THE SEVETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
GOSPEL: Matt 5:38-48
Dear friends,
Today, the church turns our attention to this very important theological virtue, Love. We celebrate the Lord who is compassionate and love. As we celebrate Christ who is love, the church calls us to be like Him. This is because, we are built into Christ, like stones built into a temple erected to give glory to God.
Love is a very simple word. It is made up of just four alphabets (L-O-V-E). In spite of its simplicity, it is one of the most difficult virtues to practice. This is because, it is easier to talk about love it than to practice it. We are supposed to be “Ile Ife” (house of love), from which love flows and is dispensed to others. So, to be a disciple of Christ, is to love without boundary and unconditionally.
Today, Christ gives us a new command. Being able to love irrespective of much difficulties is a mark of a true Christian. Love unites, because it forgives, tolerates, corrects gently and patiently (1Cor 13). A community that lacks true love never progresses. Likewise, a family that lacks love never stands. An individual who lacks love cannot love even oneself.
Jesus preached love and generosity towards our enemies. Unfortunately, by nature we are vindictive. However, vindictiveness only corrodes our heart and grieves our spirit. We should emulate Christ who prayed for his enemies: “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23, 34). We must be willing to leave retaliation in God’s hands. Christ did not threaten His accusers, rather, he showed them love, because love is the root of life. It is the medicine that heals every heart.
The principle of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” seems to be just. The punishment should fit the crime. Jesus, however, tells his followers not to resist one who is evil (5:39). In fact, when wronged, it is better to suffer more wrong than to retaliate unjustly.
If we are to heal the brokenness in our lives, reconcile our relationships, and end the violence in our world we have to stop being fair towards each other and start loving one another. Evil for evil, violence for violence, hit for hit, word for word will never change anything. It only escalates the violence and entrenches us deeper in the way things already are. It only reveals who we serve and who guides our thinking and actions, ourselves.
Fairness can never change our lives and world. Only love can do that. Turn the other cheek, give your last piece of clothing, go the extra mile. That means we “do not resist an evildoer.” That doesn’t mean, however, that we are to just sit there and take it. It means non-retaliation. It means choosing love instead of fairness. It means loving our enemies and praying for those who hurt us. Let’s us put this love in action by bring hope to the needy children through CARITAS.