In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28). In this section Jesus continues his authoritative interpretation of the Torah, the Scripture. He first quotes a Scripture text: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” (Matthew 5:38; Exodus 21:24).
“But if injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Exodus 21:23-24).
Jesus rejects or at least modifies this teaching:
“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.” (5:39).
This teaching of Jesus is challenging indeed. His next teaching is even more challenging.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…” (5:43-44).
Jesus is challenging us to act like God. We are children of God and Jesus calls us to imitate our heavenly Father. As Jesus teaches repeatedly, God is generous even wasteful or prodigal with his mercy and love and we are called to act like God:
“that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” (5:45).
We are called upon to return good for evil and “turn the other cheek.” Paul echoes this same teaching: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.” (Romans 12:17). This does not mean that we should allow ourselves to be taken advantage of or that we should stay in an abusive relationship. God does not want this and wants us to live in peace. We are challenged in our daily life, however, to ask ourselves how Jesus would respond and always try to be generous, merciful, and loving in our response.
Image: “Amsterdam – Rijksmuseum – Late Rembrandt Exposition 2015 – Christ Preaching (La Petite Tombe) c.1652 A” by Rembrandt is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.