Daily Readings - Sun Feb 24 2019
1 Samuel
2Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:22And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.23The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed.24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.25Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
1 Corinthians
45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Luke
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Sermon
The readings today present us with powerful lessons about mercy, compassion, and the call to live according to a higher standard of love and justice. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, David is faced with the opportunity to kill Saul, his persecutor, but he chooses instead to spare his life. This act of restraint is not born of weakness but of a deep respect for God’s anointed and a commitment to trust in divine justice. David’s actions reveal a man who, despite being wronged, refuses to stoop to vengeance and instead leaves the matter in God’s hands. This is a profound example of mercy in action, even in the face of great provocation.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the theological truth of our nature and destiny. Paul contrasts Adam, the earthly man, with Christ, the heavenly man, emphasizing that just as we bear the image of the former, we are called to bear the image of the latter. This means living not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, embracing a life of holiness and love. The Gospel reading from Luke then takes this theological truth and makes it practical. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to treat others as we would want to be treated. He reminds us that true greatness is not in seeking revenge or returning evil for evil, but in imitating God’s mercy and generosity.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the transformative power of mercy and the call to live as children of the Most High. David’s refusal to harm Saul, Paul’s teaching on the new life in Christ, and Jesus’ command to love our enemies all challenge us to move beyond the cycle of retaliation and instead to embrace a way of life marked by forgiveness, compassion, and trust in God. In our daily lives, this means facing conflicts and difficulties with a spirit of humility and mercy, choosing to see others through the lens of God’s love rather than our own wounded pride. Let us strive to imitate God’s mercy, knowing that it is through such acts of love and forgiveness that we truly reflect the image of the heavenly man, Jesus Christ.