Applying the Beatitudes

Gospel: Matthew 5: 38-42

The modern Christian will defend the lex talonis as one that was merciful compared to its day.  They will utterly ignore the fact that Jesus entirely disposes of the law in this passage, replacing it with the Beatitudes of mercy, meekness, and justice.  The follower of Jesus is to give beyond what is asked, to reject violence and vengeance entirely, and to care for those who are in need and those gripped by crippling debts.  

Yet, the modern Christian will be the first to defend any and every war and appeal to violence.  They will mock the poor and have no sympathy whatever for those in the chains of debt.  They will come to the defense of the usurer instead of their victims.  As in so many instances, the modern Christian bears no resemblance whatever to the teaching and example of Jesus.  The same Lord who stood between the adulterous woman and her accusers stands between us and our intended victims as well.

Today is a day for us to apply these Beatitudes to our daily lives and attitudes.  Rather than forming our attitudes about others from the media, let us instead encounter others directly - those from other countries, other religions and ways of life - like Jesus did.  The Lord invites us to be generous with those in need and in debt.  Consider all the possessions we have in our homes that we do not need and give them to those who do.  This is the way of the Beatitudes, the way of Jesus.