LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
Responsorial psalm: Ps 102(103):1-4, 8, 10, 12-13
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38.
Link to readings
The readings this week encourage us to be compassionate, towards ourselves, towards others, and in all that we do. In the First Reading, we see how David does not give way to revenge when he finds Saul asleep, vulnerable and under his power. David has a choice, and acts with loyalty and restraint. Saul has persecuted him, but David now spares his life because Saul is the Lord’s anointed one.
The Psalm is a song of praise, describing with gratitude God’s own compassion and love towards all of his children. St Paul (Second Reading) teaches us that although we are earthly by nature, by modelling ourselves on Christ, the second Adam, we receive his life-giving spirit.
All the readings prepare us for Jesus’ challenging teaching in the Gospel. Jesus encourages us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hurt us, to lend without expecting a reward, to love without counting the cost. This is the way Jesus and his Father love us.
As we ponder these texts as Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we may wish to pray particularly for a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness in our own lives, our communities, our country, and in all the situations of war, strife, injustice and suffering in our world.
PSALM 102 (103)
R./ The Lord is compassionate and gracious
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits.
It is the Lord who forgives all your sins,
who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with love and compassion.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our faults.
As far as the east is from the west
so far from us does he remove our transgressions.
As a father has compassion on his children,
the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him.
REFLECTION
As I prepare to pray, I sit quietly, taking a few deep breaths and asking the Spirit to help me pray, to lift up my soul. When I am ready, I read this psalm a couple of times.
The first verse sets the tone. I may wish to repeat it several times in praise and blessing; in gratitude and remembrance for all that I have received. As I continue to pray the psalm, for which divine attributes do I wish to give thanks in a personal way? For forgiveness, for healing and protection, for love and compassion . . .? Can I recall concrete examples of this in my own life?
God is not petty – he is slow to anger and rich in mercy. What graces do I wish to ask for? I turn to the Lord and speak to him from my heart. I bless his holy name and ask to share in his compassion and love.
GOSPEL
Luke 6: 27–38
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you; and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
‘Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.’
REFLECTION
I come to my place of prayer and take the time to settle, relax and become aware of being in God’s presence. When it seems appropriate, I take up today’s Gospel text and read it slowly. I may imagine myself sitting with the large crowd, hearing Jesus’s words for the first time. Perhaps this demanding teaching is new to me, and I can hear mutterings around me. What do I find most startling?
I consider my life, and what particularly challenges me – at home, at work, in my relationships with others? I ponder this and speak to the Lord. In what ways do I see his words offering freedom rather than being a burden? How can I respond?
Maybe I find myself in what seems an impossible situation. I turn to the Father asking him to be merciful to me, and to give me the grace to be forgiving and compassionate.
I end my prayer thanking the Father for all the goodness I have received, and praying that his love will permeate the world.
Courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach, Diocese of Wrexham