Retaliate or Reconcile
“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. (Matthew 5: 38-39)
In today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, how do you deal with insult, hurt, evil, injustice…? Two reactions immediately come to mind are: retaliate or reconcile. In this world, you will always find retaliation. What about us, Christians, who live in this world? Reconciliation should be our goal because without reconciliation there is no peace. Jesus gives us the example of profound charity and love as a response to evil, hurt, and insult. He calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This is the way of our heavenly Father. How very hard it is for our human nature to accept this way of acting. We usually want to return insult for insult, hurt for hurt, and evil for evil. It would seem that only those with the willingness and strength that come from a strong faith are able to forgive those who have deliberately harmed them. Yet, it is possible for us to forgive, to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile. There are many examples among the heroes of our Church. Therese of Lisieux was known for her willing acceptance of the sacrifices that were asked of her. Her little way was her path to sainthood. Maria Goretti, on her deathbed, forgave the young man who attacked her. Her mother also forgave him when he begged forgiveness. Maximilian Kolbe went beyond all that was required of him when he took the place of a fellow prisoner sentenced to death by the Nazi guards. John Paul II sought out the man who attempted to murder him and forgave him. Of course, Jesus was the greatest example of forgiveness and charity toward those who taunted and persecuted him. His words, even from the Cross, were filled with love. We can start in little ways to accept, to forgive, to grow in charity and love when we encounter those who would do us harm. We can smile instead of cursing at the person who cuts us off in traffic. We can seek compromise when there is a difference of opinion in the workplace. We can be the first to apologize for the part we played in a family dispute. We can listen with open minds to those ideas that conflict with our own and choose Christ's way of love to resolve our disagreements. To help us become more like Jesus, we can offer a simple prayer each day, especially when we face-to-face with those who do us harm– “Dear God and Father, as you are patient with me, help me to be patient with my brothers and sisters in Christ.” With such a prayer in our hearts, may God bless us with His peace today and always.
O Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for us all. Hail Mary full of grace…
Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen