Word to the Wise
Monday, June 14, 2010 - Monday in the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kings 21:17-29 and Matthew 5:38-42]You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
Many critics of Christianity have dismissed Jesus' teaching on non-violence as impractical and unrealistic, and have pointed to centuries of violence supposedly done in the name of Christ! Those arguments would make Christians either naive or hypocritical! Jesus was neither. There is no question that Christians, both individually and collectively, have failed to live up to the teaching time and time again. But there is nothing wrong with the teaching, nor is it an impossible ideal. It is not to be confined to human notions of pacifism in time of war, either. Non-violence is a logical consequence of the love of God and neighbor! It extends to every area of life! It can be frightening to realize how many forms violence takes in our various cultures around the world. The various news media provide more than enough samples in daily reporting! Sad to say, it can be strangely attractive to some folks who deliberately seek out opportunities to observe or participate in violent moments. One does not have to join a particular organization or movement dedicated to non-violence in order to live up to Jesus' teaching. One simply needs to begin living that teaching personally. Even what we might consider to be insignificant instances can be important - the "road rage" we feel at times!! We can avoid (even if it is difficult) forms of entertainment or media that glorify violence. If we have faith in Jesus, we cannot dismiss any teaching of his as "naive or unrealistic." The problem is not there. The problem is in our failure to take the teaching seriously enough to live it. AMEN
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