Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The key phrase from this week’s Gospel is so well known that many approach it as a clear piece of positive advice we can find in many other philosophies: “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:31). We should remember though, that our Lord came to a world focused on revenge as justice. In both ancient pagan and Jewish law, an evildoer’s punishment was expected to match his crime, as in “…you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exodus 2:23-25).