The Lord delivers every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I will not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.  

(1 Samuel 26:23) 

Luke 6:27-38

A most striking example of loving one’s enemy comes from the First Reading this week.

Saul had been pursuing David relentlessly. Jealous of the Lord’s favour over David, Saul wanted to kill him, and so David had been constantly running for fear of his life. One night, David seemed to get a lucky break. Coming upon Saul’s camp David and his relative found that Saul and his army lay fast asleep. Right next to Saul lay his spear and a jug. It would have taken just one quick, powerful blow, and Saul could have been killed with his own sword. Was God giving Saul into David’s hands? David’s hot-headed relative thought so. This could have ended David’s misery, or could it? David refused, choosing to rather quietly take the sword and jug and leave the camp. David would reveal to Saul the next morning that he had saved his life. 

David had good reason to feel aggrieved, and certainly, such a wonderful opportunity must have felt tempting. But David recognised that injustice did not entitle him to seek revenge. Two wrongs do not make a right. Saul was God’s anointed one, and even though he sinned, God loved Saul.

How often are we tempted to impose our own perceptions on God?

Do we sometimes claim something is God’s will because it is convenient?

Do we always remember to see the sinner as loved by God, or do we get caught up in their sin?

Reflections by Cherie-Lynn van der Merwe

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 
Amen.

The Prayer of St Francis 

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