We continue to hear Jesus teachings from the fifth chapter of the gospel of Matthew. We have been dwelling on these words for three weeks now. So Rabbi Jesus teaches us how to live a holy life as God’s people. If you are like me, the idea of being or becoming holy sounds a bit-farfetched, awkward, and unlikely. Holiness is for Catholic nuns or priests or something. Or the holy-rollers, the holier than thou religious sort, who judge others by their self-righteousness. I don’t want to be like them. But I do want to become like Jesus, to live according to God’s will When Jesus says be perfect, he does not mean be perfect. It is not moral perfectionism, but rather an acknowledgment that God sets some people apart as an example for others. Not that some of us are better than the rest, but that God has given some people an identity with a mission or calling—to imitate Jesus. We continue, then, to ask the question, What does it mean for a blessed person to bless others?
Jesus says: Do not resist an evildoer. Turn the other cheek. Give your cloak. Go the second mile. Give to everyone who begs of you. Do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. This sounds like we invite people to take advantage of us. It sounds like becoming willing victims to abuse, violence, and highway robbery. It sounds like letting bad people walk all over you. It sounds like a series of bad advice.
In honor of President's day, I have a couple of Lincoln and Washington tales to tell.
