Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
We continue the saga of David and Saul with Saul gathering an army to search for and to kill David. But when David had the opportunity to strike first and kill Saul, he was remorseful and showed him mercy. In our lives, we might have moments in which we are persecuted, hated, or betrayed, but we should look to David’s example for guidance and take up our cross of persecution with patience, mercy, and love. We shouldn’t seek revenge against those who seek our harm, for as David quoted the old proverb, “From the wicked comes forth wickedness.”
Let us rather become the merciful and compassionate person from whom flows the Love and reconciliation of our beloved Jesus. Let us not return hate for hate and evil for evil but rather the Love of Christ that brings forth healing. Let us pray for our persecutors and not because we wish our persecution to end, for in our cross of persecution we receive the gift of showing forgiveness and love. No, we pray for them because we love them and wish them to be reconciled with Christ’s love and mercy so that, through that same love, we might journey together to eternal life.
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections