Non-Violence

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time; Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said, “To you who hear me, I say: love your enemies.

I was too young to actively participate in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s and 70’s. However, I remember watching the news on TV with my mother and seeing the images of the Freedom Riders, Selma, The March on Washing DC, and others. When the news showed images of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Detroit, I wondered, “Why aren’t we there?” I remember my mom crying when Dr. King was assassinated.

As an adult, I have had the opportunity to make my voice heard in a couple of marches, but they never have been, nor will they be, on the magnitude of the civil rights marches. (At least, I don’t think they will be. We’ll see.) Each time we marched, I vividly recalled the principle of non-violence that King and so many others witnessed to us all. While no one came out to oppose the marches I was in, I was mentally prepared (I think) to react in a non-violent manner. I suppose I really don’t know how I’ll react until I am truly confronted, face-to-face, with violence.

I today’s readings, I am reminded that the non-violence presented in the civil rights movement as based on a prior teaching. Jesus was the originator of the non-violence movement. “Love your enemies.” Woof. There it is, in plain black and white. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we hear the story of David passing on the chance to exact revenge on Saul. Given the chance to lash out and “defend myself”, God is clearly telling me to take a breath and act with love.

Unfortunately, this is not basic human nature, is it? Everyone wants to “stand up for myself” whenever confronted with insults and anger. I admit it is my first reaction. It takes practice and determination to act with non-violence. Police officers receive intense training on how not to react to slurs and insults. Even the civil rights marchers had training on how to react peacefully. Acting with non-violence is not sentimental thoughts, but a demanding way of life that requires faith and persistence.

As I look at the world around me full of mistruths, bold faced lies, injustice to the marginalized, and blatant racism, I see a time when people of faith will be called upon to stand up, once more, and speak truth to power. As I read the Gospels, I see this is what Jesus did through-out his lifetime. Jesus goes even further, urging us not only to refrain from retaliation but to respond to evil with a love that disarms and transforms. This is not mere submission but a powerful, creative force that pursues justice without mirroring the violence we reject.

I must begin to prepare myself now for this inevitable day. And the only way I know how to do that is to pray. I must read the Gospels and have the teachings of Jesus firmly in my heart. I have to use the small, and seemingly insignificant times when I will be provoked with untruths, and find a way to respond with truth, first and foremost, but in a loving merciful manner. This is the way of Jesus, and therefore, it must be my way.

I pray that, if I am able to do that, perhaps someone may take notice and wonder if they can do the same. Maybe it will spark a conversation, maybe it won’t. But either way, the reign of God will grow one person at a time. One by one I want to help God bring a peaceful and kind world into being. I simply have to dedicate myself to being non-violent, peaceful, kind, and loving.

Every Day.

© 2025 by Timothy J. Doppel

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