Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time - February 23, 2025 (Year C)

Let's jump right in to this week's readings, starting with the Second Reading.  In this, St. Paul is expressing to us what change is required as we journey through life with God.  The first gift, that of life, was given to Adam and all those who came after, whereas the spiritual gift, that of heaven and ever-lasting life, came from Jesus, the new Adam.  Although our inclinations are to rush towards those higher and greater fruits, we must first be humans.  And if we do that well by being good people who love and live according to God's will, we will be able to attain the promise made to us by Jesus.

In the First Reading, we hear about Saul and David.  The story of Saul and David is interesting to read about, as we know that God has left Saul and anointed David as successor; however, to those living at the time, it must have been confusing to have the king determined to put down an upstart shepherd warrior in David.  But in today's reading, we are reminded of David's commitment to God - although he is anointed as the successor, David respects God's anointing of Saul as King, and chooses to show the greatness of his mercy instead of the ruthlessness of his thirst for power.  In doing this, he validates God's choice of David as he displays the virtues of love and faith that God so desires in each of us.  David's actions show us that often times we must make the harder choice to show our commitment to God instead of the easy one to take control into our own hands.  

David's actions are echoed in the Psalm this week, as the Lord, through David is kind and merciful.  It is this kindness and mercy that Jesus speaks to in the Gospel.  Jesus goes through all these situations that we will find ourselves in, and tells us that we need to do better than what our first inclination will be.  We cannot only care for and give to those who love us, because it's not an expression of love to do that, it's just a reciprocal relationship.  We have to transcend the transactional mindset that we often find ourselves in, whether at home, through work, or even with our friends and family, and look to give without receiving.  And the risk of not doing this?  Being judged according to the rules the we have arbitrarily set for others, be it fairly or unfairly.  Hearing this makes me re-evaluate my interactions and expectations across all relationships, and it should for you too.  When the time comes, I pray that I have earned the right to be judged by God's Love and Mercy.

 

Disclaimer: This will be at the bottom of all reflections, but I’m not intending to put out any sort of professional critique, attempt at a homily, or investigation into the historicity of the readings, but will “let the Spirit move me” as some say, to share what has spoken to me in my reading and reflection on the set of Readings for each week.  

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