Gospel in Art: An eye for eye and tooth for tooth

Gassed by John Singer Sargent 1919 © Imperial War Museum, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 June 2022
Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: 'You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.'

Reflection on the painting

Jesus changed things! He actively brought forgiveness at the heart of the Christian life. In our Gospel reading today we read how Jesus teaches his disciples not to retaliate by returning evil for evil but to respond to evil with goodness. He wants them to move away from an ''eye for eye and tooth for tooth' mentality. The most virtuous instinct of human nature is to overcome evil with good. It is easier said than done, but it certainly isn't impossible.

We are all conscious of great evil in the world. We only have to switch on the radio and or the television, to learn of countless examples of terrible evil. The war in Ukraine is probably at the forefront of our minds these days as far as news is concerned. But as Nobel prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said: 'the battle-line between good and evil runs through the heart of every person'. We struggle with good and evil in our own hearts, and so we are tempted to return evil for evil. We need God's strength, though, to respond to evil using goodness and kindness.

Our painting from 1919 by John Singer Sargent is titled Gassed. It shows the horrors of war after a mustard gas attack. Such poisonous attacks were already taking place in World War I and the artist witnessed such an attack up close. We see ten men walking in single file, holding onto one another for assistance. Another group of ten can be seen in the distance. They all have been blinded, temporarily or possibly permanently, by a gas attack. Other victims, too poorly to walk, are lying scattered around the fields.

Today our hearts go out to all the victims of the war in Ukraine. Lord, we implore you to put a halt to the violence.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-38-42-2022/