Daily Word Of God
Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if someone wishes to go to law with you to get your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone requires you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel Jesus shows His mastery of God’s law and gives us a new standard, not just based on righteousness but on the law of grace and love.
- By replacing the Mosaic Law with one of mercy, grace and loving-kindness Jesus instructs us explicitly that there is no room at all for retaliation i.e. we must not only avoid evil but also must seek to do good even to those who hate us.
- It is not easy to love those who hate us but through prayer and God’s graces, we will have the courage and wisdom to return evil with good, thereby sanctifying the world.