1 Samuel 24:2-21 /Ps. 56:2-4,6,11 / Mark 3:13-19
In today’s first reading, Saul sees David as his enemy and seeks his life. Yet when David is given the perfect opportunity to take revenge, he refuses. David chooses a path that is not natural to the human heart.
He refuses to return evil for evil. Instead, he returns good for evil, mercy for hatred. Saul himself is forced to admit, “You have repaid me with good, while I have repaid you with evil.”
This is not weakness. This is spiritual strength. It is the strength that comes from a heart rooted in God. David’s response guides us toward the way of Jesus. He is the One who would later pray for those who crucified him, “Father, forgive them.”
Saint Paul makes this concrete in his letter to the Romans. He advises, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is not just a beautiful phrase. It is a demanding way of life. It means that when we are insulted, we resist the urge to insult back.
When we are hurt, we resist the temptation to hurt in return. When someone speaks against us, we choose to speak with truth and love rather than bitterness. This is only possible when our hearts are deeply united with the Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls the Twelve. But notice the order of his call. First, he calls them to be with him. Only after that does he send them out to preach and to heal. Companionship comes before mission. Relationship comes before activity. Presence comes before service.
This is a powerful lesson for us. We often want to be busy for God, but the Lord first invites us to be with God. Before we speak for Christ, we must listen to Christ. Before we act in his name, we must sit in his presence.
This is why prayer is not optional for a Christian life. Prayer, Holy Hour, Eucharistic Adoration – these are not extra devotions for a few people.
They are places where our hearts are slowly shaped to become like the heart of Christ. In prayer, we learn how to respond when we are wronged.
In Adoration, we learn how to love when it is difficult. In silent presence before the Lord, our anger is softened. Our wounds are healed. Our desire for revenge is transformed into a desire for mercy.
Very practically, this means: when there is conflict in the family, we bring it to prayer before reacting. When someone at work treats us unfairly, we place that person before the Lord. We do this instead of carrying bitterness in our hearts.
When we feel deeply hurt, we sit before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. We let him teach us how to love as he loves.
The Gospel reminds us today: we cannot give what we do not have. If we are not spending time with the Lord, it becomes very hard to live like the Lord. But if we stay close to him in prayer, he slowly gives us his own heart. It is a heart that overcomes evil with good. It transforms hatred with love and darkness with light.
May we ask for the grace today not only to work for Christ, but first to walk with Christ. Let us remain with him. In this way, our lives may truly reflect his mercy, his patience, and his love.
ANNUNCIATION DAILY ROSARY REFLECTION 