Enemies In Our Grasp

When we feel we have been wronged in some way – or perhaps when we are jealous – do we step back from spreading harmful gossip, saying harsh words or raising our fists in angry exchanges with family or friends.  Biting our tongues or sitting on our hands are far better than a confrontation that does nothing but create harm such as damaging or destroying an important, even precious relationship through our words or actions.

Even when we know we are in the right, it’s best to step back.  Do we?  Or do we escalate and worsen the situation?

In today’s reading we heard: "Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags.  When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself.

David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.  David’s servants said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.’” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s mantle.”

Out of jealousy Saul intended to kill David, and David had his chance to strike first in the cave.  He chose not to kill Saul – just cut a piece off his mantle.  He decided to step back and risk his own death.  And the result?

Saul wept aloud then said to David: “You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm.  Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. 

For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day. And now, I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession.”

This is reconciliation when someone who is harmed doesn’t retaliate in kind but tries to work things out – to get the other to stand down thereby rebuilding tattered relationships and addressing hurt feelings face-to-face with the person causing that hurt.

We can all be like Saul acting out of jealousy or some other emotion to hurt, injure, embarrass – to kill reputations for example.  We can only hope that we will see the error of our ways and that we will spare the David’s in our lives. When we save them, we save ourselves.

In today’s Gospel we hear the names of Jesus’ apostles.  The reading ends with “and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.” Jesus understood and forgave the traitor Judas who he chose to be one of his apostles.  We should use Jesus as our mentor and give the same measure of forgiveness to those we meet in our personal caves – like Saul and David. That will provide real relief – to them and us.

When our so-called enemies are in our grasp, doing with them as we see fit should only involve forgiveness. Yes, that’s hard to do, but absolutely necessary – so says Jesus.

Deacon David Pierce