You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.—Matthew 5:21-24
The news and the media outlets today bring light to many things that happen in the world. The two I wish to reflect upon today as my Angelus reflection today are the stories regarding Trayvon Martin and Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. These two were at the forefront of my mind because each of these men represents a miscarriage of justice. Trayvon Martin was killed by a security guard. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales stands accused of murdering 16 Afghanis. The media coverage has created an outrage in each of these situations. I firmly resolve to pray for all those who are hurt and angry as a result of the injustices faced in these two situations. Speculation in the media is driving the idea that Trayvon lost his life as a result of racial hatred. I know neither the facts of the case nor the mind of the man who took his life. However the Lord tells us, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted (Mt 5:4).” We should take our comfort in the Lord because he knows our need and in his mercy, he hears and answers our prayers. This is not to say that we should not be outraged by this incident because anger in the face of evil is not only normal but it is just. However, we cannot allow anger to beget evil or more violence. The Lord guides us more, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Mt 5:7).” The challenge to us today is to seek justice and mercy for those who have been wronged by sin. The same goes with Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. This man is accused of the murder of 16 people in Afghanistan. One headline posted states, “How Staff Sgt. Bales’ lawyers are fighting for his life (Leitsinger, 2012) .” The commentary on this article is divided viciously over whether he should be found guilty or not. As has become the custom in this reflection, we return to the Gospel of the Lord according to St Matthew:
Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.—Matthew 7:1-5
The hurt and the pain inflicted in both of these heinous crimes are not negligible. However, we are called to respond and call for justice for the victims AND the accused. “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions (Mt 6:17-18).” It is very difficult to get past our own outrage and the flood of emotions caused in both of these incidents create a hunger for justice and the Lord will not disappoint for he promised us, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied…Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God (Mt 5:6, 9).” Our challenge is to rise to the occasion and live as Christ commands. We desire justice. We desire peace. And we are called…
Let us pray....
Lord, you bring peace to the madness of the world. We are desperate for your love and hope in this time of sorrow and despair. Lift us from our own troubles and give light to our path. We pray for those who suffer violence and hate. Give us hearts for love and justice. Make us not live in anger but give rise to a new hope founded in you during this Lenten season as we look forward to the celebration of the resurrection of your Son this coming Easter. We hope and we pray and we ask this humbly through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Amen.
Leitsinger, M. (2012, March 22). U.S. News - How Staff Sgt. Bales' lawyers are fighting for his life. Retrieved from msnbc.msn.com: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/22/10797887-how-staff-sgt-bales-lawyers-are-fighting-for-his-life
