As we hear our continuing story from the first book of Samuel, we hear about David having the opportunity to kill Saul as Saul enters the cave where David is hiding. Saul is intent on killing David himself when he enters that cave. The mercy that David showed to Saul when he had the chance to kill him brings to mind how often revenge and vengeance are main motivators in our society today. Especially when I was teaching high school students in Greenville, I realized how revenge and saving face drove how they lived their lives and viewed the world. Many of these students would have been unable to show the restraint that David displayed in cutting off the end of Saul's garment and then pointing out to Saul that he could have easily killed him. Yet, even if David had not confronted Saul and had simply allowed Saul to walk out of the cave unharmed without saying a word, the Lord would have known the reality of the situation, and in the end, it is the Lord who judges us and no one else.
St Francis de Sales is the saint of the day. Born in the 16th century in the kingdom of Savoy near Geneva Switzerland in an area that was greatly affected by the Protestant Reformation. As a priest, he worked for peace and understanding with the people of that region. I want to end with a prayer of his that very much speaks to us in the context of today’s first reading and in the age we live in today, an age of a lot of fear and uncertainty, which perhaps is why so many people lash out in revenge and anger so often:
Do not look forward in fear to the changes and chances of this life;
Rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise,
God, to whom you belong will in His love enable you to profit by them.
He has guided you thus far in life, and He will lead you safely through all trials;
and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. Amen.
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