Don’t react

Greetings on this the Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kgs 21:1-16; Ps 5:2-3ab, 4b-6a, 6b-7; Mt 5:38-42

The Self-Possessed Possess Little

In our gospel portion today, Jesus radically alters the idea of possessions, human dignity and human autonomy. This is truly radical in nature. In the words of Jesus there is a new way of encountering the ways of the world. Don’t react. Don’t enter into the plain of being these others are operating at.

In our modern language today we would say:
A. When they go low, we go high.
B. My bodily integrity is beyond the reach of those who bruise my body.
C. I am not my possessions, I am self-possessed in the divine dignity.
D. I am not by autonomy, my autonomy is to resist evil’s effect within me.
E. I am not possessed by things, I possess things to give away.
F. I am not the judge of credit, I credit all who need me.

Words of Jesus:

1. Offer no resistance to one who is evil.
2. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
3. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
4. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
5. Give to the one who asks of you.
6. Do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

Summary

Who does not share a sense of outrage at the treatment Naboth received at the hands of the elders, nobles, King Ahab and his wife Jezebel? Does not our instinctive response plead for justice? Do we not repeat what the psalmist says: Lord, listen to my groaning. Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Jesus instead offers this perspective, do no reply with evil, reply with good. Do not let evil enter you. Push it back with kindness.

Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good (Rom 12:19-21).

Reflection

Do not allow the modern day corrupt elders, corrupt nobles, corrupt politicians and a corrupt Jezebel offer you a path of vengeance. You may or may not have a just grievance. Make peace anyway. Don’t let this evil talk penetrate you.

Personal Reflection

I have to step away from some discussion when they move more and more toward judgement and vengeance. I refuse to be manipulated into the camp of those who manufacture grievance or those who have actual grievance and wish vengeance. Either is evil. Both destroy the ones who allow it home in their hearts.

First Reading

This is what she wrote in the letters: “Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. Next, get two scoundrels to face him and accuse him of having cursed God and king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” His fellow citizens—the elders and nobles who dwelt in his city— did as Jezebel had ordered them in writing, through the letters she had sent them.

Responsorial

Lord, listen to my groaning.

Gospel Acclamation

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.

Gospel

But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry