Reading and meditation on the Word of God on the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 23, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 1 Samuel 26: 2.7-9.12-13.22-23; Rs psalm 103: 1-2.3-4.8.10.12-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 45-49; Luke 6: 27-38LOVE REPLACESHATRED The theme forour meditation on this 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time is: Love ReplacesHatred. We are used to knowing or often told, based on scripture, about the lawof "an eye for an eye." This law is similar to karma or what is alsocalled sowing and reap. The law of the jungle can also be categorized in thisunderstanding, because here it relies heavily on the strong defeats the weak.So the effort to show power, force, lust and kill the other party, presents theface of hatred as a representation of destructive human nature. Hatred isexpressed in a general tendency to destroy, paralyze and kill the opponent orenemy. Hostile parties are unlikely to foster love, respect, and support fortheir opponents. There is only a blending of hatred, anger, and contempt forits opponents. The goal of the hateful person is to eliminate the enemy,because it is considered an obstacle and a competitor for the achievement ofhis or her goal and desire. Then destroying the opponent is an important task. The tendency ofdislike and offend the other party is part of human nature. What this natureis, if not managed and put in the virtue of self-control, it will develop intoa hateful nature. Every person, thing or situation that is different andopposite to a person of such nature, must be considered an enemy that must bekilled and defeated. The scriptures give us many examples of hatred of others,and efforts to destroy them. One of them isthe story of King Saul who hated David and wanted to destroy him. We can findstories like this throughout this life, including the present moment of ourlives. Saint Paul advises us, that our flesh should be dominated byspirituality. Do not always allow the lust of the flesh and the world toprevail, which results in treating others or our own brothers and sisters onlyas objects and enemies. If the Holy Spirit rules us, then our neighbors andbrothers will be truly appreciated.  Our golden rulemust be based on the formula of love instead of hatred. If the formula is hatredfor love or hatred for hatred, then our goal to arrive in God of love will notbe achieved. We cannot be perfect like our heavenly Father who is prefect. Thenwe only find destruction and misery. So the Lord Jesus through the Gospel of todayteaches us the commandment of His love, which is to love and pray for ourenemies or those who oppose us. The first book of Samuel also gives us anexample of how David was kind to Saul.  Letus pray. In the name of the Father ... Almighty God, fill us with Your love sothat we may be able to forgive as You who always forgive. Glory to the Father...In the name of the Father …