First Discourse in Matthew: Retaliation

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. ~ Matthew 5:38-42
An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

This quote from Matthew has often been used to justify abuse. Like, we just have to take it when someone beats us.

 There's more happening here, some clever playing on words from Jesus. There's the awkwardness of a Roman Centurion striking you on both cheeks or making you walk a second mile. There was humor here that his hearers would have gotten and so they would have known this was not Jesus advocating that they put themselves in harm's way.

 But taking that all aside, there is something else to this that Gandhi gets to the heart of.

 We've seen the trope in movies and TV shows, haven't we? How revenge gets out of control? How one act of anger can lead to a retribution that is even worse.

 Does it ever really fix things?

 It might feel good for a moment, but it's fleeting. I don't need to tell you this.

 Yet over and over again, we find ways big and small to get sucked in to that fleeting feeling of revenge.

 It's a big step between allowing ourselves to be abused and stopping the abuse.

 But to stop it, retribution, revenge, won't do the job.

 Even if it feels good for a moment.
Prayer: Let the cycle of anger stop with me, Lord. Amen

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