GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 19th JUNE 2017
MONDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 2Corinthians 6:1-10
PSALM: Psalm 98:1-4
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:38-42
THEME: RETALIATION
Martin Luther King Jr. wrote: “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral; begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” (1967, ‘Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?’ p. 67).
The Gospel text for today is the fifth of the six antithesis (cf. Mt. 5:21-48) which forms part of the “sermon on the mount” (Mt. 5:1 – 7:28). Today’s text addresses the issue of retaliation and our attitude towards those who seek to oppress us. Making reference to portions of the Torah (see Ex. 21:24; Lev 24:20), Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’, but I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt. 5:38-40). The Mosaic law that Jesus refers to was originally intended to moderate vengeance and not to fuel it. In other words, the actual intent of the law, ‘eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’ was to limit retribution so that a person does not extend personal vengeance beyond the injuries suffered. Jesus raises the bar of righteousness one step further by advocating nonviolence – no need for retaliation when one has been wronged.
There are moments in our personal lives when we feel that we have to teach an offender a lesson by inflicting a heavy punishment on him/her. We may feel that if we do not exact revenge for a wrong done to us, people may take us for granted or conclude that we have no spine. In fact, for many, the word ‘justice’ is synonymous to retaliation. Jesus, however, teaches us that true justice is not inflicting pain on an offender but overcoming evil with the power of love.
There is an African proverb which says, “When an enemy sets your hut on fire, do not go and set his hut too on fire lest you end up burning the whole village and thereafter where would you lay you head for the night?”
In the words of Paul, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them…Never pay back evil for evil to anyone…If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:14, 17-21).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours. Through your sorrowful passion, you have given us a perfect example of the attitude we should have in the face of evil. May your grace make us true disciples of yours. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).