1. In what way does this reading teach us about magnanimity (which means ‘generous in overlooking injury and insult, rising above pettiness and meanness’)? Can you think of any saints/prophets who were or are magnanimous? Do you know any magnanimous people in your own life? What about you?

2. Saul was mean and insane but David showed respect for him because he was anointed. Can you show respect for someone yet disagree with him/her? What do you think the outcome is when neither side respects the other?

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 15:45-49

1. Name some of the ways we bear the image of the earthly Adam.

2. Hans Urs von Balthasar said that Christ “cut a path” for us as grace ascending and grace descending. Is Christ just as much creation’s highest response to the Father as he is the Father’s Word to creation. Does the heavenly Adam coming together with the earthly Adam cut a path for us? What does bearing the image of the heavenly Adam allow us to do? 

Gospel
Luke 6:27-38

1. Jesus goes one step farther than David’s “don’t kill” your enemies. He says, “love” them. Don’t expect anything back when you lend, and if someone takes something of yours, give that person much more. Who practices absolute generosity like this? Who do you know besides God who comes close? A parent with his/her child? With grace, can we think of everyone as our family?

2. “Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful.” According to Pope Francis in the text below, what does being merciful do for us? Why do you think mercy is a gift?

I remember that this theme was chosen for the first Angelus that I had to recite as pope: mercy. And this has remained very much impressed on me, as a message that I would always have to offer as pope, a message for everyday: mercy. I remember that on that day I even had an attitude that was somewhat “brazen,” as if I were advertising a book about mercy that had just been published by Cardinal Kasper. And on that day I felt very strongly that this is the message that I must offer as Bishop of Rome: mercy, mercy, please, forgiveness.

God’s mercy is our liberation and our happiness. We live [through] mercy and we cannot afford to be without mercy. It is the air that we breathe. We are too poor to set any conditions. We need to forgive because we need to be forgiven. Thank you!

Pope’s Message: Mercy is the very heart of God
March 18, 2020