Daily Readings - Sun Feb 20 2022
1 Samuel
2So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.7So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him.8Then said Abishai to David, "God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice."9But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?"12So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.13Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them.22And David answered and said, "Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it.23The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD's anointed.24Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation."25Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
1 Corinthians
45Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.46But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.47The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.48As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.49Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
Luke
27"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.29To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.30Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.31And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.32"If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.34And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.36Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.37"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;38give, 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."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on mercy, compassion, and the transformative power of living as children of God. The first reading from 1 Samuel 26 recounts David's decision to spare Saul's life, despite having the perfect opportunity to end the pursuit. This act of mercy is rooted in David's deep respect for Saul as God's anointed and his trust in divine justice. The second reading from 1 Corinthians 15 contrasts Adam, the earthly man, with Christ, the heavenly one, highlighting the spiritual transformation we undergo through Christ. The Gospel from Luke 6 captures Jesus' teachings on the mount, urging us to love our enemies, be merciful, and live by the golden rule.
These readings interweave a common theme of transcending human instincts to embody God's nature. David's mercy, Paul's emphasis on spiritual transformation, and Jesus' call to love all reflect a higher standard of living. They remind us that our actions should mirror God's compassion and justice, trusting in His plan rather than our own desires for revenge or retribution.
In our daily lives, these teachings challenge us to forgive, to seek good for all, and to trust in God's providence. Let us strive to live as children of God, reflecting His mercy and love in our interactions. By doing so, we not only transform our own lives but also become instruments of God's grace in the world around us.