Sunday – 7th Week in Ordinary Time C

Published on 22 February 2025 at 13:05

Today’s readings invite us to contemplate our journey in combatting the ways of the world so as to remain respectful to God’s desires and will. In a world marked by conflict, rivalry, and hostility, we are called not only to be different but to embody the radical love of Christ in our actions and choices.

Our first reading from 1 Samuel provides us with a profound lesson in mercy and respect for God’s anointed. David, who has been pursued relentlessly by King Saul, finds him sleeping, vulnerable, and within David’s reach. Abishai urges David to strike Saul down, to eliminate the threat once and for all. Yet, David chooses not only to be merciful, but fearing God who has anointed Saul his king, he dared not strike him down, understanding that harming him would constitute a transgression against God’s will. David’s respect for Saul, despite Saul's intent to destroy him, speaks volumes about the kind of character we are called to cultivate. Even in our struggles with those who oppose us or seek to harm us, we must hold tight to our commitment to integrity, justice, and respect for God's purpose.

The second reading from 1 Corinthians challenges us to recognize our duality. We are earthly beings shaped by sin, yet through Christ, we can aspire to possess within us life-giving spirits. Paul speaks of two Adams—the first, representing our earthly nature, and the second, representing our heavenly potential. Understanding that we are both earthly and heavenly compels us to live in a way that honors the divine within us, confronting worldly ways with a commitment to what is holy so that our decisions can be in conformity with God’s will and pleasing to him. I often think that this is what made the great saints different and what gave them the ability to work outstanding and even shocking miracles… their day-to-day fidelity to God’s will. So pleased was he with them, that he granted their every prayer, even if it was to raise a corpse from the dead, or freeze in motion a person falling from a roof. We have saints who have been honoured by God in the most beautiful of ways, for having honoured him.

In today’s Gospel from Luke, we have a chilling challenge from our Lord. “Love your enemies,” He commands us, pushing us to do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. This radical call to love transforms our relationships and interactions with others, inviting us to rise above the instinct for revenge and to reflect God's extravagant love toward the ungrateful and the wicked. Jesus teaches us that our love must transcend mere reciprocity; it must become unconditional.

In a world that often seems obsessed with self-interest and division, the challenge to love our enemies is daunting. Yet, this very challenge is where our faith is tested and strengthened. Christ calls us to be countercultural, to demonstrate love that disrupts cycles of hatred and retribution. This is our mission, and it is made possible by the mercy we have first received.

As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: how can we embody the mercy and love of Christ in our daily lives? Who are the ‘Sauls’ in our lives—the individuals we struggle to respect or love? How can we consciously choose mercy in our circumstances? And importantly, how can we bring the image of the heavenly Adam, the transformative spirit of Christ, into our interactions, thus becoming instruments of peace in a tumultuous world?

You may feel alone in the fight, but the Lord has always shown us, that we are never alone. May our Guardian Angel give us signal graces of this truth, and our Mother Mary continue to lovingly accompany us on our journey. The Lord Bless you and shed his light upon you. Praised be the Lord. Go in peace.


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