If You Want to Change the World, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (2025)
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C – Reflection
1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 (8a)
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Luke 6:27-38
February 23, 2025
Saul was envious of David. Saul was king but David received more praise. In his envy, Saul took “three thousand picked men of Israel, to search for David.” Saul wanted to kill David.
This can be a way people treat their enemies. If we want to change the world for the better, if we want to bring an end to wars and violence, hate and envy are not the answer. You cannot fight hate with hate.
If we really want to change the world for the better, if we really want to bring an end to wars and violence, Jesus has the solution. He says to us as his disciples, “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Jesus does not take up a sword against those who persecute him. He tells his disciples to not take up a sword against their opposition. One might think that it was easy for Jesus as the Son of God to not give into violence.
David gives us a human example of resisting violence. He knew Saul wanted to kill him. One night while Saul and his men were sleeping (the LORD had put them into a deep slumber), David walked right up to Saul’s side. David had the opportunity to kill Saul. Many people in those days would have said he would have been justified in killing Saul. They would have seen it as self-defense. David would not kill Saul.
Abishai, who accompanied David, said, “God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one trust of the spear.” David responded with the command, “Do not harm him, for who can lay hands on the Lord’s anointed and remain unpunished.” David focused on what was right and just.
Before we act we need to stop and remember, just because you can do a thing does not mean you should do it.
David took Saul’s spear and walked away. From a distance, he called out to Saul. David said, “Today, though the LORD delivered you into my grasp, I would not harm the LORD’s anointed.” Saul realized David could have killed him but did not. It made Saul think.
Patrick Henry said, “war is inevitable.” There is no doubt there has been a lot of wars in the history of our world. There are multiple wars today. However, just because war is common, it does not mean war is inevitable. Just War Theory teaches when war may be justified and provides a measure for an appropriate response. Even if a war is deemed justified, it does not mean it is inevitable.
War, even if deemed necessary, is not good.
Adam came as the first man, “a living being.” Jesus came as “the last Adam a life-giving spirit.” “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.”
Our Lord is “slow to anger and abundant in kindness.” We need to do the same. He does not deal with us according to our sins. He pardons all our iniquities and redeems us from destruction. He is kind and merciful. We do well to follow his example.
We love those who love us. “Even sinners do the same.”
If someone does good for us, we do good to them. “Even sinners do the same.”
It might seem easy to respond to people in the same way that they treat us. If they are kind to us, we treat them kindly. If they attack, we fight back.
Jesus teaches us a different way. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” How do you want to be treated? I doubt you want people to attack you. I would hope you would want them to treat you with respect, dignity, and love. Then that is the way you need to treat them.
Hatred will not bring peace.
At the final judgment, God will know what is in our heart. Will you have anger in your heart? There is no room in Heaven for anger. “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
Anger is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The other six are pride, greed (avarice), envy, anger (wrath), lust, gluttony, and sloth (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1866, Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 398). Which of these dwell in your heart? Which of these is keeping you from loving your neighbor? Which of these keep you from loving God as you should?
There is conflict in the world. Are you part of the problem?
If you want to be part of the solution, then choose love.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff