Breaking the Word

11^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 13^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 5,38-42

Call to be Benevolent

The old eye-for-an-eye commandment made two positive contributions: it checked wild revenge, and it taught justice. Actually, the Old Testament references (Ex 21,24; Lev 24,20; Deut 19,21) are concerned about a command to punish and a limitation on punishment – the punishment should not exceed the crime. However, authority for punishment was vested in the government, not in the individual.  Jesus went beyond the law to a higher righteousness by abolishing retaliation altogether. He showed his disciples that, whereas revenge was once legally permissible, now non-resistance was graciously possible. For this purpose, Jesus puts five cases wherein the disciples should not passively submit to injustice, but respond in a creative, non-violent way manifesting Christian meekness. Jesus makes the love of God as the fundamental command, on which all else stands to spread their wings. Love is not envious and does not take offense and retaliate (1 Cor 13,4-7). Jesus encourages his followers to respond with disproportionate kindness, promoting the good with generosity and benevolence. For benevolence, which is the glory of the divine nature, and the perfection of the human, rejoices in doing good forever.

10^th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 11^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 5,33-37

Integrity in Response  

In today’s antithesis, Jesus addresses those who use swearing as a sign that they are telling the truth. Swearing as a sign of honesty has been around since ancient times. When Jesus speaks against the swearing oaths, he’s not referring to serious, formal commitments like marriage or a courtroom witness. He’s condemning those who use the language of oaths to disguise dishonest intentions. He objects to people who swear by God and things related to God. God is not to be invoked as the guarantee of our honesty. We should be people who are dedicated to the truth at all times. Our affirmations or negations should be simply stated. It should be based on the fact that we are always speaking the truth and do not need God to be called upon whenever we want others to accept our statements as being truthful and honest. The fact of our dealing honestly does not need to be punctuated by swearing. Jesus’ command for believers is simple: let your words be “yes” and “no”. A believer ought to be honest in what they say and do. They should live a life of integrity that others trust them without seeking such oaths.