Matthew 5:38-42

Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples:

“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.

When someone strikes you on your right cheek,

turn the other one to him as well.

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,

hand him your cloak as well.

Should anyone press you into service for one mile,

go with him for two miles.

Give to the one who asks of you,

and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, help me to see how true justice and mercy flow from you, the source of all justice and the fount of all mercy. I am called to imitate your justice and mercy. I cannot do it on my own. I need you and trust in the gift of your grace to empower me.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Old Law: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is giving the new Torah (Teaching) of the Messiah. So far, he has brought four laws from the Torah of Moses to their fulfillment and perfection. Today, we hear about a fifth law, and tomorrow we will hear about a sixth law. The old Torah forbade murder; the new Torah demands reconciliation. The old Torah forbade adultery, the new Torah demands chastity in thought and action. The old Torah permitted divorce; the new Torah demands life-long fidelity in marriage. The old Torah forbade swearing false oaths; the new Torah demands truthfulness in all speech. The old Torah limited retaliation and excessive retribution; the new Torah demands mercy and generosity. The old Torah set up social and cultural barriers as protection; the new Torah demands love of the other and our enemies.

2. Law of the Talion: The “Law of the Talion” or “Law of Retaliation” is found several times in the Torah. In Exodus 21:23-25, we read: “But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” In Leviticus 24:20, we read: “fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.” And Deuteronomy 19:21, Moses commands: “Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” The Law of the Talion or Retaliation demands justice and sets a limit to any and all retaliation. This was the original intention of the law in Exodus. “The law of retaliation requires that a punishment fit the crime in strict proportion. It is not an invitation to exact personal revenge; rather, it imposes a limitation on vengeance to ensure that retribution does not exceed the initial injury in severity” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 152-153).

3. Justice is Founded on Mercy: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does not do away with justice, but he does temper the principle of strict equivalence with a call for mercy. As St. Thomas Aquinas argues, “The work of divine justice always presupposes the work of mercy and is founded on it” (Summa theologiae, I, q. 21, a. 4). Mercy can bring sin to a halt not because it condones or is indifferent to sin but because it leads to forgiveness and reconciliation. Instead of trying to build mercy upon justice, we need to build justice upon merciful love. In more practical terms, this means that instead of trying first to be just and occasionally dispensing mercy to those we think deserve it or a second chance, we need to have hearts full of merciful love that seek justice and righteousness. Instead of debating whether or not to forgive the brother or sister who has offended me, I need to be ready always to forgive, hoping that this will move and soften their heart and be a step towards reconciliation and true justice. “Instead of retaliation, [Jesus] advocates a readiness to forgive others for their offenses (Matthew 5:38-42). One should note, however, that Jesus’ teaching on this point establishes a norm for personal conduct: he does not dispense with the need for societies to maintain standards of proportionate justice for the public good” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 153).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the just one sent by the Father to justify us and restore us to righteousness. You are the merciful one sent by the Father to forgive our sins and be a model of merciful love for us to imitate. Fill my heart with your righteousness and pour out your mercy upon me today.

Living the Word of God: How can I have a mercy-first attitude in my daily life that seeks true justice and reconciliation? Do I have a justice-first mentality that needs tempering? How can I be more merciful and just with my spouse, my children, and my coworkers?