1 Sam 24:3-21 / Mark 3:13-19
It is said that if you want to take revenge, you have to dig two graves - one for your enemy and one for yourself.
Often we think that by taking revenge for something wrong done to us, we are settling scores and then all will fair and square.
But is that so? Will taking revenge for a wrong done to us resolve all the pain and hurt and bitterness?
The proverb that David quoted in the 1st reading calls for reflection - "Wickedness goes out from the wicked, and my hand will not be laid on you."
Indeed, if we were to take revenge on the wicked for doing something wrong to us, the wicked will only retaliate by escalating the wickedness and doing more wrong to us.
But David heeded the wisdom of the proverb by not laying his hand on Saul. David had done no wrong to Saul yet Saul hunted him and wanted to kill him even.
David forgave Saul in order not to be dragged into the wickedness that Saul had inflicted upon him.
Indeed, forgiveness has to be preached so that people will understand why it is not only futile to take revenge but also in taking revenge, we get drawn deeper into the wickedness itself.
Jesus called and sent the twelve to preach and with power to cast out devils. The power of evil is to lure us to take revenge.
But the power of forgiveness will heal the pain and hurt of the wrong done to us and restrain us revenge and retaliation. Then there will be no need to keep digging graves.