How God Wants You to Respond to Difficulties – Jun 16 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jun 16, 2025, where he encourages Christians to respond to evil with supernatural grace and mercy, reflecting Christ's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.

Father reflects on Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically addressing the lex talionis, the Old Testament law of retaliation found in Deuteronomy 19:21, Leviticus 24:20, and Exodus 21:24, which limits punishment to match the crime. He explains that Jesus challenges this in Matthew 5:38-39, urging disciples to "offer no resistance to one who is evil" and respond with supernatural grace. Father cites St. Augustine, noting the law’s role in curbing violence, but emphasizes Jesus’ call for self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Father Simeon’s commentary highlights the courage needed to avoid mirroring evil, which locks animosity in a "hopeless impasse," frustrating God’s work of restoring harmony (John 1:17). Jesus’ examples—turning the other cheek, giving both tunic and cloak, or going an extra mile (Matthew 5:40-41)—illustrate generosity that reflects God’s mercy (Luke 6:35-36). Father notes that such acts, like Simeon carrying the cross (Matthew 27:32), can shock and convert others. By choosing humble non-resistance, Christians build God’s kingdom, aligning with the Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 2840, which calls for forgiveness to mirror divine mercy.

For Further Reading:

Matthew 5:38-39 - NAB - Eye for eye, non-resistance teaching - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?38
Deuteronomy 19:21 - NAB - Law of retaliation explained - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/19?21
Leviticus 24:20 - NAB - Reciprocal justice in scripture - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/leviticus/24?20
Exodus 21:24 - NAB - Old Testament justice principles - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/21?24
Galatians 5:23 - NAB - Fruits of the Holy Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5?23
John 1:17 - NAB - Grace through Jesus Christ - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?17
Luke 6:35-36 - NAB - Love enemies, show mercy - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?35
Matthew 27:32 - NAB - Simeon carries Jesus’ cross - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/27?32
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2840 - Forgiveness reflects divine mercy - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a3.htm#2839
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2262 - Love toward enemies - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#2262

00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - Lex Talionis Explained
00:37 - Old Testament Citations
01:36 - Jesus’ Non-Resistance Teaching
02:49 - Supernatural Self-Control
04:16 - Grace and Mercy
04:48 - Gospel Examples
07:49 - Converting Through Compassion

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 11th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061625.cfm
1st: 2co 6:1-10
Resp: psa 98:1-4
Gsp: mat 5:38-42

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1419

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/byO-6i6q_is