Wednesday, June 11, 2014

An Eye for an Eye . . . Not!

Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, continues to shock and stun the crowd by turning the old social order upside down.
“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not retaliate against someone who has hurt you. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, offer the other one as well.”
I can almost hear St Peter’s response, “Jesus, you have got to be kidding me!”

The Old Testament commandment of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was meant to moderate the extent of righteous retaliation. The retaliation from the injured person should not exceed the injury itself. But Jesus gives the people gathered on the hillside that day, and through them us, a whole new mindset: Forget disproportionate retaliation; there shall be no retaliation at all!

As hard this is for us to hear, Jesus wasn’t kidding around. He really meant what he said. He proved this by submitting to death on the cross at the hands of evil men. But what does this mean for you and for me?

We each have to answer that question for ourselves; but by choosing to live as Jesus calls us to live, we will find peace and wholeness and, ultimately, eternal life with God.

If we are carrying around any anger or bitterness or a desire for revenge, today is a very good day to let it go.
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Readers of this blog might enjoy these books by Deacon Lex. Both are available on Amazon.com:

Just to Follow My Friend: Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life

Synchronicity as the Work of the Holy Spirit: Jungian Insights for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Ministry


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