7th Sunday after the Epiphany (Matthew 5:38-48)  02/20/2011

Throughout the past several days I have been following the events unfolding in Egypt with great fascination. The protests of the people who gathered in Tahrir Square were first coordinated through the social media channels of the Internet but then continued with and without the assistance of technology. Although it appears that the Egyptian government successfully shut the Internet down for a time, people who had previously never known each other continued to come together to unite behind a common cause – the hope of a new and better government that fairly represented the voice of the people and could provide all Egyptian people the promise of a better tomorrow.[i] But the region of the Middle East has a lot of history; and this new chapter of life does not come without uncertainties and the anxieties of tomorrow’s realities. The people of Egypt have questions: questions about their new government and their future. The people of the Middle East region have questions: questions about Arab/Israeli relations and the impact that the Egyptian demonstrations will have on neighboring countries. And the people of the world have questions: questions about the stability of the region and how the future will impact global relations. All of these questions are wrapped around one important center point: how will we decide to live together in community? This is an important question, no matter where you reside: How will we – we, the Egyptian people; we, the people of the Middle East; we, the people of the world; we, the people of this parish; how will we live together in community?

This morning in our Gospel lesson, Jesus takes on the challenging question of how to live together in community. We hear Jesus teaching his followers that life together must be accomplished through forgiveness and nonviolence, even in the face of those who bring evil upon others. “Jesus said, ‘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.’” (Mt 5:38-39a) Jesus’ teaching can be difficult for us to hear, especially difficult for those who have felt the bitter sting of evil and the strong emotions that remain after that evil has seemed to disappear. But there are points we should consider as we listen to Jesus’ teaching this morning. First, Matthew’s Gospel account is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Jewish faith, more so than any of the other Gospel accounts. The author of Matthew’s Gospel account places a high priority on presenting Jesus’ teachings of Jewish law in the new reality of the Christian faith. Also, we should not try to understand Jesus’ teaching this morning in a vacuum; we should thoughtfully place this lesson among the many other lessons Jesus teaches throughout the Gospel. If we consider these things, we might avoid taking offense at what we hear this morning. We will not be offended to think that Jesus asks us to placate those who bring violence and evil against us, but we will instead be challenged to seek the path that does not turn away from the challenges of living in community with others.

Jesus taught the crowd that the accepted religious norms of law and justice were being overturned. “An eye for an eye” seeks retribution and separates those who are considered good from those who are considered evil. Jesus challenges those who listen to travel a new path, a path that promotes forgiveness and love and does not seek to separate. “But I say to you, (Jesus says) love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:44-45a) Jesus’ lesson to us this morning, taken in the full context of the Good News of the Gospel, compels us to forgive those who are repentant and to love each other and to seek communion and community with others – a lesson that is central to the meaning of being the gathered Christian community.

Today we continue our journey through the season of Epiphany; the season of the celebration of the light and love of Christ in the world. This season is a time of living into the gift that was given to us at Christmas – the gift of Jesus Christ and the gift of community, the Body of Christ. Throughout this week, as I have reflected on this season of Epiphany and Christmas before it and the challenges of living in community, I was reminded of the story of the Grinch…the Grinch who tried his very best to steal Christmas. I am not sure why I like this story so much but there is something humorous in the story of the unhappy Grinch, as he is so disturbed by the joyful existence of the Whos of Whoville. The Grinch lived by himself on the nearby mountain (with his forlorn dog Max) and his life of exile from the community had distorted his understanding and acceptance of others. The Grinch was determined to steal the joy of Christmas from the Whos by removing their earthly treasures, only to discover that the real gifts are not under the tree, but are around the tree as the Whos gathered in community. The Grinch finally understood the power of love and his heart was said to grow three times as large that day and he was reconciled to the community.[ii] “Don’t be such a Grinch,” I remember my mother telling me when I was young boy and did not want to be with others or to go out and have fun with my neighborhood friends. “Don’t be a Grinch,” is Jesus’ lesson to us today. Forgive and love others, and be with others in community so that you may fully participate and enjoy the gifts of the Body of Christ, however they are packaged.

The events of the Middle East continue to unfold: we have seen many examples of peaceful demonstrations by hope-filled people gathered in community; and tragically some events with deadly violence and destructive evil retribution. The Egyptian people have largely shown the world that the power of nonviolent and steadfast people, gathered in community despite their differences, can change the future. Jesus is asking us this morning to seek each other, despite our flaws and differences, and gather as the Christian community. As the prayer of St. Chrysostom reminds us, “you, O God, have promised through your well-beloved Son that when [we] are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them.” (BCP, p. 102) Forgive each other; love each other; gather together in community…and don’t be a Grinch!

AMEN.