Daily Readings - Sun Feb 23 2025
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, trust in God, and living a life guided by the Spirit. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of David sparing King Saul's life, despite having the opportunity to kill him. This act of mercy is significant because David recognizes Saul as the Lord's anointed, choosing to trust in God's plan rather than taking matters into his own hands. This teaches us the value of patience and faith, even in the face of adversity.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians contrasts the first Adam with the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Paul explains that while the first Adam brought death, the second Adam brings life through the Spirit. This theological reflection invites us to consider our own identity and purpose. We are called to live not as earthly beings but as spiritual ones, carrying the image of heaven. This means embracing a life of grace and mercy, just as Christ has shown us.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus' teachings on love and mercy. Jesus challenges us to go beyond conventional wisdom by loving our enemies, being generous, and avoiding judgment. He emphasizes that our actions should be motivated by a desire to reflect God's mercy. This teaching is both radical and transformative, urging us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace a life of selfless love.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of mercy and trust in God. David's mercy towards Saul, Paul's contrast between Adam and Christ, and Jesus' teachings all point to the importance of living a life that reflects God's love and mercy. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when it is challenging, and to extend mercy and kindness to others, even when they may not deserve it. By doing so, we become true children of God, living as He has taught us.
The moral lesson here is clear: our actions should be guided by love, mercy, and trust in God. Just as David trusted God's plan, and just as Christ showed us the way of love, we too can live lives that reflect these values. Let us strive to be instruments of God's mercy in the world, trusting that He will guide us and provide for us. In doing so, we not only follow His will but also become beacons of hope and love to those around us.