Like the rest of the world, my wife and I have been enjoying the 2018 World Cup soccer (futbol) games from Russia – something we look forward to every four years.
The spectacle of seeing the world’s best players at the top of their game – playing for the ultimate trophy – has us glued to the games during the wee hours of the morning.
But it’s truly not just about the sport.
When we see teams from South America, Africa, Europe and Asia battle it out on the field, we pay close attention to the players.
See how they look – they look a lot like us and our neighbors.
Sure, they may speak a different language and live in a country with different rules and customs. But when you peel away all that, they’re just like us.
Made in the image of God … just like you and me.
See how they play – they compete with a passion, the way we do here in the U.S. (Arguably even more so, given that the USA didn’t qualify for the Cup this year).
See how they react when a matter of justice is raised. A player is tripped, but no foul is called, prompting him and his coach to cry out – they raise their arms and their faces are marked with disbelief.
How can you NOT penalize “that guy” for this?
Or on the other foot, when a foul is called and a card is flashed, the ultimate mark of punishment that can make or break a game’s outcome, the outcry is swift. “Who me? I didn’t touch that guy.”
The referees are caught in the middle, trying to monitor the intense play and the rough-and-tumble action that takes place across the field.
They are like mini-judges who are expected to deliver swift justice, on the spot!
I thought about this in light of today’s readings, both the first reading and the Gospel, which deal with matters of justice. They were a reminder that mankind has always had a need for referees to be there and deliver swift justice for those who are persecuted.
It doesn’t always happen, of course. Throughout history, we have witnessed extreme persecutions against individuals, against nations, cultures and religions – including Christians.
Seeing the variety of global players in the World Cup, we are reminded that all of God’s people – no matter their color or culture – are subject to the pain of persecution. They all cry out for justice.
Our first reading today tells the story of Naboth, an Old Testament character who felt the wrath of injustice from a king who coveted his vineyard. Ultimately led to his own death, Naboth most certainly cried out for justice before he died.
He was not the first – or the last – to lose his life at the hands of an unjust ruler. History is filled with such tragedies and our daily newspapers and television newscasts carry on the tradition of reporting the many ways innocent people lose their lives.
Kind of makes you angry, right?
Like, wanting revenge, right?
Tempted to hunt that soccer player down – you know, the one that tackled you when the referees were not looking – and drop the hammer on his face!
We all get those feelings. And they may be rooted in our desire to seek justice. But they can quickly rise to a new level of revenge … and that is not a good thing.
Our Gospel features a lesson from Jesus that should never be forgotten.
You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
The example used here is not just about a slap in the face. Slapping the right cheek is symbolic of someone degrading you, humiliating you, showing you that they have the right to smack you around whenever they desire.
Suffering such a slap has little to do with momentary pain, much more to do with being treated with no dignity. As if you are a lesser person … if a person at all.
Christ and His Church never fails to teach us that we all have dignity rooted in our making – our knitting in the womb – in the image of God.
We don’t gain dignity by virtue of the color of our skin.
Nor do we gain dignity because of where we live, to whom we are related or how much money we make.
Respect and dignity come from our Lord and it cannot be taken away, despite the many times people try.
Our Lord is teaching us today that while it’s important to stand up for justice, it is our Christian duty to refrain from seeking revenge.
Instead – and here’s the hard part – we must turn around and offer up the other cheek. We need to respond to persecution with deep humility, love and prayers. We need to love our enemies.
These are not easy things to do. They don’t seem to be rational human reactions. And maybe they’re not.
But then, God doesn’t challenge us to be mere humans. He wants us to rise above the gut instincts – the animal instincts – that demand an eye for an eye.
Instead, we are challenged to forgive … to forget … and to love and pray for those who persecute us.
Let God seek the justice that we cannot.
Our lack of forgiveness does nothing to harm those who persecute. They only become burdens for us to carry.
And that’s a burden we don’t need.
