As we hear our continuing story from first Samuel, we hear about David having the opportunity to kill Saul when 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 in not killing him brings to mind how often revenge is a main motivators in our world today.
When I taught high school in Greenville in the Mississippi Delta for 4 years, I realized how revenge and saving face drove how they lived and how they viewed the world. I saw this reality very negatively affect the lives of the students time and again. 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 anything, 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.
How do we treat those with whom we don't get along? Who do we consider our enemies? These are perhaps good questions we can ask ourselves as we hear the story of David and Saul today. On Monday, January 22, we will be recognizing a day that has been declared a day of penance by the US bishops in recognition of the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in our country. Even though we are not in the season of Advent or Lent, the liturgical color for that day is purple. Every year, pro-life groups here in Mississippi sponsor a candlelight vigil service at the state capitol building in Jackson centered around this anniversary. This vigil stands witness to what is still going on in our country today regarding abortion. May we use God's mercy and love to be witnesses for life as we advocate and to stand up for God's laws and commandments and the eternal truths for which they stand.
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