[stephenkhoo]

THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-RETALIATION

SCRIPTURE READINGS: 2Sm 15:13-14. 30; 16:5-13; Ps 3:2-8; Mk 5:1-20

We all face opposition in life, especially when we are in leadership. As leaders, we have just as many supporters as we have detractors who will slander us, criticize us destructively, and go against us in whatever we do in order to bring us down. Quite often, these critics and detractors come from our own rank and file. They cause division, make us lose focus and discourage us in what we set out to do. Indeed, such politicking and attempts to pull each other down cannot be avoided, whether we are in politics, in corporate life and sadly too, even in the religious world.

In the first reading, we have King David who was facing a rebellion. What was even more tragic was that his own son whom he loved so much was gathering forces to fight against him for the crown. Already, he had gone to Hebron to crown himself king. When David realized how critical the situation was, and that the rebellion was out of control, instead of staying back in Jerusalem to fight the forces of Absalom, he retreated instead.

He did not allow his ego and pride to dictate that he should stay back and fight till the end. Knowing Absalom’s intent was to take the crown by force, David chose not to stay back in Jerusalem because he knew that that could mean that he and his men would die, but more than that, the innocent inhabitants would be killed in the process and the city of Jerusalem would be in ruins. For the greater good of the city and the innocent inhabitants, he retreated instead to the forest by crossing the Jordan. Even in the face of the pain of his son’s betrayal, King David put the interests of the people and the city before his own pride and dignity. Such an act calls for humility and, most of all, selflessness in doing what is good, not for himself but for the people under his charge. He bore the shame instead of causing pain. “David then made his way up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, his head covered and his feet bare. And all the people with him had their heads covered and made their way up, weeping as they went.”

David was a truly good king who did not allow his personal enemy to cause others to suffer. He did not allow personal grievances to involve those who were innocent. As leaders we must remember that when we have disagreements with those under our charge or within our ranks, we must contain that conflict or quarrel within and among ourselves. We should never take personal disagreements and differences into the public arena. It is not right to wash dirty linen in public and cause others to suffer because of our personal problems. We should not cause others to suffer on our account, especially when they have nothing to do with our woes. Maturity in leadership is when we know whether a matter is of public interest to be settled openly or a micro matter which should be settled among those involved. Indeed, we should in charity always settle our scores with our opponents and enemies without scandalizing and hurting innocent people.

David showed true statesmanship when slandered and insulted and cursed even by an ordinary citizen, a man belonging to the clan of Saul’s family. Yet, when asked by his officers whether they should retaliate and kill him, David’s answer showed his magnanimity and great humility. Instead of reacting to such unreasonable curses and false accusations, he took everything in silence and without revenge.

Surely David must have felt hurt at such remarks and unjust accusations. In truth, he was always protecting and shielding King Saul. He was faithful to Saul right to the end. But instead of responding to him by cursing him back or even killing him, David said to all his officers, “Why, my own son, sprung from my body, is now seeking my life; so now how much the more this Benjaminite? Let him curse on if the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and repay me with good for his curse today.” David could even put himself in the shoes of his enemies, feeling their pain whilst forgetting his own pain and suffering from the betrayal of his son. Most of all, he blessed those who cursed him; and even saw their curses as means to grow in humility and an occasion to ask for the grace of God and His mercy.

His attitude and actions remind us of Jesus on the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) To the women of Jerusalem, He said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:28) St Peter wrote, “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” (1 Pt 3:17f) St Paul in the same vein expressed this sentiment when he wrote, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Rom 12:14) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” (Rom 12:17) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19)

Indeed, in today’s gospel, we see Jesus acting in a most compassionate manner even with His enemies, the Unclean Spirit. When begged to be sent into the pigs, instead of destroying them Jesus granted them their wish. By so doing, Jesus demonstrated not only His power over the Unclean Spirit but He also sought to cause the least harm in helping the possessed man. His task was to make sure that the man remained unharmed and no others would get hurt again. So the least harmful place would be the pigs. Of course, that decision of His did not please the Gentile villagers whose livelihood depended on the pigs, unlike the Jews who saw pigs as unclean animals. Ironically, instead of asking Jesus to remain behind after witnessing His power over the evil spirit, out of fear for their source of income and livelihood they chose to drive out Jesus rather than the unclean spirit! “They saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood.” But Jesus, without any anger or displeasure, left the territory quietly. He did not react with disappointment at their lack of gratitude and sobriety in judgment. He chose the way of non-violence, of non-retaliation, both towards the Evil Spirit and the people.

Yet, it is precisely in non-retaliation that God works His ways for our good. We read that Jesus would not allow the man who was freed from the unclean spirit to follow Him. Instead, He told the man, “Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.” Jesus did not have to insist that He remained behind to proclaim the Gospel but He left it to the man who perhaps did a better job than if Jesus were to do it Himself. This man was known to everyone that he was possessed and dumb. That he could now speak and was restored was perhaps the best testimony to the power of God at work in Jesus, more than any words that Jesus could have said. And if the testimony was from one of their villagers, they would surely believe his words more so than if they had heard from Jesus Himself. This principle of non-retaliation works effectively because it shows that success and conversion is the power of God; not of man. Love overcomes all evil at the end of the day. As St Paul says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:21) What we humanly think is a failure, cowardice, a loss of face or foolishness, for God, it is His wisdom and power.

Hence, in our struggles against our enemies, like David, we are called to put our faith in God alone, not in man, not in our strength or in our revengeful ways. With the psalmist, let us leave judgement to Him alone. We pray, “Arise, Lord; save me, my God. How many are my foes, O Lord! How many are rising up against me! How many are saying about me: ‘There is no help for him in God.’ But you, Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, who lift up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord. He answers from his holy mountain. I lie down to rest and I sleep. I wake, for the Lord upholds me. I will not fear even thousands of people who are ranged on every side against me.”