It is 24th February 2019. We are in the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent, and we are invited to settle the accounts of revenge, hatred, animosity by showing the utmost compassion, forgiveness and love. Reservoir of love never runs dry even the soul wishes to have resorts of revenge. The readings are from 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; the second reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; and the Gospel from Luke 6:27-38. When we have the power to strike back, yet we decide firmly to withhold is the crucial moment of forgiveness and compassion. Is it possible to let go of persons who harmed us and hunted us down? Yes, it is possible when we ourselves have the asylum in God. That is what the first reading teaches us that when David had all the possibility to do away with the king Saul, yet he dealt with his interior struggles to let go off the moment of revenge and settled the score with the king with the power of compassion. God offers the power of God’s arm when we have decided not to harm anyone. When we let go of what others have done to us, we offer a room for reconciliation and forgiveness. No matter what the other person holds against us. God has bestowed us with the power to forgive and to show compassion and God expects us not to behave anything contrary. Revenge however sharp and venomous could be, it becomes blunt and bends low to the power of love, compassion and forgiveness. The power of love is mightier than the fire of revenge and hatred. We need to aspire by all means to show compassion than to demonstrate compulsive revenge and unguided rage on those who wishes to do evil. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “The Lord is kind and merciful.” (Ps.103:8). St. Paul invites us to nurture the power of the spirit that leads us to have a life that is lasting for ever. We are to emulate the model of Christ than the model offered by Adam. The Gospel passage is the continuation of the sermon on the plains. Jesus wants us to listen, love, lend, let go, do good, offer the best from us, forgive, to show mercy, and to make a difference. “For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Lk.6:38). Our measure of love must exceed the measures of hurts and wounds we have been inflicted upon by others. The measure of forgiveness and compassion matters for dealing with evil within us and around us. We need to return to the school of love when our souls are at war with the unending voices of hatred and revenge around. May you have a good day. May God bless you.