Greeting (See 2 Cor 5:18)

It was God who reconciled us
to himself in Christ
and gave us the work
of handing on this reconciliation.
May the forgiving Lord be with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

If we are capable of doing it by the grace of God, there is perhaps nothing that brings us closer to God and makes us most like him than the readiness to forgive and the aptitude to love even enemies. These are so contrary to our feelings of not wanting to be anyone's fool or doormat. And yet, the gospel insists: You who were God's enemies, you who have been forgiven, forgive, be reconciled, be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.

Penitential Act

God is patient with us.
We can always go to him and be forgiven.
Now we ask him and one another to forgive us.
               (PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you reassure us
that the Father has forgotten our sins.
We cannot forget that others have hurt us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, through you
the Father turned us, people who acted as his enemies,
into friends he loves
For us it is hard to be reconciled:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you came not to condemn
but to save what was lost.
We easily judge and condemn:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and keep forgiving us all our sins.
Make us grateful and merciful,
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray to the Father in heaven
to give us a bit of his goodness
and loving mercy
            (PAUSE)
Lord God, merciful Father,
you let your Son ask of us
by his word and example
not to render evil for evil
and to become available to anyone
who makes demands on us.
Make us fully aware that this is
what you and Jesus have done for us.
Let your Holy Spirit inspire us
with a strong trust in your merciful love
and help us to become a bit like you,
who are always better to us
than we can be to others.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction: A Man with a Great Heart
David is a fugitive from Saul's revenge. When he has Saul in his power, he spares his life, for the king's life is sacred. God's mercy becomes visible in David.

First Reading: 1 Sam 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Saul went down with three thousand picked men of Israel to the desert of Ziph in search of David.

So, that night, David and Abishai went into the camp and found Saul sleeping in the center, his spear thrust into the ground at his head, while Abner and the rest of the soldiers were sleeping around him. Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hands this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I will not repeat it." But David answered Abishai, "Do not harm him. For who could harm Yahweh's anointed and not be punished?

So David took the spear and the water jug from near Saul's head and they left. Nobody saw, nobody knew, nobody woke up. All remained asleep, for a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them.

On the opposite slope David stood at a distance, on top of the hill.
David answered, "I have your spear with me, O king! Let one of your servants come over to fetch it. Yahweh rewards a righteous and loyal man. Today he delivered you into my hands but I refused to harm Yahweh's anointed."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Second Reading Introduction: We Have to Become Like Christ
      We tend to follow merely our natural human inclinations. Christ is our model; he shows us in himself the kind of spiritual persons we are called to become and he gives us the strength to do so.

Second Reading: 1 Cor 15:45-49

Scripture says that Adam, the first man became a living being, was given natural life; but the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit.

The spirit does not appear first, but the natural life, and afterwards comes the spirit. The first man comes from the earth and is earthly, while the second one comes from heaven. As it was with the earthly one, so is it with the earthly people. As it is with Christ, so with the heavenly. This is why, after bearing the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.

Gospel Introduction: Be Compassionate as Your Father Is Compassionate
       Jesus and his gospel are a constant challenge to go beyond a merely human code in dealing with other people. He calls us to follow him on his radical way, with the merciful love of God for us as our model.

Gospel Reading: Lk 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples, "I say to you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek; from the one who takes your coat, do not keep back your shirt. Give to the one who asks and if anyone has taken something from you, do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have others do to you. If you love only those who love you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do favors to those who are good to you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners do the same. If you lend only when you expect to receive, what kind of graciousness is yours? For sinners also lend to sinners, expecting to receive something in return.

But love your enemies and do good to them, and lend when there is nothing to expect in return. Then will your reward be great and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High. For he is kind towards the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Don't be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back."

 

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