“Matthew 5:38-42”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
Gospel:
(Matthew 5:38-42 / Teachings About Revenge)
“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; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak
as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give
to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”
Reflection: My Friends,
How
do you repay, respond or act when insults are hurled at you? What if someone
took advantage of you? Are you kind? Do you have the courage to return evil
with good? Do you stop the evil -right then and there or do you continue it
with revenge and hurtful, hateful words or actions back at the other person? If
we are to follow after Jesus and if we are to be like Jesus; then for many -this
aspect of our faith might be very difficult and challenging. In all of Jesus’
teaching it is very clear that we must never show retaliation; rather we must
respond with mercy, love and kindness. Evil cannot be defeated by fueling it
with more evil, rather it must be distinguished with love and kindness. Just
like darkness can easily be defeated with light, even the smallest amount of
light can easily be seen in the darkest of places. So must we return evil with
good. 
Only
at the Cross before Jesus will we be able to free ourselves from the selfishness
and empty conceit of hatred and resentment. This takes great courage to be like
Jesus, don’t misunderstand this and see this as weakness. Weakness gives in and
caves in and we hurl back at others. It takes great courage and great love for
someone to not respond in such a way.
Look
at Jesus: How did He respond? Even on the Cross, He suffered insults, abuse and
deep rooted hatred; yet He responded with love, by asking God to forgive them.
It is through His blood, that we also will be able to merciful and loving; even
to those who hate us and insult us. My friends we are not like those of this
world in so many ways. We don’t attach ourselves to the things of this world;
we don’t get all involved with the selfishness of pride that goes with titles
and values based on worldly accomplishments and now added to that we learn by
Jesus’ example to detach ourselves from the insults and hatred of the world
that are directed towards us. This won’t be easy, Jesus never said it would be.
Pondering
these thoughts today:
Consider the Prayer of Anselm. “O
merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit;
with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility,
and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who
despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who
makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on
the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us
humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures
of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Our faith is distinct most significantly in how we treat others; even and most
especially to those who treat us with hated.
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
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