2025/02/23 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Katie Bak, Sr. Director of Admin & Facilities
Our readings this week remind us of God’s unconditional love and mercy, first through the story of David and King Saul. In it, David spares King Saul’s life even when he had the opportunity to harm him. The Gospel is a great piece of Jesus’ teaching where he reminds us to love those who hate us, do good to those who harm us, stop judging, forgive, give, and be merciful.
My first job out of college was as a teacher in the South Bronx in New York City and then on the West Side of Chicago. I spent 5 years working in some of the highest-need areas of the country, teaching math to 8th- and 11th-grade students. The challenges in front of me and my students were enormous, as nearly all of them were on free/reduced lunch, living in the poorest pockets of the country, and often far behind academically. In 50 minutes each day, I was their teacher, but equally importantly, I had the chance to be loving, forgiving, compassionate, giving, and merciful to my students in the way that God is for each of us. It wasn’t always easy, but perhaps it was the best gift I could give my students.
Fast forward 15 years, and I now have 3 young children of my own. Each day, I have the opportunity and responsibility to model patience, forgiveness, mercy, and gratitude. The demands of our schedules, needs, and responsibilities do not always bring out my best self, but just as God's mercy is unending, we too must find comfort and inspiration knowing that we can always practice acts of God’s love.
So this week, as we get closer to Lent, I encourage you to reflect on how you are showing patience and forgiveness, and modeling mercy and love even when the demands of life can be challenging. How are you inviting God into that space with you? Consider setting aside a few moments each day for prayer or meditation, and look for small ways to show kindness and mercy to those around you. Remember, even the smallest acts of love can make a big difference.…