[1 Samuel 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23; Psalm 102; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38]

At first glance the readings today are speaking about how we treat our enemies, but if we examine the Gospel in particular a little closer, what we have is a series of practical examples of how we should live out the Lord’s Prayer.

If we are asking the Lord to give us this day our daily bread, it is only right that if we see someone without, then we should share what we have. If someone offends us, then we are called not to retaliate, but to treat them with love. Jesus tells us that how we treat other people is how God will treat us. If we expect God’s mercy, then we should extend mercy to those in need.

We see in the first reading how David comes across Saul; who is intent on killing David; David finds Saul asleep and vulnerable. Abishi, tries to persuade David to kill him, bit David resists the temptation and reminds Abishi that Saul was anointed by God. David brings peace between himself and Saul, not through violence, but through diplomacy. He ensures that Saul is made aware that he could have killed him, but chose not to, he also emphasised that he accepted that Saul was anointed by God.

In the second reading, St Paul is reminding us that we are all born to be like Adam. We are born as sinners; we are prone to sinning. As Jesus is the new Adam, we can, by following Him, become less like the old Adam and more like Jesus. By listening to the Word of God and following His teachings, we become more like the image of Christ. By extending God’s mercy to those we meet, we become Christ like, and when we finally meet Jesus face to face then He will recognise us, because we are merciful and loving, just like He is.

Three years ago, when I last wrote to these scripture readings I wrote “When I think of this reading, I have to ask myself who do I see as enemies?  I have never been a soldier, so have never been to war; therefore, I have never been in the position of David sparing someone’s life.  But I have been in the position to potentially save other’s lives and not always taken them.  I do not stop at every homeless person on the street to ask how they are; I justify to myself that I can’t help everyone; that perhaps someone else will help them.  But is this just an excuse?  What motivates me or prompts me to stop at some and not with others?  I need to look at that and pray about it.” Three years later, my behaviour in this hasn’t changed much, I am still selective in who I will stop and help. Looking at the Gospel today, Jesus says “Give to everyone who begs from you.” My rational tells me that if I was to do that, I would soon be begging on the street myself. But Jesus responds to that even before we get the words out; Jesus says “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Jesus isn’t asking us to be selective or irresponsible here. Jesus is reminding us that everything we have is from His bounty; whether we think we have earned everything we have or not. We only wake up each morning because God allows it. Therefore, when we are able to help another living being we should help them. We are all made by the same God. We all breath the same air and need the same water to drink, we all need to eat to survive, we all need to be sheltered from the elements at some time or another.

This is challenging, and takes us out of our comfort zone, but it is essential if we are to follow the teachings of Christ. Christianity is not a faith found solely in books, it is a faith which compels us to respond and love our neighbour, and sometimes our neighbour might be our enemy too.

As we approach the start of Lent in the next few weeks I will be praying and seeking guidance on what penance I shall be doing throughout the 40 days. The scriptures this week are a reminder for me that I don’t always help when I can, I help when I choose to. My challenge is to move to a position where I help whenever I can and to be more aware of who needs help as I make my way through the day.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 210-211: God of mercy
CCC 1825, 1935, 1968, 2303, 2647, 2842-2845: forgiveness of enemies
CCC 359, 504: Christ as the New Adam

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • The Basingstoke Winter Night Shelter as it continues to support the homeless in our town, which is now entering its last week.
  • Fr John Chadwick, who is ill at this time.
  • All the deacons and their wife’s who are in Rome for the Jubilee events for deacons.

Deacon Tony, 19th February 2025