Two passages from today’s readings really resonated with me. The first, from the first reading from Samuel, quoted a proverb: ”From the wicked comes forth wickedness.” It made me think about the times I can be small and petty and disgruntled and I did something to get back at someone else. Coming from a place of darkness and meanness can lead to more darkness and meanness. In that reading, David does the generous and right thing by not attacking Saul when Saul did not expect the attack. David admits that he cut the mantel, but he refrained from injury and death and more darkness. It is often so easy to go to that place where we think we deserve to be petty and small and disgruntled. But if we stay there, we won’t ever be in the light. I need to remind myself of that when I feel slighted or ready to lash out. What I would see as a moment of satisfaction isn’t satisfying because “From the wicked comes forth wickedness.” I need to pray for the grace to do the right and the generous action.

The second passage that spoke to me was from the Alleluia: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”  In a world that often seems consumed by division and polarization, we need that message of reconciliation. We can change and become new, thanks to God’s love. How can I I live my life with God’s message of reconciliation? I can start with the “Our Father,” where we ask for forgiveness for our own sins “as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We have to forgive – to take the generous stance as David did – if we are to be trusted with the message of reconciliation.

For today, I’ll pray the “Our Father” and reflect on the reconciliation that’s necessary in my own life for me to live a life in the light.