In the Louvre Museum in Paris there stands a seven-foot-long
stone on which is inscribed the Code of Hammurabi – who ruled ancient Babylon
over 3500 years ago. It is among the oldest written laws in the world. It gives great insight into the laws of the time.
It also contains the great Law of Talion – Lex Talionis – an eye for an eye, a
tooth for a tooth. It may seem to be a very cruel law, but historically it was
a great move forward. It limited vengeance.
Because of this, the Torah of Moses embraced the Law of Talion. And yet,
someone like Gandhi would say – if all of us were to practice the “eye for eye”
the whole world would be blind and toothless.
Some might say that there are basically two responses to
oppression or injustice: Fight or flight.
Fight – we oppose evil on its own terms. They want to fight
you – you fight them. The answer is violence – and it can only get worse.
Flight – run away. Do nothing.
Jesus proposes a third way
-
Turn the other cheek – see, I will not lower
myself to your level.
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Take your cloak, give your shirt
-
Roman soldier could force you to carry his
things 1 mile – like Simon of Cyrene – no, go 2 miles. (Now he will get in
trouble!)
Lincoln once let a southern
prisoner go – received a letter criticizing him – you should destroy the enemy.
Lincoln wrote back – If I make him a friend, don’t I destroy an enemy?!
Example: Day after the Inauguration
– Woman’s March in Washington. Not all women, of course. Woman part of Respect
Life Groups were told they were not welcome.
Anyway, it turned out that there were many women and not enough rest
rooms. Some Dominican Friars noticed and
kindly let a few in to use their rest rooms. Before they knew it, hundreds of
people lined up.
Now, this became a source of great
anxiety for the Dominicans. First, a large crowd had descended. But also, many
had disagreeable signs, shirts and hats. Some messages were anti-Catholic,
pro-abortion, vulgar and even pornographic. Realizing where they were – the
people had the courtesy to cover them up.
The Dominicans spent time in conversation with the women and realized
that they had many reasons for being at the March. Some were very anti Catholic
and Anti Life, but others believed in the dignity of women, or laborers, of the
poor and the importance of the environment. They wanted their daughters to grow
up in a world that would not mistreat them.
Amazingly, some marchers started to
take up a collection for the Friars. Some were fascinated by the Dominican
Habit with their Rosaries (you know the chant) and why they would give their
lives to God. This very strange and
uncomfortable experience reminded the Friars of today’s teaching – to love you
enemies – to will the good of all! How
to be rid of an enemy – make them your friend.
Remember: if all of us were to practice the “eye for eye” the whole
world would be blind and toothless.
