Wednesday of 14th Week in
Ordinary Time
July 8, 2015 8:30am
Sometimes we wonder how to treat
someone who has offended us.
Jesus calls for mercy and turning
the other cheek.
He does not want us to return
evil for evil.
He even asks us to love our
enemies.
But sometimes we feel that we
have to punish a person.
Sometimes we judge that
punishment is needed for correction.
Sometimes we feel that we have to
protect ourselves or even society.
In all of this, we just need to
keep our motives clear.
Quite simply, we need to keep our
desire for vengeance in check.
That will be a helpful guide to
our behavior.
Right after the Civil War, 150
years ago, President Abrham Lincoln had difficult decisions to make with
soldiers and generals and other leaders of the Confederacy.
In one instance, Lincoln gave
this advice to one of his Union generals.
“I have examined personally all
the papers in the Lyons case, and I cannot see that it is a matter for
executive interference.
So, I turn it over to you with full confidence that you will do what is
just and right;
only begging you, my dear General, to do nothing in reprisal for the
past – only what is necessary to ensure security for the future;
and remind you that we are not fighting against a foreign foe, but our
brothers, and that our aim is not to break their spirits but only to bring back
their old allegiance.
Conquer by kindness – let that be our policy.”
Today’s first reading is the
famous Old Testament story of Joseph.
He decides not to take vengeance
on his brothers for the harsh and unjust way they have treated him.
Instead, he treats them well and
the relationship gets restored.
His action and the more recent
words of Lincoln are a good reflection for us when we are confronted with a
personal offense and feel tempted to take vengeance.
