Sometimes we justify violence as if it were the ideal punishment to fit the crime that someone has committed. We might even consider it to be an appropriate type of defense for ourselves or our families.

“He deserved it, because of the way he behaves toward other…”  “Besides, he or she is not my relative, nor part of my circle of friends…”   “Of course I had a right to get even!...”  “Didn’t you see what he did to me.” “I swear, she is going to pay for this…” These and similar phrases are part of our vocabulary when violence touches us or our relatives and friends.

What does God say about these acts and thoughts? The Bible says that we should turn the other cheek and furthermore the Scriptures says that Jesus told his Father, Our Father, “If it is your will that I drink from this cup, then your will be done, and not mine.” Let’s remember that one of the commandments Jesus left was to “Love your neighbor as yourself” and on several occasions, we are told that Jesus abides in each one of our brothers and sisters, that is, in each of our neighbors.

What happens if we wished upon others what we don’t want to happen to us? Would we be willing to wish evil upon a relative; are we willing to accept something bad toward someone in our family or ourselves?

God invites us to forgive and refrain from criticizing. Jesus forgave the adulterous woman when they approached him. He asked, “What is the problem?” She said she was being accused of committing sin, and he says, "He who is free of sins, throw the first rock.” Everyone left, and Jesus tells the woman, “Where are those who accused you? I don’t condemn you either. Go and sin no more.”

I hope we will be able to forgive even the stranger among us because according to Jesus even the smallest one is part of the Kingdom of God and our neighbor and brother or sister in God. Therefore, everyone is part of Our Family.

“Remember, don’t do onto others what you don’t want done to you.”.
God bless you and fill you with the Holy Spirit. Amen.