Sunday 23 February 2025– VII Sunday of the Ordinary Time of the Year (C)
Mass Readings :1 Sam 26:2. 7-9. 12-13. 22-23 Ps 103 1 Cor 15:45-49 Lk 6:27-38
The First Reading, taken from the First Book of Samuel, recounts the dramatic encounter between David and King Saul. Despite having an opportunity to strike down his enemy, David chooses the path of mercy, refusing to harm the Lord’s anointed. This act of kindness moves Saul to recognize his own wrongdoing, prompting him to address David as "my son"—a sign of reconciliation.
The Second Reading, from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, draws a powerful contrast between Adam and Christ. Paul reminds us that while we bear the image of Adam in our human nature, we are also destined to bear the image of Christ, the life-giving spirit. This transformation calls us to live according to the values of the Kingdom—where love, mercy, and forgiveness reign.
In the Gospel, Jesus issues a radical call to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. He challenges us to break the cycle of retaliation and embrace the path of self-giving love. Jesus Himself exemplified this in His earthly ministry—He lived fearlessly, loved courageously, and forgave unconditionally.
Today’s First Reading serves as a living illustration of Christ’s teaching in the Gospel. King Saul, consumed by jealousy, relentlessly pursues David with an army of 3,000 men, seeking to take his life (1 Sam 26:2). Yet, when David finds Saul sleeping and has the perfect chance to retaliate, he refuses to harm him, recognizing Saul as the Lord’s anointed. Instead, David simply takes Saul’s spear and water jug, demonstrating his mercy and restraint.
Despite Saul’s relentless pursuit, David remains loyal, addressing him with reverence as "my lord, O king" (v.17), "my lord" (v.18), "my lord the king" (v.19), "the king of Israel" (v.20), and "Yahweh’s anointed" (v.23). His refusal to seek revenge is a testament to his faith in God's justice. This act of mercy softens Saul’s heart, leading him to call David "my son"—a powerful acknowledgment of David’s righteousness.
David’s actions prefigure Christ’s teaching in the Gospel: true greatness is found not in power or vengeance but in mercy and love.
In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul makes a clear distinction between the first Adam and the last Adam, emphasizing the difference between the physical body and the spiritual body. The first Adam became a living being when the Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen 2:7), while the last Adam, Christ, became a life-giving spirit (1 Cor 15:45). As St. Thomas Aquinas once said, grace builds on nature—similarly, St. Paul teaches that the spiritual realm follows the natural realm (1 Cor 15:46).
Paul exhorts the Corinthian community to follow the example of Christ, who came from heaven to show us how to forgive, love, and accept both the earthly and the spiritual realities of life. Just as believers bear the image of Adam in their human nature, Paul assures them that they will also bear the image of Christ, the Redeemer.
The first Adam, created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26), is the head of the human race.
Christ, the last Adam, is the head of the redeemed people of God. St. Paul underscores that while we inherit our physical bodies from Adam, we receive our spiritual transformation through the risen Lord Jesus. He contrasts Adam, formed from the dust of the earth (Gen 2:7), with Christ, who came from heaven. As John affirms, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). Paul reiterates this truth, emphasizing that Jesus assumed human nature by taking on a physical body.
For Paul, Adam represents fallen humanity, while Christ represents the redeemed. Adam was formed from the dust, whereas Christ descended from heavenly glory (Phil 2:6-8). This theme is echoed in John’s Gospel: “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all” (Jn 3:31). Through the resurrection of Christ, all believers are invited to share in the divine glory conferred upon them by the risen Lord.
Paul further declares that as children of God, we are destined to bear Christ’s likeness (Phil 3:21; Rom 8:29). This Sunday’s readings remind us that we are called to imitate the last Adam, Jesus Christ, in His love, mercy, and forgiveness—especially towards those who wrong us. That is why St. Paul concludes: "Just as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor 15:49).
The Gospel Reading: Love Your Enemies
Today's Gospel is a continuation of last week's passage, forming part of Jesus’ broader teaching discourse. The previous section focused on the ‘blessings and woes,’ while today’s passage presents a profound and transformative message on loving one’s enemies (Lk 6:27, 35). This teaching is not only rich in meaning but also deeply thought-provoking, challenging the world’s value system at its core.
One of the most radical teachings of Christ is found in His words: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Lk 6:27-28).
No one before Christ ever taught that love is the most powerful way to win over one’s enemies. The Old Testament calls God’s people to rise above personal vengeance and extend love even to those who have wronged them (Lev 19:18; Ex 23:4-5). However, Jesus takes this commandment even further—He makes the love of enemies a defining characteristic of Christian discipleship, demonstrated perfectly in His own life and mission.
