7th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)

February 22,2004

by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Last week, St. Luke told us in the gospel that Jesus came down from the mountain, and observing thousands in various needs, delivered a sermon on mercy and blessing. Being the physician that sees many things, Luke added a warning to those who are inattentive.

Today Jesus gives us a real Lenten diet to chew on; we must continue to be merciful, loving and kind, even to those who are ungrateful and malicious towards us. We must not condemn or judge or it will be measured back in the same measure. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. This is no easy challenge.

As we look at the reading from Samuel, we see an example of this challenge. David had distinguished himself militarily as a youth and found favor in the royal household. He was married to the daughter of King Saul. He was deeply devoted to the king’s son and heir. But Saul mistrusted David as a threat. He pursued him relentlessly and unjustly, intent on destroying him.

When David finds himself in an opportunity to end the misery of his oppressor, he resists the temptation to kill. David was no saint. Later he would kill one of his best generals because an adulterous affair resulted in conception.

But more than once David resisted the opportunity to harm Saul, guided by a force greater than the human desire for retribution and revenge. In so far as we follow this command, we bear in our own selves the likeness of God who is unconditional love/mercy.

Paul speaks to the Corinthians: We, who are ‘only human’ like the first Adam, we are also called to bear the likeness of the man from heaven, the second Adam, who redeemed us and made us his own. When we make mistakes or fail even willfully and grievously, we tend to excuse ourselves saying we are "only human," which is to say, that we are weak and fallible; although that’s probably not what we want it to mean.

But the truth is that I’m not alright. You’re not alright. But that’s alright. Unless you want to be perfect and be God. Only God is perfect. It is perfectly human to be imperfect.

The people to whom Jesus addresses these words today are not philosophers, kings or presidents, but ordinary people like you and I. Though our hands may itch to pay-back, there is no pay-back in Jesus’ vocabulary, to exact an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth. That is not his standard. Jesus does not keep ledgers. His business is one of mercy.

When we set out to mend broken relationships, there may be some things that are beyond our control. Some may refuse to accept forgiveness or reconciliation, even when we try our best to make amends.

This may leave us feeling like victims. Once again we are struck with the pain of unresolved issues. We may be left with negative feelings, but Jesus says: If you are willing, the key step of recovery is to love your enemies and do good to them.

When we allow ourselves to be discipled by Jesus, then we no longer need to be controlled by other people’s dispositions and actions.

Even when we have done our best to make amends for the wrongs that we have done, the situation may not change. Even when we have come to terms with the wrongs that have been done against us, our feelings may not change. But we don’t have to be held captive by our feelings, or the feelings of others. We can choose to forgive and act in loving ways.

This will free us from being controlled by anyone other than God. As we choose to forgive others and do good to them, feelings will change with time. But if we wait for our feelings, we will never forgive or be forgiven.

To forgive is to be absolutely Divine, and to be imperfect is to be absolutely human. Isn’t life and God really wonderful!