Paying Evil with Love

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN THE ORDINARY
TIME YEAR C, BY REV FR EKESHIRI JUDE EMEKA CSSP.
Colossians 3:12-17, Psalm 150:1-6, Luke 6:27-38).
How do we know that one is a true follower of Christ? Is it by words of proclamation or by action? Beloved in Christ, action speaks louder than words. The life patterns of a true disciple of Christ should be based on love and kindness and not by SHOWMANSHIP. Christian spirituality is a life of paying evil with love.

Jesus’s teachings expresses deeper spiritual insights that are confusing or difficult to practice by one with faint spirituality. In the gospel, give gives us basic instructions that seem to contradict how human beings behave, yet leads to a higher life in Christ. He says, “I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would to do you, do so to them” (Luke 6:27-38). Ordinarily, people seek revenge other than letting go, because everyone would want to be feared for being powerful. But Jesus says, let them be, I mean those who treat you unjustly.

When He says, if anyone hit you on one cheek, turn the other cheek, He does not mean it literally, He meant avoiding revenge or retaliation. This is very difficult to practice but as one with divine insight, love must take its course. One thing that these powerful lessons teaches us is that, there is something far more important in life than the humiliation of being struck on the cheek and having your possessions stolen. What is that more important thing? It’s the salvation of souls.

If we were to go through life demanding earthly justice and retribution for wrongs received, we would not be able to focus upon that which is most important. We would not be able to focus upon the salvation of those who have wronged us. It’s easy to love those who are kind to us. But our love must extend to everyone, and sometimes the form of love we must offer another is the free acceptance of injustices they commit against us. There is great power in this act of love. But we will only be able to love another this way if our deep desire is for their eternal salvation. If all we want is earthly justice and satisfaction for wrongs committed, we may achieve that. But it may come at the expense of their salvation.

Jesus expresses a golden rule of, do to others as you wish done to you. In that case if you wish evil to be done to you, should you do evil to others? No. Jesus only teaches love for God, love for oneself and love to others.

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that, when someone is unjust to us, the best way to keep them right is to treat them the way they treat us and others. But that’s clearly not what Jesus taught. His message is so much clearer and deeper in love. He knew that a profound act of mercy and forgiveness to another, especially when they have hurt us deeply, is one of the greatest gifts we can give. In this case all will know that we believe in Jesus and we belong to Him. Peace be with you.