VII Sunday- Readings: Leviticus 19: 1-2, 17-18 / 1 Corinthians 3: 16-23 / Matthew 5: 38-48

VII Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Readings:  Leviticus 19: 1-2, 17-18 / 1 Corinthians 3: 16-23 / Matthew 5: 38-48

Fr. Charles Johnson, OP

       At the podium stood noted Catholic writer, George Weigel and at the panel table sat James Douglass, a well-known Catholic peace activist and author.  Weigel spoke engagingly on the “Just War” teaching, citing the insights of Saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.  For his response, Douglass simply stood up and said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ….”

The words of Jesus that he quoted are as simple as they are difficult to fully accept and practice.  That conference, that moment was no different. 

       In a pluralistic society such as ours, many people ask, “What is so unique about Jesus?”  Well, noted New Testament scholar Fr. Donald Senior gives an insight:  “If any saying of the gospel can claim to be an unaltered saying of Jesus, it is his statement on love of enemies….. There is no parallel in any ancient text to Jesus’ radical command to love the enemy.” 

        Unique and original, just like Jesus Christ.  In Christ and through him, we are called to be brothers and sisters.  Perhaps Jesus hopes that the term, enemies, will cease to be a part of our vocabulary. 

        What is it about the enemy?  Who is our enemy, who are yours, mine?  It has a lot to do with how we view others, both familiar people and strangers.  Jesus makes it clear that he is not only referring to far-away enemies, but especially those who are close by.   I can’t help but wonder if we are often guilty of creating enemies or allowing people to become enemies for us. Recent headlines tell about how gunshots were one man’s way of silencing music that was too loud.  The music stopped, but a life was cut down.    How far is too far?  Enemies …..when and where does it end?  Perhaps it is better to ask, enemies, when and where does it begin? 

         Fr. Henri Nouwen writes that “loneliness is one of the most universal causes of human suffering today.”  He observed that while most of the advertisements and media often show a “joyful togetherness of spontaneous people,” many people live in fear of others or are burdened by mistrust and suspicion. The fear and conflict born of loneliness profoundly impacts relationships between strangers and even loved ones. Fr. Nouwen continues:  “We become increasingly aware that we are living in a world where even the most intimate relationships have become part of competition and rivalry.” 

         It doesn’t take much effort to realize that even intimate relationships can be between “enemies.”  When love and respect depart from a relationship, enemy status will quietly creep in.  Why? Enemies are never God’s will, but the work of sin and sometimes we play a part.  Not all people will be our friends, but everyone has a claim to our charity and respect. 

     Pope Francis writes, “Faith teaches us to see that every man and woman represents a blessing for me, that the light of God’s face shines on me through the faces of my brothers and sisters.”

      In a society like ours that has become increasingly cold, harsh and violent, following the pope’s teaching might be rather unusual, even radical.  Seeing every man and woman as a blessing to us will put you and I in conflict with prevailing attitudes, but in union with Christ.  Christ is unique, but he hopes that his teaching will become common knowledge, so that his mercy is common practice.