Sunday, February 23, 2025

Our first reading this weekend is part of the dramatic story of the relationship between King Saul and David.  Saul was searching for David to kill him out of jealousy: David had been very successful in battle and the people were praising him too much for Saul’s fragile ego.  Saul was sleeping when David came upon him.  Instead of killing him, as he was urged to do by others, David simply took proof that he had the opportunity and thus was able to convince Saul that he was not out to overthrow him and peace was restored.
 
This is a perfect example of the Gospel message to love your enemy and do good to those who persecute you.  How was David able to respond this way?
 
First, David had self-control.  The natural, human reaction would be to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to get rid of someone who was trying to kill you.  But David was able to handle his emotions: he controlled them, they didn’t control him.
 
Second, once David controlled his human reactions, he was able to have mercy and forgiveness.  If he thought only of himself, he would have killed Saul: he would be safer and he would become king.  That would be a great win, if David thought only of himself.  But he was able to think of the other and act in a loving way.  It was a win-win: Saul was spared and David was a more honorable person.
 
My friends, David was living as Jesus tells us to in our Gospel: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…Do to others as you would have them do to you…Stop judging and you will not be judged.  Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven.
 
This is not easy.  We will never be perfect at doing it.  But, we need to always be striving to improve.  I invite us to reflect on how we are doing and then ask God to help us grow.  God bless.
 
Church sign: When you hold grudges, your hands aren’t free to catch blessings.