Perhaps we can remember a time when we were in a position to get even with someone who hurt or mistreated us. Maybe we even fantasized a bit about it and experienced a bit of pleasure at the thought. Saul had been persecuting David and was hunting him down in order to kill him. Hidden in a cave, David was perfectly placed to kill Saul, but he resisted the temptation. Instead, he cut off a corner of his cloak so he could prove to Saul later that he had no evil intentions towards him. This was 'taking the high road' - doing the right thing in spite of everything. We show our spiritual stature when we choose to 'take the high road' and reject returning evil for evil.

The apostles whom Jesus chose were a strange lot. They all had their human weaknesses and failings. The gospels report that they quarrelled over who was the greatest and they consistently misunderstood the teachings of Jesus. One of them was even a traitor! Couldn't Jesus have made better choices? But perhaps this is part of the gospel revelation: God calls very ordinary people, just as they are, and does extraordinary things with them. It is not all about us, but the wonderful power of God working in and through us. We should banish all thoughts of unworthiness from our minds. Jesus calls us, and our only response should be 'Here I am Lord!'