Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Just as evil begets evil, good begets good. The Old Testament principle, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” recognized that evil multiplies and escalates if the response to an evil act is not limited to an equal evil act.
Jesus came not to limit evil but to overcome it. The only way to overcome evil is by replacing it with good. And good, like evil, will tend to multiply and escalate. Jesus is just imitating his Father in this, for God lets the rain fall on the wicked as well as the good and allows the wicked person to flourish. Why? Because God is more interested in drawing sinners back to him rather than punishing them.
Just the same, this is a hard ideal to live by. Our instinct is to lash out when we are hurt and to make sure that evildoers get what they deserve. But according to Jesus, mercy is more powerful than getting even. Returning good for evil brings God into the situation and allows God to heal our own injury and fill the wicked person’s heart with the grace of conversion.
Reflection by Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections