A WORD FOR TODAY 15 JUNE 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

PAY BACK EVIL WITH GOOD

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:38-39)

Evil exist and good exist, however, what controls your heart will depend on which of them you allow to rule over you. No one is created to be evil, but we can become evil out of choice and when we let evil desires take root in us.

Evil manifests itself in different forms in our day to day interactions with people. Sometimes it comes in the form of jealousy, hatred, wickedness, betrayal, manipulation, fraud, envy, detraction and so on. Whichever form it shows itself, the the truth is that evil is evil and it is never good and cannot add anything good to our life.

In the first reading of today we see a practical example of the manifestation of evil. Ahab was jealous of Naboth's vineyard and wanted to posses it by all means. However, when he could not get it legitimately, he consented to the evil deed of his wife Jezebel who orchestrated a plan that brought about the killing of Naboth. This kind of wickedness happened in the past and it is still happening today in our own generation. Yes, Ahab succeeded in taking possession of Naboth's vineyard, but in the end he had no peace. There is no peace for the wicked and we should learn from that so as not to pass through the same situation.

As Chriatians, what we do when we experience evil in the hands of people really matters a lot. Jesus tells us in the gospel reading not to follow the old law (Lex Talionis), which recommends an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, this is simply 'tit for tat'. He tells us not to pay back evil with evil, but to pay back evil with good. We must not seek revenge when we experience wickedness in the hands of people, instead we should follow the example of Jesus by forgiving them and leaving everything in the hands of God, for vengeance belongs to God. Infact, to do good to the person who have treated you badly is the best form of revenge.

We must not strive to pay back evil with evil, but as children of God we should be good to those who treat us wickedly and let our goodness be the revenge they get and that will be the best thing to do so as to be like Jesus whom we are following. When people act wickedly against you, you must not retaliate, instead you should treat them well and you will be like Our Father who is in heaven.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a blessed New Week. May Jesus give you the grace to remain calm and pay back evil with good whenever you experience it in the hands of people. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: 1 Kings 21:1-16/Psalm 5:2-7/Matthew 5:38-42

Watch-Word:* O Lord, give heed to my sighs!

To refuse to pay back evil with evil is to be like Jesus who forgave those who crucified him on the cross. Vengeance belongs to God, therefore let go of that thirst and desire in your heart to act wickedly against others.

(Monday of the 11th week in the Ordinary Time. Year II)