Daily Readings - Sun Feb 20 2022
1 Samuel
2So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search there for David.7So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.8Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."9But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?12So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.13Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them.22"Here is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it.23The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed.24As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble."25Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
1 Corinthians
45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a lifegiving spirit.46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
Luke
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.31Do to others as you would have them do to you.32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured 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.