LITMUS TEST FOR CHRISTIANS: 7th Sunday OT A

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Brothers and sisters, we can all recount experiences when we have been attacked before, whether it be verbally, physically or emotionally. And what do we generally do in such circumstances? We fight back. Revenge or retaliation is the automatic human response to violence. This basic principle of retribution is pervasive in our society. 90% of our action films are based on some variation of it. Someone is attacked by another and finds a way to strike back, often with excessive violence. This human natural justice of an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, which is the wisdom of this world implies that what you give is what you get in return.

In today's Gospel, Jesus turns this principle on its head. He offers an alternative response as the litmus test for being His disciple. Instead of violence, His followers are supposed to act differently to the standard set by society. Christians are meant to respond to violence with non-violence. We are to offer no resistance to the one who does evil, that we are to turn the other cheek. 

The 1st reading goes even further as to warn us against bearing hatred or grudges but to love our neighbour as ourselves.

In the second reading, St. Paul insists that we are God’s temple and his Holy Spirit lives amongst us. He also discloses that God would destroy anyone who destroys his temple because we are sacred. He warns against using the wisdom of this world because it is foolishness to God. 

Brothers and sisters let us pray that we will respond to God's call to be holy by loving those who hate us and standing up for our faith even as we pray for those who persecute us. Amen

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