Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Mass readings offer insight into mercy. In the first reading, David has an opportunity to kill Saul, who has been hunting him. David instead spares Saul’s life – Saul, moved by this act of mercy, makes amends with David, and the two are reconciled. On the other hand, in the Gospel we hear of Christ summoning the apostles, including “Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.” We are reminded of Christ’s act of mercy: although at the Last Supper he is fully aware of Judas’s impending betrayal, Christ refuses to flee or defend himself. Instead, like David, Christ chooses mercy and gives his betrayer an opportunity to be reconciled. In this case, though, Judas rejects peace – he follows through on his plan of betrayal, and Christ’s mercy leads him to the cross.
We have to be realistic about mercy: at times it will lead us to peace, and at times it will lead us to heartbreak. And yet the Lord, knowing this, always has mercy on us. Whether we accept or reject His mercy today, it will be there for us again tomorrow. The Lord invites us to imitate this selfless mercy; after all, that’s what makes it mercy. Let’s pray today for the grace to be merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful.