In Sunday's gospel (Luke 6:27-38) Jesus offers his teaching and
practice of human relations, advocating love of enemies and avoiding
retaliation against those who harm us. Though this might seem to be
saintly virtue, it is also good advice in the realm of human
relationships, especially in contentious social and political contexts
such as those many experience today.
Social scientists see the types of power we use in human
relationships as corresponding to they type of involvement we can expect
from others. If you try to coerce someone, you can expect that person
to be alienated. If you base your relationships on reciprocity, you can
expect that person to be always calculating on the basis of quid pro
quo, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, a favor or advantage
granted or expected in return for something: "you scratch my back and
I'll scratch yours."
In today's Gospel (Lk 6:27-38) Jesus invites us to be more virtuous
(and effective!) in our most important relationships, emptying
ourselves into our dealings with others, beyond retaliation or an eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
What kind of power do I try to use in my relationships at home, at
work, in my ministries and even in the public forum? Is it a coercive
top-down type of authoritarian force, or do I invite full participation
in important choices? Do I approach relationships with others on the
basis of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" or do I try to
stretch beyond coercion and retaliation to the fullness of the
self-emptying love Jesus exemplifies for us all?
-Fr. Ted Arroyo, S.J.
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