Friday, January 21, 2022

Revenge


The WORD today reminds me that God does not want us to take revenge at others. 

I saw a sign in a church some time ago that says: "Take care of your valuables, other people may think it's God's answer to their prayers". It may seem funny, but there is a lot of truth in it. We have lots of prayers, and most of them are financial. And when we come across financial things, money, jewelry, and other valuables, there may be a temptation to think that it should not be returned to the owner for it may be God's answer to our prayers. This is similar to what happened to David. 

In the first reading, David was in hiding because Saul wanted him dead. And when he got the opportunity to kill him, people told him God delivered him to his hands. It is one way of looking at it, but that is similar to taking things not yours thinking they are God's answer to your prayers. God never wants violence, and his ways are different and peaceful. And he does not want us to take revenge on others, no matter how unfair we were treated. How David responded to the situation should inspire us. 

The state of our heart determines how we respond to situations. 

Last Tuesday we saw that God chose David because of his heart. and today we see that heart is still in the right place. Instead of taking advantage and taking revenge, David did the right thing for God is with him. He was good with God. And God rewarded him by making Saul change his heart towards David. 

There are times we are faced with similar situations. There are times we are given a choice, and seem to have God answer our prayers. However, we should remember that God answers our prayers in the right way, and we should not resort to bad things in doing God's will. 

What are my prayers? What are the things I really want in life? Do I know how to tell if something is from God or not, even if it seems to help us achieve what we want? How can I strengthen my relationship with God? 

May we be inspired by David's heart and be guided by our decisions. 

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I don't act like David and instead think like his men. Sorry for understanding things in a worldly way. Sorry for letting emotions take over instead of a peaceful heart. Help me have a heart like David who clearly sees your ways. Help me live right and pleasing to you. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflections:


Daily Readings

Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Lectionary: 315

Reading I

Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel 
and went in search of David and his men 
in the direction of the wild goat crags.
When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, 
which he entered to relieve himself.
David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

David’s servants said to him, 
“This is the day of which the LORD said to you, 
‘I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; 
do with him as you see fit.’”
So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s mantle.
Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off 
an end of Saul’s mantle.
He said to his men,
“The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, 
the LORD’s anointed, as to lay a hand on him, 
for he is the LORD’s anointed.”
With these words David restrained his men 
and would not permit them to attack Saul.
Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, 
“My lord the king!”
When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul:
“Why do you listen to those who say, 
‘David is trying to harm you’?
You see for yourself today that the Lord just now delivered you 
into my grasp in the cave.
I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead.
I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, 
for he is the LORD’s anointed and a father to me.’
Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold.
Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, 
see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion.
I have done you no wrong, 
though you are hunting me down to take my life.
The LORD will judge between me and you, 
and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case.
I shall not touch you.
The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’
So I will take no action against you.
Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel?
Whom are you pursuing?  A dead dog, or a single flea!
The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you.
May he see this, and take my part,
and grant me justice beyond your reach!”
When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, 
“Is that your voice, my son David?”
And Saul wept aloud.
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.”

Responsorial Psalm

R.        (2a)  Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
            for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
            till harm pass by.
R.        Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
I call to God the Most High,
            to God, my benefactor.
May he send from heaven and save me;
            may he make those a reproach who trample upon me;
            may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
R.        Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
            above all the earth be your glory!
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
            and your faithfulness to the skies.
R.        Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted 
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach 
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter; 
James, son of Zebedee, 
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, 
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; 
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him

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