szukaj
Wyszukaj w serwisie


#TomorrowIsSunday | What instead of the principle of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”?

Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik / 18.02.2023
Statue of Jesus (Trastavere-Rome), Photo Credit Sr Amata CSFN
Statue of Jesus (Trastavere-Rome), Photo Credit Sr Amata CSFN

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time; Year A

19 February 2023

Gospel: Mt 5:38-48 >>>

 

You can download the commentary on the Gospel and beautiful photos >>>


1. A word of introduction

The Gospel for this Sunday is a continuation of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, called the constitution of Christians. Referring to circulating misconceptions, Jesus shows us the way to true Christian perfection.

 

2.Keywords

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.

Talion principle: “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” is indeed found in the Old Testament, in Leviticus (24:17-21). It was intended for judges to prevent the infliction of too severe punishments. However, at the time of Jesus, it was commonly interpreted as the right of every person to take personal revenge and retaliate.

Good deeds cannot come from a heart in which there is hatred and a desire for revenge. This is why Jesus encourages people to choose love and forgiveness. Patient and forgiving love is much more powerful than quarreling and aggression. Only such love can break the spiral of evil and bring reconciliation and peace.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy”. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

The Mosaic Law commanded to love one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). However, nowhere in the Old Testament do we find God’s commandment to hate the enemy. Some teachers in Jesus’ time added the obligation to hate one’s enemy.

Jesus reminds us that all people are our neighbors, including our enemies. He understood that there might be unfriendly, difficult, hostile people around us. Yet, he wants us to be guided by a desire to do good for everyone, and to love our neighbor. The commandment of love is the Christians’ most powerful weapon. Praying for those who harass us, persecute us, and do evil, can also help us achieve the freedom of heart to love our neighbors.

 

3. Today

Jesus has shown us his love, mercy, and forgiveness. He warns us not to hold on to anger or hatred toward others. What is my attitude toward unfriendly and difficult people? Do I pray for them? Let us ask the Lord for a forgiving and merciful heart, following the example of the Heart of Jesus.

 

#TomorrowIsSunday | What should our justice be like according to Jesus? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | Eight tips to be happy >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | How did Jesus differ from John the Baptist in his approach to the people? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | Why does John call Jesus a Lamb? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | Similarities and differences between the attitudes of Mary and the shepherds >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | What does the name Jesus mean? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | What is the most important task of John the Baptist? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | Two different meanings of the word „repent” >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | Two paradoxes of Advent >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN) | What kind of king is Jesus? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN) | What is there today where the Jerusalem Temple was? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What did Jesus say about resurrection? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why does God like haste? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why was the sinner justified and the Law-keeper not? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Prayer like a black eye >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why is gratefulness important in life? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What does a mustard seed tell us about faith? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | How can being rich help you to be saved? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What did Jesus say about money? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What is the personalism of Jesus? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What does Jesus mean when He talks about “hating one’s family and even one’s own life”? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Is humility a weakness? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Who will be saved? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why does Jesus bring division? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Does God wait on us? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Money is a good servant, but a bad master >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) A third of the Lord’s Prayer is about forgiveness >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What do we learn from the example of Martha and Mary during our vacation time? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Our neighbour – a stranger, someone we do not know? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Jesus’ manual for preachers of the Gospel >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why did Jesus live as if he were homeless? >>>

TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Corpus Christi. What is the miracle? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What does the Trinity teach us? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What does Jesus call the Holy Spirit? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | How does Jesus continue to help us after the Ascension? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | How can God dwell in us? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What kind of love is best? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN + ES) | How to hear Jesus? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What rebuilds a relationship with Jesus? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why is this Sunday Compared to a “Second Baptism”? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Jesus’ greatest miracle >>>

TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What Is Unique About the Description of Jesus’ Passion in the Gospel of Luke? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday | What does Jesus write in the sand? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What is the scandal of mercy? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why Does Jesus Pray? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What Should One Do when Tempted? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | What Do a Hypocrite and a Mask Have in Common? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why should we love our enemies? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Jesus’ Counsel Regarding Hatred Prompted by Faith >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (En+ES) | In the Bible, what does it mean to be “fisher of men”? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why is Nazareth a Tragic City? >>>

#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Who is Theophilus for whom Luke wrote the Gospel? >>>

Dodaj komentarz

Twój adres e-mail nie zostanie opublikowany. Wymagane pola są oznaczone *

Avatar użytkownika, wgrany podczas tworzenia komentarza.


2024-10-04 23:15:12