Gospel in Art: Offer the wicked man no resistance

Gassed, by John Singer Sargent, (1856-1925) 1919 © Imperial War Museum, London / Wikimedia

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 17 June 2024
Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: 'You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.'

Reflection on the painting

Jesus revolutionised the core of Christian life by placing forgiveness at its very centre. In today's Gospel reading, we see him teaching his disciples a transformative lesson: instead of retaliating or returning evil for evil, they should respond to malice with goodness. He urged them to abandon the old mindset of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Jesus highlighted that the highest virtue in human nature is to overcome evil with good. Moreover, He challenged them to exceed expectations, saying, "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles." This teaching invites us all to embrace profound levels of generosity.

We are all keenly aware of the great evils that plague our world. A quick glance at the news on the radio or television reveals numerous instances of profound wrongdoing. Currently, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza prominently occupy our thoughts concerning global events. However, as Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn famously observed, "the battle-line between good and evil runs through the heart of every person." This internal struggle with good and evil tempts us to retaliate in kind. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that we most need God's strength to counteract evil with goodness and kindness, transcending the impulse for retribution.

Our painting from 1919 by John Singer Sargent is titled Gassed. It shows the horrors of war after a mustard gas attack. Such poisonous attacks were already taking place in World War I and the artist witnessed such an attack up close. We see ten men walking in single file, holding onto one another for assistance. Another group of ten can be seen in the distance. They all have been blinded, temporarily or possibly permanently, by a gas attack. Other victims, too poorly to walk, are lying scattered around the fields. This gas attack likely occurred as retaliation for a previous incident, which itself may have been a response to yet another earlier attack, and so on. Indeed, adhering to an "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" mentality does little to advance peace in the world. It perpetuates a cycle of violence that hinders any progress toward lasting reconciliation.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-38-42-2024/