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January 22, 2016

In the first reading, David spares the life of King Saul who was hellbent on killing him. Saul acknowledges that David is a better man and will become king someday. Then he stops hunting David and returns to his palace.

How many of us have had this experience of being maltreated but instead of taking revenge, we forgave our enemies? For sure we all have people who don't like us, are jealous of us or cannot stand us. Yet do we have Christian love to forgive them? Do we want to forgive them? And in the first place, why should we forgive them? The answer is -- because Jesus had first forgiven our sins. Jesus has erased the memory of our wrongdoings and has given us the grace of repentance and a change of life.

Some of our enemies will never change, but if we see them as people whom God has also forgiven, then who are we not to do so ourselves?

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 1

<< Friday, January 22, 2016 >>

St. Vincent

1 Samuel 24:3-21
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Psalm 57:2-4, 6, 11

Mark 3:13-19
Similar Reflections

RESPECTING GOD'S CHOICES

David said: "I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.' " â€”1 Samuel 24:11

David spared Saul's life when he had a perfect chance to kill his tormentor. Now David was a seasoned warrior who had killed many opponents (e.g. see 1 Sm 23:5; 30:17ff). The only reason David held back his hand was because Saul carried the anointing of leadership from God. Saul had been chosen by God (1 Sm 10:1).

Jesus "summoned the men He Himself had decided on" (Mk 3:13). It wasn't that the twelve apostles were especially qualified for their position; their only qualification was that they were chosen by the Lord (Jn 15:16). Saul looked like a poor choice by God. Likewise, it often appeared that the Lord had chosen His apostles poorly. They made mistake after mistake, and at times completely failed to understand Jesus (Mk 6:52).

It's not unusual to hear people remark today that church leaders are incompetent. These leaders may seem foolish to some, but "God's folly is wiser than men, and His weakness more powerful than men" (1 Cor 1:25). God speaks through those He anointed and chose (Jn 15:16). For example, if God wishes to speak about marriage through celibate men, that doesn't make His message any less truthful. It is arrogance to assert that God is not powerful enough to lead and teach accurately through those He chooses, even those who appear unqualified. May all God's people imitate David, who so respected God's choice of Saul that he preferred to be persecuted rather than do any harm to the Lord's anointed (1 Sm 24:14).

Prayer: Lord, may I walk by faith in You, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).

Promise: "In the shadow of Your wings I take refuge, till harm pass by."â€”Ps 57:2

Praise: St. Vincent did not tickle ears in his teaching (2 Tm 4:3), but proclaimed the truth of God's Word and let it change hearts.