Matthew 5: 38-48
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021923.cfm
Our Scriptures this Sunday bring us further along the road of Jesus' moral teaching. This week the fundamental call to love one another, in particular to "love your enemies" and "to pray for those who persecute you" present a great challenge to our natural desire to get back at those who do us wrong. Also, in the code of law, such retribution in which an offense demands a redress, an eye for an eye would be the guide.
Jesus perspective goes beyond the law to address love as
the center of the moral code. It is a call to non-violence of which we have
seen powerful examples in history: the early Christian martyrs of our Church,
Mahatma Ghandi, and in our own country Martin Luther King have been historical
examples of peaceful protest as an instrument for justice. The code of
non-violent resistance and a choice to not participate in violence, Jesus' code
becomes a balm for healing. Our present-day peaceful marches for the right to life are a perfect example of an
application of Jesus’ teaching.
While we may acquaint such events as acts of social
justice, Jesus’ teaching applies to our everyday lives, marching or not. Our Lord was not so much a social activist
with political ties but rather offers all of humanity a new insight on how we
are to live in this world, particularly when confronted with evil. As followers
of Christ, we have a particular responsibility and opportunity to show the
world what Jesus meant for all. His call to act with non-violence in the face
of evil is a powerful position to take the higher road of love as a guide. Yet,
even more basically to respond to harm with generosity: turn the other cheek,
go two miles, give when asked, love your enemies. Yet, such behavior involves personal
sacrifice for the sake of a higher good.
The martyrs of our Church are held in such high esteem
because they stood as witnesses to the higher truth of their faith rather than
cower in submission to aggression. While
they paid for this with their lives, their witness to this love only caused the
Church to grow all the more. This is the
higher road to walk in which I maintain my personal dignity which they tried to
destroy, and it is possible through the grace of God.
Yet it brings up the question on how difficult and
realistic this teaching may be. How is
it possible to love your enemy; to turn the other cheek in the face of
aggression? When we feel we are criticized unfairly or our reputation is
defamed or someone we care about is harmed by another, our natural reaction is
defensive with a desire to seek revenge. So, am I supposed to be a door mat?
Added to this is Jesus’ statement: “Be perfect just as
your heavenly Father is perfect.” Come on now! I’m far from God’s perfection;
I’m a sinner. But the real power here is that Jesus speaks about the love of
God and how to love as God loves. That is what should be made more perfect in
us. St. Luke more specifically states to be “merciful” as God shows mercy. To love in the face of hostility is to be
merciful as God shows mercy, even to the unjust. My intent is not to be
intentionally passive despite what may come, or to appear weak and cowardly.
But to return love for violence. To
reduce the power of force by the power of love such as in talking rather than
fighting, seeking compromise rather than domination, reaching out in respect and
forgiveness rather than maintaining anger.
If the two who disagree take the same approach, imagine the good that
could be accomplished.
Our first reading from Leviticus to “take no revenge and
cherish no grudge . . .” encourages a balanced approach but measured by the
principle of non-violence. To love our enemies is to not engage in an extreme
response:” If you should injure my brother, I don’t send my friends to kill
your family.”
It is better and wiser to seek peace rather than to
continue the evil perpetrated upon me or others. It is right to stand up in the
face of evil and respond with one's integrity intact rather than give in to
dishonor or humiliation from another.
In the Middle East the virtue of honor was
sacrosanct. To be humiliated and
dishonored would be shocking. To “turn
the other cheek” is a way of saying that “I will not be overcome by your
insult.” Our Lord implies that even these acts of dishonor really mean nothing.
So, I respond with no ill will toward you; no eye for an eye which just
continues the round of aggressive behavior. Rather, I wish you no harm and
offer a hand of forgiveness. What matters is the power of my witness and the
force of love to bring conversion. This
is what must be perfected in us and if so, we have learned to love as God
loves.
As God makes his rain to fall on the just and the unjust,
so too our honor and respect, our love for each other, should have no limits. However, my own self-defense and by nations
of citizens is not excluded by Jesus’ teaching. The controversial abolition of
the death penalty by the Church and others is based in this teaching. Ultimately, we must all answer before God for
our choices whether good or ill and there is always the call to be open to
conversion and repentance.
So, you may want to pray for those who have hurt you;
forgive so that you may find peace in your heart; avoid revenge that would
inflict more damage and perpetuate the hurt. And, as sometimes happens,
exaggerate the offense to the point of being more extreme than it is. We say it
so often that love is the foundation of the Christian character. Yet, how often
do we truly love as Jesus teaches?
In sharing the Eucharist together, we share in the love of
Christ, his body and blood, poured out for us.
Grant almighty God,
that, always pondering spiritual things,
we may carry out in both word and deed
that which is pleasing to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
(Collect of Mass)
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