The Power of Love and the ‘Non-Violent’ Approach
Just as in the Old Testament, Jesus teaches that the most effective way to overcome an enemy is through the power of love (Lev 19:18). The love of neighbour was already enjoined in the Old Testament, but Christ deepens this command, showing that love makes us responsible for the well-being of others, including our enemies. Returning kindness to those who do harm is not only a strategy for reconciliation but also a sacrifice.
This non-violent approach is a sign of moral superiority, setting apart the children of God from the rest of the world. A Christian’s ability to treat others as God wishes, even in the face of hostility, is a hallmark of true discipleship.
Praying for Your Enemies
Perhaps the most difficult and painful commandment is to pray for those who mistreat us. Yet, this is exactly what Jesus instructs us to do. The Old Testament offers similar principles: "If you meet your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it; you shall surely release it with him" (Ex 23:4-5).
The ultimate prayer of forgiveness—"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Lk 23:34; Acts 7:60)—is uniquely Christian. It embodies the call to love one’s enemies, a theme echoed even in ancient wisdom. For example, Babylonian philosophy states: "Do not return evil to the man who disputes with you; requite with kindness your evil-doer…smile on your adversary." Similarly, the Qumran community taught: "To no man will I render the reward of evil; with goodness will I pursue each one."
TheRoman philosopher Seneca (c. 5 B.C.–A.D. 65), a contemporary of Jesus, also remarked: "If you wish to imitate the gods, do good deeds even to the ungrateful; for the sun rises upon both the good and the wicked, and the sea stands open even to pirates."
Loving the Enemy Like Christ
Scripture consistently teaches us to seek the good of others above all else, even if they are our enemies. We are called to win over the unkind through kindness. Jesus offers concrete examples of love in action: "Whoever strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other also. Give to everyone who asks of you." (Lk 6:29-30)
This radical generosity mirrors Christ’s own mission—to reconcile and redeem those alienated from God. Offering the other cheek and surrendering one’s garments illustrate an attitude of openness despite provocation, insult, or material loss. In this passage, Luke employs a figure of speech where “do not refuse” actually means “offer”—urging us to willingly embrace the path of love and non-retaliation.
Loving as God Loves
Jesus further challenges His followers with a series of “if clauses” that expose the insufficiency of conditional love: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?" (Lk 6:32-34)
God is good to both the sinner and the saint alike. Therefore, we too must imitate God, loving our enemies without expecting anything in return. God blesses both the grateful and the ungrateful, and we are called to do the same.
The God of Mercy
The foundation of love and kindness lies in Christ’s command: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Lk 6:36).
Th God of the Bible is a God of compassion. His mercy is universal, as seen in Sirach 18:13 and Psalm 145:8-9. As disciples of Christ, we are called to imitate this divine mercy in our own lives.
From the love of enemies, Jesus moves to another crucial teaching: the danger of judging others. Before God, all stand to be judged, but He chooses to show patience and mercy, waiting for our conversion. In the same way, we too must refrain from judgment and cultivate a spirit of generosity. Jesus assures us that when we give generously, without calculating the cost, we will receive in abundance.
Points for Personal Reflection
The key message of this Gospel passage is that God prefers mercy over judgment. However, when we put others on trial, we invite God to judge us in the same manner.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a radical command: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you" (Lk 6:27-28). This teaching goes against human instincts, yet it is the very heart of Christian discipleship.
Jesus does not merely teach forgiveness—He embodies it. From the cross, He prays for those who crucify Him: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34). His love is unconditional, His mercy without limits.
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example. The world often teaches us to retaliate, but Christ shows us a higher way—the way of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This is not a sign of weakness but of true strength, for only a heart transformed by grace can love its enemies.
Can I imitate the Golden Rule in my daily life?
How can I put Christ’s teachings from today’s Gospel into practice?
By embracing mercy, love, and non-violence, we truly live as children of God, reflecting His boundless compassion to the world.
The readings of this Sunday challenge us to live by the principles of the Kingdom of God. David’s mercy toward Saul foreshadows Christ’s call to love and forgive. Paul reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to reflect the image of Christ, the new Adam. Jesus, in the Gospel, commands us to transcend human limitations and embrace the divine way of love.
Let us ask the Lord for the grace to love as He loved, to forgive as He forgave, and to live as true disciples—bearing the image of Christ, both now and for eternity- Amen.
