life doesn't have to be predictable ... 2nd week friday

In our first reading today, once more, Saul, in a fit of jealousy, pursued David with the intent of killing him, thus breaking his promise not to harm him which he made in yesterday’s reading.  But once more David shows his innocence and also his nobility.  He had the chance to kill Saul but he chose not do it because he recognized that Saul is an anointed of the Lord.  Because of this act of gallantry Saul finally recognized the David is indeed king.  Because of David’s response to Saul’s aggression, because of David’s humility and openness to God’s will, Saul saw the kindness of David, his sense of justice and for these Saul saw the qualities of a good king, a good leader.

In life, in whatever conflicts we come across, we can always choose our weapons.  Life is not a series of this action followed by a resulting reaction, this specific cause producing a specific effect.  Life is not as predictable as that.  Why, because a person can always choose how to react.  We can still choose.   We are still in control of how we respond to things and events. 

To be merciful is a choice because we choose to be kind to the person who is unkind to us.  To be merciful is a choice because we choose to forgive when the urgings of our instinct is to take revenge.  This is what David is showing us, that we can stay above our natural inclination to react harshly to those who did us evil.  We can choose to be merciful.  Mercy is an exercise of our power to choose and of freedom.