A Poem a Sunday

Epiphany 7 A

February 19, 2017

Matt. 5:38-48 - NRSV

Concerning Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Footnotes:
Matthew 5:47 Gk your brothers

A Poem a Sunday

Epiphany 7 A

“Love Your Enemies”

Not in our creeds,

never confessed,

avoided by preachers.

He really did not mean it.

Don’t take it literally.

Church signs don’t heed it.

It is only for Him to create.

Followers have leeway

not to heed the mandate.

Dogma dominates:

‘Just War Theory.’

We never hesitate

to justify hate.

Not for us,

but for King and Gandhi.

We get by

with a long breathy sigh.

‘Eye for eye,

Tooth for tooth.’

Trump pushes back

from any truth.

We, too, prefer

the perfect come back.

Rather than care

we will attack.

Creeds dominate deeds

indeed we seldom share:

‘Love your enemies!’

now only if you dare.

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