ONLY IN JESUS
(A biblical refection on THE 7th ORDINARY SUNDAY [YEAR A], 20 February 2011)
Gospel Reading: Mt 5:38-48
First Reading: Lev 19:1-2,17-18; Psalms: Ps 103:1-4,10,12-13; Second Reading: 1Cor 3:16-23
The Scripture Text
“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 any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have you 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.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt 5:38-48 RSV)
The Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” may seem brutal to us (Ex 21:23-24). Even at the time of Jesus, however, it was common practice that an injury could be made up for by the payment of a sum of money. But this law was intended to restrict the amount of vengeance that a person could exact when injured. This law prevented excessive punishment and limited retaliation to just one eye for one eye!
Jesus taught and personally witnessed to a new way which still fulfils the law (Mt 5:17-18); He said that we should not respond to evil or insult with violence (Mt 5:39-40). This is the way of love which Jesus Himself lived out during His passion. He was struck on the cheek but did not respond in kind (Mt 26:67); He was subjected to a cruel and painful death, but instead of hating His persecutors, He asked forgiveness for them (Lk 23:34). Jesus did not just fulfil the old law by what He said, He also lived it out practically, showing us what it means truly to love God and to love one’s neighbour.
As children of the Father through Jesus, we are called to live in the midst of evil with patient endurance. It is clear today that violence in our societies is a great problem. Revenge is often proportional to the harm done, and it is rare that we see instances of people turning the other cheek; reports of murders and assaults crowd the newspapers. What if people were to practice what Jesus taught and respond to violence as He did? Imagine if people did turn the cheek – did not get angry when offended! What if patience and kindness became the norm for relationships? This would have a radical effect on the cycle of violence that is destroying individuals, families and societies. Jesus even instructs us to love our enemies. This is one more way that Jesus brings to perfect completion the moral teaching which God began with the ‘Ten Commandments’. The Israelites were not expected to love everyone – just their fellow chosen people. But with Jesus’ offer of salvation to all, He makes all of humanity our neighbours. We must love them – friend and foe alike.
The words of our Gospel reading end with Jesus saying, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). These words are not a call to endless frustration and despair, but to a daily taking up and carrying of our Cross. We are perfected by love and doing our best to love. The first reading from Leviticus calls for forgiveness and love of the neighbour. The Sermon on the Mount, however, goes even further: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). This is very specific and challenging. Just think of the person who made your life uncomfortable. Just think of the enemy with whom you want to even the score. Now, if you really want to be holy (see Lev 19:2), forgive and pray for them. Moreover, do not seek revenge, but give of yourself or your resources to them when they ask.
Only in Jesus are we given the grace to live as He lived and to respond to others in love, rather than with violence. The Holy Spirit in us brings about the great power of Jesus to enable us to live this new way; without this, on our own, we cannot respond to others in love.
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us to love when we are not loved, for then we will be most like You. Let Your kindness and patience shine through us as a sign of the coming of the kingdom. Amen.