Sunday/Monday Homily Matthew 5:38-42
William George, SJ
Senior Advisor to the President at Gregorian University Foundation
Dear Friends,
In this passage Jesus takes on the ancient rule, “an eye for an eye,” which seems hard to us, but was originally intended to be humanitarian, to limit revenge, only ONE eye, not two or three, to exact reciprocity.?When first introduced it was making genuine moral progress.?In Jesus’ time it was beginning to be considered too harsh and other punishments were being given instead.?
“Do not resist evil,” is Jesus teaching us to avoid physical evil or damage.?It does leave open the possibility of psychological or moral resistance, e.g., the “media fighting” of Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King.?It is important that Jesus does have a strategy for winning, not just resignation or indifference to evil.
The goal is to shame the opponent into a change of heart.?This presupposes the requisite disposition in the opponent which is not always present.?In such difficult cases, recourse to other biblical principles may be necessary.?
The line about giving to beggars goes beyond the scope of nonresistance to evils to advocate general kindness, forbearance, generosity, and an open attitude toward all people, even the marginalized.?
No other philosopher or spiritual leader has ever said "love your enemy."?Such a radical statement is unique to Jesus, Our Lord.?So just what is love in Jesus’ sense??I don’t think he would say give in to an insane Putin.?Jesus seeks the truth, so I believe he would pray for a change of heart, but surely not let injustice prevail.?God can be defined as?ABSOLUTE LOVE, BUT ALSO ABSOLUTE JUSTICE.?Both go hand in hand.
In today’s readings, the Church is challenging us to cope with the violence and moral evil in our world more patiently than the world would. Have a less judgmental and more open attitude.?When confronting evil, be careful not to create more.?Look out for hidden traps, look around the corners, and think of the long-term consequences.
Love your enemy, but all of us are God’s children.?“Love your neighbor as yourself” is the golden rule.??
Peace,?
Fr. George SJ