February 24 - One Bread, One Body
February 24, Seventh Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13
2) 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Gospel) Luke 6:27-38
Nailing down mercy
"Abishai whispered to David: 'God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear.' " — 1 Samuel 26:8
Abishai gave David the traditional "wisdom of war," that is: "Kill, nail, and spear the enemies before they do it to you first." In other words, "do unto others before they do unto you." David surprisingly rejected Abishai's standard advice (1 Sm 26:9). In this he prefigured Jesus, the Son of David.
Jesus didn't just talk about having mercy on our enemies. He paid the price for mercy by taking on Himself the just punishments which His enemies deserved. Instead of nailing His enemies to the ground (see 1 Sm 26:8), He let His enemies nail Him to the cross. Instead of thrusting a spear into His enemies, He let them thrust a spear into His side (see Jn 19:34). Jesus knows that treating guilty enemies with mercy would be unjust. So He fulfilled justice out of love for His enemies by paying the price for mercy on Calvary.
Therefore, "love your enemy and do good" (Lk 6:35). "Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon, and you shall be pardoned" (Lk 6:36-37).
Prayer: Jesus, may I receive and give Your crucified, precious mercy.
Promise: "Give, and it shall be given to you." —Lk 6:38
Praise: Praise be to Jesus Christ, the risen King of Glory. Alleluia!
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.