Word to the Wise
Monday, June 19, 2017 - Monday in the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Cor 6:1-10 and Matt 5:38-42]MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2017. MONDAY IN THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [2 Corinthians 6:1-10 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 one to him as well." [Matthew] Imagine yourself in a conversation with the "judge" featured in Matthew 25:31-45. "I did everything I could to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, welcome the stranger. And yes, I committed unspeakable acts of violence as well when I felt threatened in the least way. When I was pushed, I pushed back harder. When I was struck, I struck back harder." What can you imagine the response of the Divine Judge will be? There are many who feel that Jesus was being naive then and now in his teachings about violence. The response from many is, "You don't understand, Jesus! We live in a violent world. I have to have a gun to protect myself, my family, my home. Anybody who touches those in the wrong way, I'm going to shoot to kill. " I can't say that I would want to be the one to argue this point with Jesus. It is not as if the world is more violent now than it was in Jesus' time on earth. History teaches differently. The teaching is clear and a thousand "what if's" do not change it. "Just War" theories do not change it. Christianity has struggled with this teaching and will continue to do so. Anti-violence starts with determined individuals like Ghandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.. We can be a determined individual too. If so, at least we will not have to answer about this matter at the Final Judgment. AMEN