BE KIND TO SOMEONE
God is different
than us because He sees the whole picture in a unique light. He views human
activity as a loving Father Who is eager to have all His children return to Him
no matter what they have done.
Ahab
was an evil King and he was exceeded in his bad doings by his pagan wife,
Jezebel. In fact, the name "Jezebel" has entered our language to
refer to "a wicked or bold woman." Ahab, not satisfied with all he
possessed as King, wanted the vineyard, which belonged to Naboth. When Naboth,
fully within his rights refused to sell it, Ahab apparently was willing to back
off, but not Jezebel. She perpetrated the terrible murder of Naboth and told
her husband that he could take the vineyard without even paying for it.
People
like Ahab and Jezebel arouse our wrath. When we hear in the news about terrible
crimes such as the hideous rape and murder of a little child, or the drug
dealers that we hear about everyday, we wish that God would follow the old way
of "an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth." Tomorrow's reading will
show us how God relented in the punishment due Ahab because he repented. There
is a temptation for us not to go along with that kind of mercy. But Jesus came
to reveal that God does not will the death of the sinner, but that he repent
and be saved. I only wish our media would feel that way!
In
today's Gospel, when Jesus spoke about God's Law, He did something no one had
done before. He gave a new standard based not just on the requirements of
righteousness (i.e. giving each what is due), but based on the law of grace and
love. Jesus knew the law of the world, "If injury ensues, you shall give
life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn
for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" (Ex. 21:23-25). Such a law
today seems cruel and unjust, but it was meant to limit vengeance as a first
step towards mercy.
The
Scriptures are full of references commanding us to be a merciful people. In the
Book of Leviticus, we read, "You shall not take vengeance or bear any
grudge against people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the
Lord" (Lev. 19:18). Matthew's Gospel also tells us to "give to the
one who asks of you" (Mt. 5:42). Jesus has done something remarkable and
unheard of; He transforms the law of mercy with grace and loving kindness.
Jesus also makes clear that there is no room for retaliation. We must not only
avoid returning what is bad for bad, but we must seek the good of those who
wish us ill. Do we accept insults as Jesus did, with no resentment or malice?
When we are compelled by others to do more than we think we deserve, do we
insist on our rights or do we respond with grace and cheerfulness? Tough stuff
to think about!
God
is different than us because He sees the whole picture in a unique light. He
views human activity as a loving Father Who is eager to have all His children
return to Him no matter what they have done. It is not that God fails to give
justice. He is just, but His sense of justice is entirely different from our
world.
Mark
Twain made this remark and I think it is fitting for today's reflection:
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can
see."
May
we pray that those who do bad things will repent and return to the Lord, our
Savior!