Eye To Eye

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. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” (Matthew 5:38-42)

Classic Jesus’ teaching, and we all know it.  Do we believe it, or does it appear to be nonsense?  Jesus speaks of revenge and its consequences.  Revenge spirals conflicts and can lead to mutual destruction.  It’s hammer-and-tong interaction, even warfare of words if not actions leading to emotional and physical harm.

In Jesus’ time resistance to evil led to torture and crucifixion.  The vast majority of people was powerless and subject to cruel and immediate persecution.   Peaceful resistance was the only response having any chance of success.

However, during these times resistance to one who is evil is important.  Turning the other cheek, handing over our cloak, and going the extra mile will serve no purpose but to embolden the one who is evil who looks for weakness.

Evil lurks in many places and in organizations, including within our own Church.  Evil is not always singular; it can be plural meaning many people can band together to scapegoat or achieve objectives not for the common good.

An eye for an eye leaves us all blind.  Going eye-to-eye with evil ones instead of turning a blind eye is the way to confront purveyors of anti-Christ behavior.

Deacon David Pierce