“To err is human, to forgive is divine.”
Saul placed David at the head of his army but later on turned on him because of pride and jealousy. David became very successful while Saul became disobedient to God. Saul could not stand the women chanting, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.” Afraid of losing his throne, he, then, plotted to kill David. David had to flee and hide from Saul. In the desert of Ziph, David had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul when by night he found Saul and his soldiers lying asleep. David took Saul’s spear but did not harm him. He believed that God anointed Saul and he respected that. He would not take his throne by force but let God to act in His own appointed time.
St Paul described the first Adam as mere living being and earthly. Due to pride and disobedience, the first Adam was estranged from God and became subject to death. The Spiritual One, the New Adam, Jesus Christ, through obedience, restored our life and our relationship with God. By sharing His life with us, we shall bear the image of the Heavenly One. Through Baptism, we died with Christ and were born again to new life with Him.
The Gospel about the love of enemies, perhaps, is the most challenging of all of Jesus’ teachings. It is almost impossible. Yes, I said “almost impossible” because we have to leave a room for grace. And that is what it is all about. Love of enemies is made possible only by forgiveness and to forgive is divine. Love of enemies, a.k.a. forgiveness, is an act of God. David spared Saul’s life because David was obedient to God. God already anointed him. David allowed grace to work in his life. The New Adam anointed all of us when we were baptised. Jesus made us channels of His grace. We will be able to love our enemies and forgive if we will allow the grace of God to take over our lives. It is not through our own will but through God’s will.
As we pray the Our Father today, let us be more conscious in asking God to grant that His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Fr Gilbert Ramos
