Gospel for February 19 2023 – Matthew 5:38-48
Gospel Reflections for February 19 2023
What to do when attacked…
Most likely, you want …revenge!
That may happen with the US and China soon, although thankfully not yet as I write this.
Jesus knew that revenge happens all too often and so teaches the most dramatic words of all …Love your enemies. But it is His other sentence that is even harder to understand …If someone strikes you on the right cheek …offer the other!
Why does Jesus say this? Well, if you instantly react in revenge when another person hurts you …then you are actually controlled by that person. They have pushed your button and made you respond. Do you really want that bad person to be in charge? I hope not. Jesus offers you a new way that gives you a stronger sense of personal dignity and empowerment.
What actually hurts when people attack you is your loss of personal dignity. That’s what striking the right cheek actually means.
To hit you right cheek with their right hand can only happen with a backhand slap to your face, which is much more an insult to your dignity and not a strong physical attack.
But God affirms that your personal dignity never comes from other people. Your dignity comes directly from God, who always affirms unconditional love for you.
Therefore, no one can ever take your dignity away. Therefore, your behavior remains under your control and never just an automatic response of revenge. How powerful is that!
The old way of revenge was; If you treat me well, I will treat you well. If you treat me badly …I will treat you badly. Jesus changes that to; If you treat me well, I will treat you well. If you treat me badly …I will treat you well!
You will treat people well no matter what. Therefore, you never have to worry about meeting bad people. You will just treat everyone well. You remain in charge of your day!.
Of course, crimes, physical violence, or even Communist Chinese aggression, must face firm resistance and accountability under local or international law, but never for revenge, and only for the good of the other, and only for the purpose of changing their behavior.
This Gospel is a path of enormous personal empowerment, where you remain master of your own behavior and dignity, and never a victim. Good news for the world today as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth would leave many blind and toothless people in the world. Jesus had a better way of dealing with attacks. Love those that persecute you. That is more difficult but a far better way to attain Peace in our midst.
The current upheaval caused by liberal versus Conservative in political discussions brings discourse into daily living and upsets people daily.
Suppose instead of Rancor we inject Love and try to work out our differences in a peaceful manner. Would that not improve living with each other?
Jesus gives us the Key to Peaceful and enlightened ways to exist here and eternally.
I think you understood this Gospel perfectly!
A beautiful explanation on how to deal with revenge, Fr. Dave!
I like your thoughts…”When we treat people well we remain in charge”
I think another way to respond to someone who is speaking about revenge
would be to walk away and wish them well.
.
Yes, that is always a good plan!