Leviticus 19:18
No Revenge
You have heard an insult, like the wind. You are angry, like a wave. When the wind blows, and the wave swells, the ship is then endangered, the heart is in jeopardy, and the heart is tossed back and forth. When you were insulted, you longed for revenge. But if you have been avenged and so rejoice in the person’s pain, you have suffered shipwreck. Why is this? Because Christ is asleep in you. What does it mean that Christ is asleep in you? That you have forgotten Christ. Rouse Him then. Call Christ to mind and let Him wake up in you. Pay attention to Him. What do you want? Revenge. Have you forgotten that, when He was being crucified, Christ said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?” The one who was sleeping in your heart didn’t want revenge. Wake Him up then. Remember Him. Remember Him through His word, for He commands us to remember Him. Then if Christ wakes up in you, you will say, “What kind of person am I who wants revenge? Who am I to threaten other people? I might die before I am avenged, therefore I will restrain my anger and return to a calm heart.” For when Christ commanded the sea, peace was restored.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
No Revenge
You have heard an insult, like the wind. You are angry, like a wave. When the wind blows, and the wave swells, the ship is then endangered, the heart is in jeopardy, and the heart is tossed back and forth. When you were insulted, you longed for revenge. But if you have been avenged and so rejoice in the person’s pain, you have suffered shipwreck. Why is this? Because Christ is asleep in you. What does it mean that Christ is asleep in you? That you have forgotten Christ. Rouse Him then. Call Christ to mind and let Him wake up in you. Pay attention to Him. What do you want? Revenge. Have you forgotten that, when He was being crucified, Christ said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?” The one who was sleeping in your heart didn’t want revenge. Wake Him up then. Remember Him. Remember Him through His word, for He commands us to remember Him. Then if Christ wakes up in you, you will say, “What kind of person am I who wants revenge? Who am I to threaten other people? I might die before I am avenged, therefore I will restrain my anger and return to a calm heart.” For when Christ commanded the sea, peace was restored.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
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