Word to the Wise
Monday, June 13, 2011 - Monday in the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Cor 6:1-10 and Matt 5:38-42,989]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] As your fellow workers, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain...[2 Corinthians]
When Jesus quotes from the Book of Exodus about revenge, he is quoting a law that goes back much further to ancient Babylon, which was intended to LIMIT revenge to only the damage initially done!!! ONLY an eye for an eye, etc.! It is clear that the problem of violence, which, biblically goes back to Cain and Abel, has resisted reform throughout history. The philosopher, Rene Girard, has done some profound work on the roots of violence in human society. His insights would take too long here to sum up, but he points out in his later work that the death of Christ has the power to break the "chain of violence" and the need to find a scapegoat for the collective guilt we have. It would appear that humanity is having a tough time accepting that fact! One of the worst effects of original sin is the way in which violence can take root in us individually and collectively. We start interpreting the ancient law as saying, AT LEAST an eye for an eye, etc. The words of Jesus about offering no resistance are rejected in the face of the desire for revenge! We as much as say, "Jesus, you don't know what you're talking about!"
When St. Paul urges us not to receive the grace of God in vain, we have only to look at the ways in which we ignore the gift of non-violence that Jesus brings to us. If we could look squarely at violence and stop making excuses for our destructive conduct, we could recognize that gift and no longer receive the grace of God in vain! AMEN