REFLECTION Sunday´s Gospel

7th Sunday of Year A (20 Feb 2011)

Fr James McTavish, FMVD

Conquer evil with good

Once my younger brother told me what happened to him in a debating competition. He presented his views and afterwards an opponent started to criticize his point of view. All well thus far as this is legitimate and part of debating skills. But then the opposing speaker started to make some slightly rude and derogatory remarks. My brother told me that some in his team were suggesting he should retaliate but he did not. I asked him how come he did not respond? “Because,” he told me, “I knew that what was being said was outside debating etiquette but I also knew that the moderator of the discussion was fair and just. In the end the opposing team were deducted valuable points for misconduct.” It made me reflect that we too are invited to trust in the good Judge, that we have someone who intervenes for us and protects our interests. There is no need to look for revenge.

This leads us to an important theme in our readings today which is not to take revenge. Now sometimes when we hear the word revenge we can think of spectacular examples, maybe like in a Godfather film. But let us keep within the sphere of usual and normal everyday life – have you never experienced being irritated by a comment and then the desire to get even? Or to desire that another ‘gets their just desserts’? These are also desires for revenge. The book of Leviticus gives us sound advice “Take no revenge and cherish no grudge.” It also states “you shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.” It does not mean we should not help to correct each other as it also says “you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, but do not incur sin because of him” (See Lev 19, 1-2, 17-18).

It reminds me of a similar teaching of St Paul when he wrote to the Church in Rome. He said “Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Rather, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21) This is a great plan for a healthy spiritual life! Instead of reacting and responding in kind we are exhorted to go beyond.

Jesus expands on this theme in the Gospel today (Matt 5, 38-48). He says “when someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well.” This is not an invite to justify injustices, or to condone violence. Not at all. One day a man was speaking to the village guru because he had been struck on the cheek by his brother. “How many times did he hit you?” asked the guru. “Forty nine times,” responded the man. The guru advised to go back and let his brother strike him once more to make it fifty. When the man asked why the guru replied “well the 50th is for your stupidity, you idiot! Why let your brother hit you 49 times without doing anything about it?” Actually in another moment when Jesus was struck by the temple guard he questioned him “Why do you strike me?” What is the correct answer then – to turn the other cheek or to question the offender? Well that is why God gave us a brain and asks us to try to use it sometimes! Prudence is the name of the virtue which helps us to know how to react in different ways in different situations. Many times in front of petty comments it is a good exercise of humility to ignore them. In other moments it is good to approach the person and confront them in a calm and respectful way.

The capacity for dialogue is important to keep a healthy communion. Silence is golden but not always. Often many things remain unsaid in families and communities. In medicine there is a saying that goes “if there is pus about let it out.” In the early Christian community some were fans of Paul others of Apollos. The apostles reminded the members that they should all favour Christ and follow him alone. Jesus gives another teaching saying “should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles.” In those times a Roman soldier could ask a local citizen to carry his pack and Jesus uses this example to teach us all that at times it is good to go the extra mile, not just to do the minimum. We are invited to moral excellence! If we notice there is a progressive biblical development from 1. Unlimited revenge – Cain’s spilled blood will be avenged 7 times (Gen 4, 15.24) 2. Limited revenge or talion (talion in Latin means same) – an eye for an eye which was actually progress in not taking two eyes as vengeance but only one 3. The silver rule – “Do not do unto others what you would not have them do to you” (Tobit 4,15) 4. The Golden rule – Do unto others as you would have them do to you (Matt 7, 12) – more positive than the silver rule, reaching out, taking the initiative and finally 5. Loving one’s enemies – an invite to moral heroism. To be perfect we have to love our enemies. This can sound far-fetched or not possible and that is why Jesus immediately adds “and pray for those who persecute you.” A great way to begin the process of loving a person we find difficult is to pray for them. If we greet only those people we like then there is nothing impressive about that. As Christians we are called to be perfect as the heavenly father is perfect.

It reminds us to not just conform to the standards of the world. Not to seek or desire revenge. Even the Aunty of Spiderman recognized the danger of those types of desires. She counselled Peter Parker thus “Uncle Ben wouldn't want us living with revenge in our hearts, it's like a poison. It can take you over and turn us into something ugly.” Let us ask for the grace of a big heart, a heart that is generous and forgiving not vengeful. And if we encounter evil let us pray for the grace to conquer it with good. Amen.