Memorial
of Saint Anthony, priest
(I Kings
21:1-16; Matthew 5:38-42)
It is said
that St. Anthony was portrayed in early images as holding the Scriptures in one
arm. This makes sense since Anthony was
one of the greatest preachers in Europe.
In time the Scriptures were replaced by an image of the child
Jesus. This also has its logic since
Jesus is the Word of God. Today’s gospel
passage requires the assistance of a great interpreter of Scripture, which is
the role of a preacher.
On a
preliminary reading the passage seems to forbid all forms of defense. Jesus tells his disciples to “offer no resistance
to one who does evil.” Does he mean that
a nation cannot defend itself against an aggressor like Ukraine against Russia
today? Jesus has in mind personal aggression. He is saying not to allow a loss of face move
you to humiliate the aggressor in return.
He probably does not have in mind letting another kill you. Nor, it seems, does he mean that an army
should not protect its nation from unjust intrusion.
We Christians
are to live a different morality than the world’s. That morality will move us to act in ways
that seem heroic and perhaps at times foolish to others. Yet, it seems, that Jesus is not asking us to
allow others to hurt us at will.
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