7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)

1st Reading          1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Psalm                     103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 (R. 8a)

R:// "The Lord is kind and merciful"

2nd Reading        1 Corinthians 15: 45-49

Gospel                   Luke 6: 27-38

ENEMIES NO MORE

Beloved, today is the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) and it doubles as the last Sunday of February 2025. We want to thank God for his mercies and graces throughout the month. Additionally, very soon we shall bring the first part of the Season of Ordinary Time to a close. What it means is that we should start preparing and conditioning ourselves to commence the penitential season of Lent. That said, let us shift to the Word of God for this Sunday.

Our first reading is from 1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23. This is a passage that any reader would read and be disappointed in David for not annihilating Saul when Saul was actually in search of David to kill him. I want us to pay close attention to three details, although there could be more. 

First, realise that the author weaves the narrative along family ties. There is actually less external interference. Saul is on an expedition to destroy David. Saul is a Benjaminite (thus, from the tribe of Benjamin, 1 Sam. 9: 1-2). David is from the tribe of Judah (1 Sam. 16:1-12; 17:12). Benjamin and Judah, although of different mothers, are of the same father - Jacob. The implication is that Saul and David have the same immediate ancestor, who is Jacob. It is the same family.  Additionally, we hear of Abishai working as an aide to David. Abishai is actually the nephew of David. He is the son of David's sister, Zeruiah (1 Chron. 2: 16-17). Abner, who is in the company of Saul, is also Saul's cousin (1 Sam. 14:50-51; 26:14). Even the positioning of Saul's spear is penned against closeness, " ... and there was Saul lying asleep within the camp, his spear thrust into the ground at his head..." (1 Sam. 26: 7). 

If there is anything we could draw from this detail, then it should be that the most dangerous conflicts are usually not between sworn enemies or strangers, but rather between people who are connected by family ties or close relationships. The best place to find the greatest of conflicts is within families and between people of like minds. This is very dangerous because the enemy within is stronger than the external enemy. The internal enemy knows the ins and outs of ties. In fact, it was the Ziphites who betrayed David and related his hideout to Saul. If we care to know, the Ziphites, from the city of Ziph, located in the territory of Judah (Josh. 15:55, 1 Sam. 23: 14-15), were likely descendants of the original inhabitants of the area or perhaps a subgroup of the tribes of Judah. Our greatest challenges come from within, whether it is from our own family members, close friends, or even our own internal struggles. The enemy within has intimate knowledge of our vulnerabilities and can exploit them.

The second detail we should focus on is v. 7, thus, "David and Abishai reached Saul's soldiers by night, and there was Saul lying asleep within the camp, his spear thrust into the ground at his head and Abner and his troops sleeping around him". Let us underscore two issues here. In v. 2, the 3,000 warriors of Saul were described as "the best warriors of Israel". It would beat our imagination to find the "crème de la crème" of military men asleep while on a very serious expedition even with the King himself. This is nothing but a show of incompetence. However, it is more than incompetence. The Word of God says Saul was in a "deep sleep". The Hebrew word used there is "tardemah". It is the term used in Genesis 2: 21 to designate the sleep of Adam while God creates woman, and that which overtakes Abraham at sunset when the Lord makes a Covenant with him (Gen. 15:12, cf. Isa. 29:10). What is happening to Saul and his warriors is a God-induced sleep. This would usually happen when God wants to show his supremacy and authority. There is a divine or spiritual dimension to every conflict. God always intervenes in every conflict to establish his authority. God is always in control, even when we are not aware of it. God is always in control, even when we are not aware of it.

The third detail is from the Gospel passage from Luke 6: 27-38, which is a continuation of Jesus' teaching on the level plain. We find a parallel in Matthew 5: 38-48. The text from Luke deals with the question of the ENEMY (The "Echthros", in Greek). When the Jew talks about the Enemy, he talks about the non-Jew. Within the context of the New Testament, there is a thin line between a neighbour (a Jew) and an enemy (a non-Jew). It will be difficult to differentiate between an enemy and a neighbour. However, there are three kinds of difficult relationships that Jesus points out and I suggest that he gives a solution to them. 

The first category of a difficult relationship emanates from when Jesus said "To the one who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well" (Lk. 6: 29). This is a relationship you have with your superior because not everyone can slap you. There is a person who can slap you and you cannot respond or say anything. There is an enemy you can face and you cannot respond to whatever oppression the enemy offers. You can face that at home and even at the workplace. 

The second category of a difficult relationship comes from Jesus' words, thus, "from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic". The cloak in Greek is "ἱμάτιον" (himation) and it actually refers to your outer garment. Jesus says do not refuse that person your "tunic". Interestingly, the tunic is rendered as "χιτών" (chitōn) and this is the inner garment. As this person struggles with you for your outer garment, be glad and ready to offer your inner garment. Now, the person who can struggle with you over your garment is that person who is your equal. Your relationship with this person can be difficult. This person cannot use force but has the potential to strain your relationship. The cloak is an item that can be shared. This is a relationship between siblings, colleagues or even your best friend, if not a friend. 

The third kind of a difficult relationship lies in Jesus' words thus, "Give to everyone who asks of you..." (Lk. 6: 30). The one who usually begs you for something is your subordinate. The third kind of difficult relationship is the one you have with your subordinate. This too can be very difficult. 

Know that all these three categories of people have the potential of becoming your neighbour — your superior, your equal, and your subordinate. What do you do when they suddenly turn to become your enemy? Jesus says "Love your enemies" (Lk. 6: 27, 35). The word Love (Grk: "agape") concerns action, not emotions. It is what you do; the actions you take against difficult people and enemies that matter. Take an action that will seek their good despite how they treat you. This is the defining mark. Start with prayer as an action. Let David be an inspiration. 

Pax et Bonum