Second Friday of Ordinary Time

Saul then said to David: "You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day. And now, I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession."

It isn’t easy treating our enemies generously. It’s difficult to do good to those who have done evil to us. However, we are all asked to respect the dignity of others, no matter how much they might disrespect us. God asks all of us to do no harm to others. It isn’t our place to judge or punish, but rather to love unconditionally just as Jesus did. Only our Heavenly Father can judge the hearts of others and we disrespect Him when we try to take justice into our own hands. Instead of selfish retaliation, we are called to be generous to our enemies and let them go unharmed. Perhaps our example of kindness, will change our enemies’ hearts and make them realize the error of their ways, but even if it doesn’t then we can be secure in knowing that we turned the other cheek just as Jesus did and although the world might slap it... God will heal our temporary pain and replace it with eternal life in and with Him.

Who are the people we find it most difficult to love? Are we treating them generously and lovingly? How can we become more charitable to those who are unkind to us?

O Lord, grant us generous and merciful spirits.

Amen.