Power defeated by Love

The episode related today from the First Book of Kings in the Roman Catholic Lectionary is to remind us that our relationships with our brothers and sisters are proper concerns for the people of God. Friar Jude Winkler points out that in the time of Naboth, King Ahab and Jezebel, the land was not owned by people. The land belonged to God and people were given land to work for their families. Naboth refuses the demand of the King to sell his land and Jezebel, the power behind the throne of Ahab, contrives false charges against Naboth. He is falsely accused, convicted and stoned to death. This conviction meant the King could legally possess his land. The motives of those imprisoned by the exercise of power may not be clear to us. Those trapped in the schemes of others may not be as they are presented in public. Are the officials denounced by government all "traitors" or is a power agenda at play? What is our response? The Gospel from Matthew give us a challenge. Friar Jude comments that the ancient prescription of an "eye for eye" was actually a compassionate recompense which was an improvement over the destruction of your family and village as retribution. In the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus directs us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile. The motive behind both of these actions is Love. It recognizes that love is the response which moves toward healing. It is certainly the best response when there is some doubt, like the case of Naboth, about the veracity of the claims against the one who is persecuted. Today, the exercise of evil power and the even the lack of quality in the social systems which try to deliver justice should make us even more thankful for Jesus direction towards unconditional love. Friar Jude notes that the Roman occupiers could impress people to go with them to do tasks. The usual length over which one was so compelled was a mile. Jesus tells us to go for two miles. We have so many opportunities to live this as we are tasked and impressed in our daily work life. The direction which shows Love is the best choice.