Jesus teaches us in the Gospel of Saint Matthew that those who live by violence die by violence: For all who take the sword will perish by the sword, Matthew 26:52
This teaching of Jesus is an expression of ancient wisdom, you die how you live. Remember that this expression is derived from the law of harvest and sowing: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life", Galatians 6:7-8. In other terms, those who live according to the flesh die according to the flesh, those who live according to the spirit die according to the spirit.
This famous phrase was said by Jesus to one of his disciples to avoid violence during his arrest, after the last supper, one of his disciples draws a sword, and cuts off the ear of a servant of a high priest. The acts moved by passion must be avoided. Jesus meekly accepts his destiny.
But this meekness must be understood within the spiritual gift of fear of God (piety), that is, constancy, firmness, devotion, equanimity, stability. Jesus understands his situation without affliction, without hatred: God is love without passion.
Although this phrase is interpreted literally in the Gospels, what Jesus does is condemn the culture of violence. This culture of violence today assumes other facets. What in Jesus' time was a sword, today in this technological and hyper-communicated world, are the lies, the deceptions, the hate speeches, the silent treatment, and in general everything that unnecessarily harms and offends others. And this culture of violence has a counterweight, as Jesus taught: "Love your neighbor as yourself", Mark 12:31.
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