7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus teaches his followers about the radical love that characterizes his kingdom. He begins by quoting the Old Testament law of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," which was a way of limiting retaliation to a proportionate response. However, Jesus goes on to say that his followers should not retaliate at all, but should instead turn the other cheek and love their enemies.

At first glance, this teaching may seem impractical or even naive. How can we love our enemies when they have hurt us or those we love? How can we turn the other cheek when we are being attacked? However, Jesus is not suggesting that we become doormats or that we ignore injustice. Rather, he is inviting us to adopt a different way of responding to conflict and violence – a way that is rooted in love and that has the potential to transform our enemies.

The key to understanding this teaching is to see it in the context of the larger biblical story. Throughout the Old Testament, God consistently calls his people to be a blessing to the nations around them. This means not just loving their neighbors, but also loving their enemies and seeking their well-being. In fact, the prophets often condemn Israel for failing to live up to this calling and for instead seeking revenge and violence against their enemies.

Jesus takes this call to love even further, by modeling it in his own life and by inviting his followers to do the same. When he was on the cross, he prayed for his enemies, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). He didn't retaliate or seek revenge, but instead showed love and compassion even in the face of violence.

This doesn't mean that we should never stand up for justice or defend ourselves and others against harm. In fact, there are many examples in the Bible of people who did just that. However, when we do so, we should do it in a way that is consistent with the love and grace that Jesus embodied. We should seek to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to respond to violence with nonviolent resistance.

Ultimately, this teaching is about more than just personal morality or individual behavior. It is about participating in God's kingdom, which is marked by love, justice, and peace. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be agents of this kingdom in the world – to embody its values and to work for its coming in all areas of life. When we respond to conflict and violence with love, we are not just being good people – we are participating in God's redemptive work in the world.

In conclusion, Matthew 5:38-48 challenges us to rethink our assumptions about revenge and violence, and to adopt a different way of responding to conflict that is rooted in love and grace. It is a radical call, but it is also a hopeful one, because it reminds us that even in the face of violence and injustice, we can still choose to love our enemies and to seek their well-being. This is not just a personal choice, but a way of participating in God's kingdom and working for a better world.