Epiphany
February 18, 2017
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:38-48
‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. –Matthew 5:38-42
There is a horrible news report coming from incidents in a city near my hometown where a teaching assistant stands accused of sexually molesting young children and officials did not report him. Not reporting such an incident is against the law in Oklahoma.
My brother and I discussed the issue and both related stories of knowledge of thief, his in the workplace mind at a church. In both instances the persons caught stealing were, in his case, reprimanded and required to return the stolen items with more serious responses to follow if it was ever done again. In my case the individual involved received counseling about the church always being there for them if they were in need but could not sanction them taking things without asking. Neither case was reported to outside legal authorities and there is no law on the book that says such incidents must be reported. In neither case was any long-term harm done. The sexual abuse of a child causes lifelong ramifications.
The question must be considered, what is our responsibility in restoring a person to wholeness who comments an offense? Jesus moves from a broad brushed Hebrew law, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” to how we respond to personal attacks. Apparently, some were using the eye for an eye rule to the detriment of bringing someone to wholeness.
The Civil Rights Movement lead by Martin Luther King Jr. followed Jesus’ teaching. It routinely turned the other cheek while marching for basic human rights into the face of beatings, high pressure water hoses, and even murder. It is a legacy of Christ. While much was accomplished in that early work the movement continues today as we love our way to wholeness in a fragmented world.
Prayer: Lord, guide us in walking the fine line of restorative justice. Help us be protectors of the innocent as we are advocates of those involved in crime who need to find their way to wholeness. Amen.