Non-Resistance

Gospel: Matthew 5: 38-42

In an age of perpetual grievance and endless litigation, the words of Jesus is today's Gospel portion are utterly foreign and unintelligible.  The culture in which we live encourages us to be outraged and continually in protest mode; conflict sells.  Such a culture does not seek solutions or resolutions to these conflicts.  That would be bad for business.  So we are perpetually at war with one another and with ourselves.

But what if there were a third way - one that is not an endorsement of the  unjust system, nor is it one so keyed up in grievance that never abates?  What if we were to actually carry and bear our cross, what if patient long suffering were our form of protest?  To suffer and not be broken or acquiesce to the culture - and to love and forgive those who mistreat us - well, what about that?  That is the path Jesus offers to us today.

Yes, we must stand in protest and raise our voices to protect the most marginalized and vulnerable people in society.  But as we are all too aware, if we expect lawless men to respect rights and heed the rule of law we will be sorely disappointed.  Jesus shows us the way to live - and to die - in such a culture, for that was his experience of the world as well.  The way of Jesus will always lead to new life, to resurrection and glory.