Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
Saul then left the cave and went on his way. David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, «My lord the king!». When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul: «Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you?’. You see for yourself today that the Lord just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed and a father to me’. Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life. The Lord will judge between me and you, and the Lord will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you. The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness’. So I will take no action against you. Against whom are you on campaign, o king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea! The Lord will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!».
When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, «Is that your voice, my son David?». And Saul wept aloud. Saul then said to David: «You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the Lord delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the Lord reward you generously for what you have done this day. And now, I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession».
I call to God the Most High, to God, my benefactor. May he send from heaven and save me; may he make those a reproach who trample upon me; may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
Be exalted above the heavens, o God; above all the earth be your glory! For your mercy towers to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies.
“Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted”
Fr. Jordi POU i Sabater (Sant Jordi Desvalls, Girona, Spain)Today, the Gospel summarizes the theology of the Christian vocation: the Lord summons those He wants to be with Him and sends them forth to be apostles (cf. Mk 3:13-14). First, He summons them: before the creation of the world, He destined us to be holy (cf. Eph 1:4). He loves us in Christ, and in Him He shapes us, giving us the qualities to be His children. Our qualities are only understood in light of our vocation; the vocation is the "role" He has given us in redemption. It is in discovering the innermost "why" of my existence that I feel fully "myself," when I live my vocation.
And for what has He called us? To be with Him. This call implies a response: "Open your own hearts to Jesus and tell him your story. I don't want to generalize. But one day perhaps an ordinary Christian, just like you, opened your eyes to horizons both deep and new, yet as old as the Gospel. He suggested to you the prospect of following Christ earnestly, seriously, of becoming an apostle of apostles. Perhaps you lost your balance then and didn't recover it. Your complacency wasn't quite replaced by true peace until you freely said "yes" to God, because you wanted to, which is the most supernatural of reasons. And in its wake came a strong, constant joy, which disappears only when you abandon him." (Saint Josemaría).
It is a gift, but also a task: holiness through prayer and the sacraments, and, in addition, personal struggle. "All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living is promoted in this earthly society" (Second Vatican Council).
Thus, we can understand the apostolic mission: to bring Christ to others; to possess Him and to share Him. Today, we can take the time to consider the call more carefully and refine the details of our loving response.
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
“‘I exhort you to present your bodies’ (Rom 12:1). By pleading in this manner the Apostle elevates all men to the dignity of the priesthood: to present our bodies as a living host.” (Saint Peter Chrysologus)
“Goodness always tends to spread. As it expands, goodness takes root and develops (…). In this regard, several sayings of Saint Paul will not surprise us: ‘The love of Christ urges us on’ (2 Cor 5:14); ‘Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel’ (1 Cor 9:16).” (Francis)
“From the beginning of his public life Jesus chose certain men, twelve in number, to be with him and to participate in his mission. He gives the Twelve a share in his authority and ‘sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal’ (Lk 9:2) (…).” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 551)
