in Todd’s coffee stash with salt. The reaction was priceless—one spit-take later, Todd was ranting about “sabotage.” Next, Jake sent an anonymous email to HR detailing Todd’s habit of claiming other people’s work. By the end of the week, their boss was watching Todd like a hawk.

But the masterpiece? Todd had a big presentation, one he was sure would impress the higher-ups. The night before, Jake "accidentally" sent him an outdated draft of the report. When Todd proudly presented it, the errors were glaring.

Todd stammered through the meeting, red-faced and humiliated. And as Jake sat back, sipping his perfectly sweetened coffee, he couldn’t help but smile.

Justice had never tasted so good.

I have to admit, I enjoyed the story. The feeling of being happy for Jake was present. "Justice had never tasted so good." That is how AI works, and that is how we teach AI. To a certain extent, that story reflects how we often respond to life. "Justice had never tasted so good."
However, today’s Scripture readings invite us to reflect on something different, something that I believe our world desperately needs.

In the first book of Samuel, we encounter the story of David refusing to kill King Saul when he had the chance. Out of jealousy, envy, and insecurity, Saul wanted David dead. He saw David as a threat to his throne. But when David found himself with the perfect opportunity to take revenge, he chose differently. He chose life over death, mercy over justice. Most importantly, David honored God by not laying hands on His anointed one.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus opens his teaching with these words: “To you who hear, I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

While the world teaches one thing, Jesus offers another way. He does not ignore the reality of injustice but calls us to care for the less fortunate and work toward a better world for all. At the same time, Jesus challenges us on the deepest level of our hearts, calling us to personal reflection. What makes us unwilling to give? What makes us unable to forgive? What makes us desire revenge? Jesus provides a way to break the cycle of retaliation. He gives us the key to experiencing the Kingdom of God:

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging, and you will not be judged. Stop condemning, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will, in return, be measured out to you.” (Lk 6:37-38)

These words of Jesus may trouble our hearts, but they are what He asks us to hear and to practice. He promises a great reward—and He will always keep His promise.

Fr. Vien Nguyen, SDB
 Parochial Vicar
 
Mass Intentions For The Week
 
Sunday                            February 23, 2025
8:45     Joseph Leo Torre & Family + – Intention of Pope Francis
 10:15  Fr. Mario Rosso, SDB +
 12:00  GB DE Martini (a true sweetheart) + – Amanda Timko +
 5:00     Joseph Maggiora & the Maggiora Family + 

Monday                           February 24, 2025
 7:00     Birthday of Amelia DeNicolai +
 9:00     Carmela & Margaret Passanisi + – Healing Margaret Davis 

Tuesday                          February 25, 2025
 7:00     The DeNicolai Family +
 9:00     Joseph & Irene Bondanza + – Lisa Cobler + 

Wednesday                    February 26, 2025
 7:00     Thanksgiving Antonio & Lilian Sia Lu & Family
 9:00     Birthday of Fr. Mario Rosso, SDB + – Annette Crivello + 

Thursday                        February 27, 2025
 7:00     Fr. Dave Zunino, SDB +
 9:00     Gary Shelton + –Healing Fr. John Itzaina, SDB 

Friday                              February 28, 2025
 7:00     Thanksgiving Carlos & Frances Tia & Family
 9:00     The Sanguinetti Family + 

Saturday                          March 1, 2025
 7:30     Bill Marenco +
 9:00     Giuseppe & Angela Balistreri +
 5:00     Pietro, Giuseppa, & Vito Curreri & Gig Ghiglieri + 
  
 
Particular Items  

Archbishops Annual Appeal 2025! Our AAA for 2025 has begun. This year’s assessment is $65,600, a little lower than last year’s., which we did not quite make. Let’s make it this year. So far, one person has given $656—1%. Join the 1% club! But all amounts greatly appreciated.   

Bible Study with Fr. Vien! Every Thursday Fr. Vien will host weekly Bible Study at 7:00 PM. Come join with others and  deepen your understanding of the Word of God! 

Eucharistic Adoration & Confession/ Anointing of the Sick: We have Adoration & Confession every Friday, following the 7:00 AM Mass. And on the first Friday of the month we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass. 

玫瑰經 Chinese Apostolate First Sunday Rosary: The Apostolate meets every first Sunday of the month, following the 10:15 AM Mass, to pray the Rosary in the Don Bosco Room. 


