“Jesus said to his disciples:

‘You have heard that it was said,

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.

When someone strikes you on your right cheek,

turn the other one as well…

You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

But I say to you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of your heavenly Father,

for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,

and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.’”

I am writing this after having watched the Super Bowl. As if they need it from me, nonetheless, congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on the win! Having grown up as a Bengals fan, I was halfheartedly rooting for the Chiefs and the amazing creativity, ability, and toughness of Patrick Mahomes. Although I am not a huge NFL fan, I watched him at least four times this year and, in some way, he reminded me of the amazement I would have at Tiger Woods making a seemingly impossible shot on the golf course. It was as if he could do what no one else would even attempt. As I was traveling to the first of three Super Bowl parties I attended, I missed the live performance of the National Anthem. It’s was the first thing mentioned to me when I arrived (“Did you hear Chris Stapleton sing the National anthem on the radio on your way here?”). Even my mom texted, “Chris Stapleton did good.” I have been a fan of Chris Stapleton since before he embarked on his personal career and won eight Grammys, when he was the lead singer for a group called The Steel Drivers. To warn you, I may be a bit biased, but I watched his performance on YouTube once I got home. I thought it was exceptional. 

First off, I thought he was authentic, true to himself. I could imagine Chris with his guitar in his garage singing to himself, as if he weren’t even in front of the largest worldwide audience of his career. He was simply a man with his guitar singing. He didn’t try to be something he wasn't. Second, I have certainly felt that some past renditions of the Nation Anthem have been more about the artist than about the song. Though soulful, his rendition seemed to be more about the song than about his performance. Third, he brought to the song his full range of abilities and talents. He gave the very best of himself to his performance. If you didn’t see it live, like me, I do encourage you to watch Chris sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. It is worthy. 

In today’s gospel, we hear the final two antitheses of this part of the Sermon on the Mount. In last week’s gospel we had heard the first four antitheses relating to killing, adultery, divorce, and swearing an oath. Today, Jesus takes up revenge and enemies. Taken together, the provide for us a look deep into our interior life, our need for a savior (our dependence on God’s grace), and a high ideal for our behavior. It is a call to be the very best of who we are and were made to be. It resonates deep within our souls. Our response to God’s grace can take a lesson from Chris Stapleton. First, we must authentically encounter Jesus Christ as who we are, without pretending to be something we’re not. Second, we do this within a faith tradition beyond ourselves. It is not all about me or you, but about God and what God has done in Christ. Third, it calls for our full engagement. All that we have and all that we are, the very best of ourselves, is what we give to God. It is more than singing a song, but our lives are, in a sense, a song we sing to God and for others. May our song be authentic, focused beyond ourselves, and our very best. May the song of our lives be beautiful and worthy.