Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Gospel presents a well-known portion of the Sermon on the Mount, but also one that takes time to parse through. In Jesus' reframing of "An eye for an eye," we can be left wondering how is a disciple supposed to handle provocation. To frame this reflection I want to offer something that has always made sense to me. For a long time now I have approached moral questions like today's gospel from a threefold perspective instead of a twofold perspective. The three tiers being morally wrong, morally acceptable, and morally excellent.
We should consider what moral value "an eye for an eye" had prior. As far as laws go it was very practical. "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" was an anti-escalation law. Anyone who has been in a heated moment or witnessed a fight knows how quickly things can escalate. This law prevents retaliation based on my perception of the offense and rather limits the terms of recompense so as to seek a resolution and not perpetuate feuding. This also prevents profiteering off of an offense. Both escalation and profiteering would perpetuate the wound. While it might satisfy one party, it would otherwise disrupt the peace. While that is unacceptable, evening up the score seems morally permissible according to the Old Law. But Jesus does not intend to leave it that way.
Jesus does not make this ruling easier to understand. "An eye for an eye" presented simple math that could create an easily deduced and enforced system of judgments. The new system is less clear.
I have heard people break down each response: turning the other cheek, etc. They have explained that Jesus is not describing a pacifist's response but a response that is challengingly non-violent. They have explained that each of these circumstances draws the offender into a position to recognize the humanity of the victim. But what stood out to me today was control.
Each of the reactions described by Jesus today demands that someone respond in an intentional way. A disciple must not be controlled by passion and emotion. Rather disciples must have mastery over their emotions so that they do not retaliate but instead respond as Jesus describes. This is the call of a disciple because not long ago Jesus called us to be peacemakers and in just a little bit he is going to command that we love even our enemies. We cannot be people of escalation and retaliation. We need to be in control, in pursuit of peace, and aware of our love for the other. Without those principles, the cultural reasons why turning your cheek would disarm someone is just trivia.
- Spencer Hargadon