CALLED TO LEAD Catholic Men’s Conference 2025: On March 8, 2025, at St. Pius Church, the Archdiocese of San Francisco hosts the San Francisco Bay Area Catholic Men's Conference The day starts at 8:30AM, and includes Mass with Archbishop Cordileone and great speakers. Cost is $50. Visit sfarch.org/event/catholic-mens-conference/

Requiem Mass for Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei 龚品梅: On the 25th Anniversary of his death, Archbishop Cordileone, joined by Cardinal Raymond Burke, will celebrate a Pontifical High Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Ignatius Cardinal Kung Pin-Mei. The Mass will be at 10:30 AM on March 15 at Star of the Sea Church, 8th Avenue & Geary, in San Francisco.  The heroic Cardinal Kung was the first Chinese Bishop of Shanghai, and he was imprisoned by the Communists for 30 years for resisting their attempts to control the Catholic Church in China, finally being released in 1986, although remaining under house arrest until 1988, the same year he settled in the U.S. Here is the Cardinal in a picture sometime in the 1990’s with our own heroic Fr. Mario Rosso, SDB. 

 
Mark your Calendars! & SAVE THE DATE! This year’s school Spring Fundraiser “The Greatest Show” will be on March 29 from 6:00-10:00 PM at  the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. Live auction, DJ, Dancing, Live Auction and more! Details and tickets may be found by visiting ssppevents.org/spring-gala 

Support the ONLY Catholic Healthcare in San Francisco at the Bella Primary Care Founders Gala: Celebrate Bella’s third year of Life-Affirming Catholic Healthcare on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center. 6:00 pm Cocktails | 7:00 PM Dinner. Proceeds from our gala will provide funding for our underinsured patients. For more info: bellafoundersgala.com
 
Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School & Pre-K Accepting Applications: Our K-8 Salesian school is accepting applications for this year and next. Please email Dr. Lisa Harris at the school at [email protected], or Barbara Simons at the Pre-K at [email protected] to learn more! 

Sponsor a Student! We are receiving more request for financial aid than ever before. The Salesians started by educating the children of the poor and we are not about to stop now—but like Don Bosco before us we need your help! We invite financially able parishioners to help with this ministry. Please call Fr. Tho at 415-421-0809 or Dr. Lisa Harris at 415-421-5219!
Want to go deeper in Salesian Spirituality? Founded by Don Bosco himself, the Salesian Cooperators are an association of Christians living in the world according to the Chrism of Don Bosco. A type of “third order,” the Cooperators also work on keeping the church beautiful, visits to the sick & elderly, and helping with any and all sorts of parish functions. The Cooperators always help when needed. Contact Frank Lavin at 415.310.8551 or [email protected].  

PLANNED GIVING One Charitable Gift, A Legacy of Faith: Consider listing Saints Peter and Paul as beneficiary in your Will (it’s advisable to have one). It preserves the mission and values of the church in its ministry. Call for information: Fr. Tho Bui 415-421-0809.
 
OUR JUBILEE YEAR!  

Our Centennial Celebration and Jubilee Year has begun! On November 9-10, 2024 we began the 100 Year Anniversary of Saints Peter and Paul Church.   What a great weekend! The Masses and the Renewal of Wedding Vows were holy and beautiful; both the Saturday and Sunday receptions were packed; the food was great, and the grace of God touched all! Go here for links to photos and videos. 
      
Remember, though, the Jubilee Celebration is for the whole year—see the indulgence granted to us by the Vatican at left! Let us take this year to gratefully reflect on the gifts given to us by God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; to honor those who have come before us, and to preserve our faith and our Church for our posterity!   
        
The Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome, charged with the granting of indulgences, has designated Saints Peter and Paul Church in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California as a Vatican recognized site for Plenary Indulgence and has granted a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful who truly repent and are driven by charity under these certain conditions from November 1, 2024 until November 1, 2025. A Plenary Indulgence may also apply, through the faithful’s own sufferings, to the Souls in Purgatory. 
          An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment for sin the guilt of which is already forgiven, which a properly disposed member of the Christian faithful obtains under certain conditions with the help of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies authoritatively the treasure of the satisfaction of Christ and the saints. Code of canon Law (can. 992). A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in a state of grace, have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.  You can download a flyer here on how to obtain this wonderful spiritual gift!    
 
Liturgical Calendar 
Sunday               23          The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday              24          Weekday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday             25          Weekday in Ordinary Time
Wednesday        26          Weekday in Ordinary Time
Thursday           27          Gregory of Narek; Abbot, Doctor
Friday                 28          Weekday in Ordinary Time
Saturday            01          Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sunday               02          The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Your gifts of February 15/16:           $2,737.
Goal:                                                $8,670.
Shortfall:                                           $6,933.
We are always in shortfall. Fr. Tho asks for your help Please consider donating an amount equal to a breakfast or lunch or movie ticket. Your parish needs & appreciates your support!