OFFER NO RESISTANCE TO ONE WHO IS EVIL.
THE GOODNEWS:
"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).
Monday 15th June in the 11th Week in Ordinary Time.
In the Gospel of today (Matthew 5: 38 - 42), we see Jesus transform the moral law and overlaid it with a higher code for the citizens of the Kingdom that He came to establish.
How did Jesus do this?
The main principles are in today's Gospel.
But the practicum is in 2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 10).
Before we comment on the Reading, let us consider a few principles.
The existence of the stubborn persistence of evil in the world is the major cause of unbelief today.
When you tell people that Christ has destroyed evil, they do not believe you because of the apparent dominance of evil everywhere.
Jesus teaches that the Answer to Evil is the CROSS.
"We adore Thee O Christ and praise Thee. Because of Your holy Cross
YOU have redeemed the world."
Jesus Christ redeemed the world by embracing the Cross that is the Will of Abba Father for the salvation of humanity and not running away from from it or arguing with Abba Father or challenging His wisdom.
Brothers and sisters, we too will be overcomers if we imitate our Captain.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 272) has a dense chapter which deals with how God overcomes Evil.
This is how Magis summarizes and comments on CCC 272:
CCC 272 "teaches that Christian faith does not set God’s power against God’s goodness: God’s omnipotence is ordered perfectly to his wisdom, justice, and love, so nothing can be in God’s power that is contrary to his just will or wise intellect. In other words, God is not a force that can do arbitrary or evil things; his power is the power of perfect Being, and evil is excluded because it is a privation of good and contrary to God’s nature."
"Offer no resistance to one who is evil." (Matthew 5: 39).
This Scripture verse offers us the CROSS through which we too can destroy evil.
Remember "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity." (Tertulian, 3rd Century African theologian).
Let us see the practicum (catechesis) for today's Gospel from Paul's letter to the Corinthians:
"We prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving." ((2 Corinthians 6: 4 - 5 & follows).
How did the early Christians overcome the most powerful empire ever designed by man?
The early Christians conquered the super powerful Roman Empire through the Cross.
They were crucified, thrown to wild beasts in amphitheaters all over the empire and experienced everything that Paul mentioned in the Letter to the Corinthian Church.
The martyrs did not receive the grace of God in vain because God is a Promise-Maker and a Promise-Keeper.
For God says:
“In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” (2 Corinthians 6: 2).
Those who persevere in this struggle will surely be saved and vindicated in the fullness of time.
Every promise of God comes to a beautiful fruition in the Fullness of time. (Cf Ecclesiastes 3: 11).
The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June.
"Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
Look intently at this magnificent promise among the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St Margaret Mary Alacoque.
No matter your state—whether struggling with habitual fault, fighting off spiritual lukewarmness, or striving for higher sanctity—the Sacred Heart is your exact teleological answer. If you are broken, He is the infinite ocean of mercy; if you are sluggish, He is the spark of fervor; if you are already running the race, He is the engine of perfection. Do not allow your human age, your physical tiredness, or your internal anxieties to make you stagnant.
Dive into this ocean today, knowing that Divine Providence intends for you to mount to high perfection before your earthly journey closes.
Prayer:
Sacred Heart of Jesus, plunge my soul into the infinite ocean of Your mercy.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Make our hearts like to Thine.
The Holy Catholic Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every day in June.
Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June and in the First Fridays of every month.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below.
