Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.
As I have read about the controversies of the early church which formulated the doctrines of the Incarnation and the Trinity, I have wondered why they considered the issues a matter of life and death. Was it not possible to agree to disagree? To live and let live? It was only religion after all, and isn't religion always a matter of opinion?
But as I hear of and meet American citizens who believe that violence may be necessary to save the nation, I begin to understand the concern of those ancient bishops.
I read turn the other cheek and other gospel passages with contemporary anguish. This teaching is neither an ideal, Hebraic hyperbole, a teaching about heroic virtue, nor a worthy opinion to think about. It is a matter of life and death. Either we love our neighbors and turn the other cheek when insulted, assaulted, and unjustly accused or we die. We must be willing and ready to hand over our cloaks and go the extra mile or expect what amounts to divine wrath.
That divine wrath doesn't come from rivers polluted with wormwood or stars falling to earth. Those biblical scenarios only approximate what we have done and might do again to one another. A nation who remembers the American Civil War, and the First and Second World Wars should recognize an apocalyptic crisis. It should know how serious this moment is.
The Gospel teaches Christians the posture we should assume as we navigate this hour. We cannot be eager to win arguments by shouting down our opponents; we cannot expect to persuade people with threats of violence. We must hear and respect their fears. Frightened people usually respond with anger and, feeling trapped, often resort to aggression and violence.
Christians who have died and risen with the Lord through our Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Penance can manage fear. We understand that the same Spirit who led Jesus into Gethsemane and escorted him to Calvary will allay our fear. We fear the Lord and nothing else. Surviving the spasm of terror which felled Jesus to the ground, we regard our opponents with compassion. We remember Saint Julian's assurance, "All will be well, and all will be well, and all matter of things will be well."
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.