We do not conquer evil with evil Homily for Monday of the 11th week in ordinary time JUNE 2023

Homily for Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time. 

2 Corinthians 6:1-10. Psalm 98:1,2-3ab,3cd-4. Matthew 5:38-42.

In a world where success is based on what we have acquired in terms of our material acquisition and huge sum of money in our bank account, which is even the case with men and women of God, St.Paul, in the first reading lists his experiences of endurance in times of suffering, hardship, humiliation and persecution, on account of preaching the Gospel as his curriculum vitae as a servant of God.

How many of us today, especially those of us who dedicate our lives to preaching the Gospel, can confidently present our trials and tribulations as evidence of our service to God? Let us learn from the life of St. Paul. It is not all that glitter that is gold. We must learn the virtue of endurance because endurance is the root of all goods, the mother of piety, the fruit that never withers, a fortress that is never taken, a harbour that knows no storms.

In today's Gospel, Jesus is telling us not to oppose evil with evil but a new way of resisting evil without harming the perpetrators of evil.

This is a teaching that is extremely difficult to practice, particularly in these times of gruesome killing and persecution of Christians. Yet, the teaching of Christ concerning nonviolence still holds true. We do not conquer evil with evil. Evil must be conquered with good. Overcoming evil with evil will make the fight unending, and more harm is done. An eye for an eye has left the world blind, and a tooth for tooth has left the world toothless, according to Mahatma Gandhi.

May God grant us the grace to overcome evil with good and make our world a better place through Christ our Lord. Amen.