Spiritual Support for Action

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present behaviour of the believer which is contrary to common practice. The radical challenge of the Word is expressed in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus instruction concerning retaliation for wrong doing. The action of ‘turning the other cheek” is normally beyond human response. The grace of God which raises thanksgiving, forgiveness and compassion in people through the resonance of the indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God creates the possibility for this action. What about justice? The ancient believers were able to trust that justice would be in the domain of the Divine. The psalmist proclaims that victory and vindication are contained in the eternal steadfast love and faithfulness of God to His people. People often have strong drives for justice. The peace of communion with the Divine allows this zeal to be entrusted to God. Paul who demonstrates his zeal for the evangelization of the nations by a listing to the Corinthians of the trials, tribulations and predictions of his own demise through which by the power of the Spirit working in his person he is able to be and live the contradiction of expectation today.