DO NOT RESIST ONE WHO IS EVIL…

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

1 Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We put no obstacle in any one’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger;
6 by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,
7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed;10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Matthew 5:38-42

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. 

MEDITATION

St PAUL’S APOSTOLIC EPISTLE is directed specifically at the leadership of the Church, but it is all the more binding on the laity who are also called to be heroes of the faith. Paul’s language and instructions have the ingredients and sentiments of a military commander who prepare his troops for the spiritual battles that await each soldier of God. 
Our endeavors to be authentic Christians are certainly not for the milquetoast or coward who may surrender their faith in the face of retribution, pain and suffering. We are reminded of another exhortation from Paul that we “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12) which imply that because of our love of God, we resist the temptation to compromise His teachings and commands.

St MATTHEW chronicle a part of the sermon on the mountain that is ordered to humble the believer to the extent that our reaction and response to evil or vitriolic attacks be met with a “joyful” (Mt 5:11) response! To be sure our Lords teaching is antithetic and in opposition to the ‘regular’ way in which the evil one desire we respond to injustice and recriminations that is not well founded or truthful.
Christ so to speak dare us to not be as the world whilst we are in the world! Like Christ, we are called to be humble,”keep our cool” and remain authentic and truthful in the midtst of pain and suffering.  Kindness, charity and respectfulness in difficult circumstances are the best antidote that have the potential to temper, surprise and possibly soften the heart and soul of the ‘strongman!’ Whilst we can agree that our Lords teaching is not for the faint-hearted, it shall strengthen and win us the joy and peace of Christ Jesus, in and through the Holy Spirit.

LET US PRAY:Psalms 98:1-4

1 A Psalm.

O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2 The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.