Authority anointed and mercy

The commentary and the life of Saint Francisde Sales who is remembered in the liturgy today are linked to the events in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary through the practice of mercy. FriarJude Winkler tells of the murderous paranoia of Saul who is terrified that David will take his throne. The overkill of the force Saul assembles to hunt down David reflects this mania. David finds that the Lord delivers his enemy Saul to him so that David has the opportunity to kill Saul. David extends mercy to his enemy and spares his life. Friar Jude sees in some other lifetime actions of David that he respects the rights and authority of the anointed. We understand that anointing conveys special authority and responsibility to people from God. The Gospel from Mark details the twelve to whom Jesus chooses to give “ambassadorial” responsibility to represent Him. The Lord, who sees the heart when he chooses, as in the anointing of David, does not see people as we see them. The selection of these twelve would not be the recommendation of the human resource department. The biography of the 16^th century priest, bishop and Doctor of the Church, Francis de Sales  tells of a transformed person who uses the talents, responsibility and authority given him  to lead the community through living meekness and gentleness as he struggled with his  tendency to anger and wrote books and articles that moved others toward deeper relationship with Jesus. He collaborated with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety and mutual charity. These acts of mercy  link St Francis de Sales to the reflection of Bob Whipple, Jr, of Creighton University, who urges us to act toward others with the restraint, respect and Love required by Mercy.