The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to integrate Jesus' call to love our enemies within the chaos, polarization, and transactional environment of our time.
The reading from the First Book of Samuel describes an encounter of David with Saul.
* [26:1] The second account of David sparing Saul’s life; cf. note on 24:1.
* [26:12] Deep slumber: as in Gn 2:21; 15:12; Is 29:10. The Lord aids David’s foray into Saul’s camp and allows David to come and go undetected. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 103 is a thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.
* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians contrasts the Physical and the Spiritual.
* [15:45] The analogy of the first man, Adam, is introduced by a citation from Gn 2:7. Paul alters the text slightly, adding the adjective first, and translating the Hebrew ’ādām twice, so as to give it its value both as a common noun (man) and as a proper name (Adam). 1 Cor 15:45b then specifies similarities and differences between the two Adams. The last Adam, Christ (cf. 1 Cor 15:21–22) has become a…spirit (pneuma), a life-principle transcendent with respect to the natural soul (psychē) of the first Adam (on the terminology here, cf. note on 1 Cor 3:1). Further, he is not just alive, but life-giving, a source of life for others.
* [15:49] We shall also bear the image: although it has less manuscript support, this reading better fits the context’s emphasis on futurity and the transforming action of God; on future transformation as conformity to the image of the Son, cf. Rom 8:29; Phil 3:21. The majority reading, “let us bear the image,” suggests that the image of the heavenly man is already present and exhorts us to conform to it. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches Love for Enemies and condemns Judging Others.
* [6:27–36] See notes on Mt 5:43–48 and Mt 5:48. (Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
* [5:43–48] See Lv 19:18. There is no Old Testament commandment demanding hatred of one’s enemy, but the “neighbor” of the love commandment was understood as one’s fellow countryman. Both in the Old Testament (Ps 139:19–22) and at Qumran (1QS 9:21) hatred of evil persons is assumed to be right. Jesus extends the love commandment to the enemy and the persecutor. His disciples, as children of God, must imitate the example of their Father, who grants his gifts of sun and rain to both the good and the bad. (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Tom Quinn comments that every Christian knows that Jesus concisely tells us to love one another and to react to hate or injustice with love.
Jesus knows that this is difficult. He sets an extremely high standard to be a disciple, a Christian. We are instructed not merely to do or love what is natural for us, but rather, to fight against our often reflexive human tendencies, e.g., to fight back (even vengefully); to be selfish and proud; to hate those who hate us; to hate even those who do not hate us. Jesus reminds us that “even sinners love those who love them.” This gospel is not a puzzle. It is an instruction on Christian living. If we follow it, Jesus tells us, “Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he Himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” (Quinn, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “The virtue of charity,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"Love is commanded when it is said, 'Love your enemies' so that the saying which was uttered already before the church may be fulfilled: 'Set in order love in me' (Song of Solomon 2:4). For love is set in order when the precepts of love are formed. See how it began from the heights and cast the law underneath the backs of the Gospel's blessing. The law commands the revenge of punishment (see Exodus 21:23-36). The gospel bestows love for hostility, benevolence for hatred, prayer for curses, help for the persecuted, patience for the hungry and grace of reward. How much more perfect the athlete who does not feel injury!" (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.73) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 6:27-38 challenges us to consider the mercy of God our heavenly Father.
When you run into “sinners” today, consider the Father’s mercy and then share it generously. Speak kindly in response to harsh words. Bless the person you disagree with. Forgive the aggressive driver in the next lane. Jesus promises that if you offer mercy to those around you, “Your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High” (Luke 6:35).
God is the perfect judge. We can trust him to do his job. He knows when to be merciful, and he knows when to bring correction. He doesn’t need our help! Instead, we can be merciful, we can forgive, and we can glorify our heavenly Father as we do.
“Father, help me to be a reflection of your merciful love today.” (Meditation on Luke 6:27-38, 2025)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the decision of David and Abishai not to take the life of Saul as possible propaganda during the reign of David to protect his status as an anointed leader. Paul presents our resurrection as a spiritual body to the Corinthians. Friar Jude comments on our challenge to treat actions as evil but not the person for whom we seek healing and for whom we are grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that many Westerners, including Christians, are rediscovering the value of nonduality: a way of thinking, acting, reconciling, boundary-crossing, and bridge-building based on the inner experience of God and God’s Spirit moving in the world. The “trans-alpine” Church (meaning those on the other side of the Alps from Rome) always enjoyed a certain degree of freedom from Roman oversight and control, simply by reason of distance, and drew upon different sources and inspirations than did the “cis-alpine” Church of Italy, France, and Spain. The Rhineland Mystics were outstanding in their courage and very creative viewpoints.
Some of the most familiar Rhineland mystics would include the Benedictines Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) and Gertrude the Great (1256–1302); the Beguine Mechthild of Magdeburg (c. 1212–c. 1282); the Dominicans, including Meister Eckhart (c. 1260–1327), Johannes Tauler (c. 1300–1361), and Henry Suso (1295–1366); and Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464). A more recent Rhineland mystic I’d like to include is psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961), who acknowledged the influence of Hildegard, Eckhart, and Nicholas of Cusa.
After the Protestant Reformation, the mystical path was largely mistrusted. Some would even say it was squelched because of Martin Luther’s (1483–1546) emphasis on the Bible as the only source of knowledge about God (sola Scriptura). Personal spiritual experience was considered unimportant and suspect. To be fair, Luther’s contributions led Christians to an early stage “rational” use of the Scriptures which was a necessary corrective to Catholic over-spiritualization. But within Luther’s own reformed tradition, profound mystics arose such as the German shoemaker Jacob Boehme (1575–1624) and the inventor Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772). (Rohr, n.d.)
We are confronted at times with people who behave as examples of hatred and dismissal of others and we ask the Spirit to inform struggle with how to respond as followers of Jesus who shared table with those who sought to execute Him.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?27
Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?
Meditation on Luke 6:27-38. (2025, February 23). The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/23/1209021/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15?45
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/26?2
Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1
Quinn, T. (2025, February 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022325.html
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Mystics of the Rhine Valley. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.companionsofstanthony.org/pray/reflections/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Good to Those Who Hate You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb23
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