Jesus would sometimes use hyperbole for emphasis. No one really should pluck out their eye if it causes them to sin. Was he doing that in the Sermon on the Mount when he says: “offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” How are we to understand that in an age of mass killings and gun violence? Or again, when Jesus says “Give to the one who asks of you” are we supposed to shell out to every panhandler we run into? Experience teaches us that sometimes it is a false kindness to give to someone who will only use the gift in harmful ways. Ultimately we have to discern — what is the most loving thing I can do in this circumstance to help the person in front of me?
JUNE132016
By Church Staff
