As was shared in today’s first reading, the very shelter that David and his men were hiding in, was the same cave that Saul happened to walk into by himself. David’s men encouraged David to take Saul’s life, after all they were there because they were hiding from Saul and his army. They could have easily overpowered him and taken his life. The threat would be put to an end and David would assume his rightful place as king.

And yet, David, refused. He chose not to give into revenge, to forgive, to trust in God’s justice instead of taking it into his own hands. After Saul exited the cave, David emerged and said: “I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my master, for he is the LORD’s anointed’” (I Samuel 24:11).

He could have easily justified Saul’s death as an act of self-defense but did not. He chose to surrender not to Saul but to God and trust in God’s justice. How many times do we do the opposite? We often react first and think later. We often don’t do forgiveness well, but God does. Forgiveness, is not easy, but it is possible if we ask God to help us to do so.

When we have been hurt or harmed by another, continuing to hold onto the hurt and pain only keeps it festering. Forgiveness is not condoning, justifying, or saying in any way that the action was acceptable. Forgiveness is the making of a choice to no longer accept or allow the pain inflicted to continue. Forgiveness is a choice to not participate in the cycle of violence, but to remove oneself from it, and not choose to act in kind.

I invite you to pray the Our Father this morning or sometime today, slowly, and with intention and attention to the words. When you get to: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…” Stop and breathe. Bring to mind any areas that you may be harboring some unforgiveness and ask Jesus to help you to forgive in this moment.

It is ok if you find it difficult or are not ready. The first step is to be aware and to identify where the unforgiveness lies. You can then ask God to forgive for you until you are able to forgive. Jesus will lead you each day until you can come to a place of healing where you will be able to forgive. Jesus sought help as well on the Cross when he said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

May we learn from David’s example today, may we share with Jesus our pain, and experience his healing and his love. And may we seek to and ask Jesus to help us to forgive so we can also be forgiven.

Photo: Rosary walk Thursday night, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL. The love and light of Jesus will shine through the clouds of our unforgiveness if we are willing.

Link for the Mass readings for Friday, January 19, 2024