Homily: June 15, 2026 Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (Resistance)

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

Why did Jesus say this? Shouldn’t we resist and fight evil, so that we can keep ourselves holy?

I remember years ago, I was traveling in a non-Christian country, and I had in my hand-carry bag, a zip-lock pouch of unconsecrated hosts for celebrating Mass during my trip. At customs, the officer checked my bag, took out the zip-lock pouch containing the hosts, then with one hand, crushed them all into pieces, and put them back into my bag.

I felt great anger, and I felt deep sadness. I did not say a word. I knew saying anything about it would not make any difference, it would only complicate my travels.

Utter disrespect! Such evil! In my heart I wanted to curse them.

In today’s first reading, we see another example. King Ahab was wealthy, powerful, he had everything he needed and more, but he was not satisfied. He was greedy. He desired Naboth’s vineyard. So, his queen, Jezebel, made false accusations against Naboth, had him stoned to death, and took over his vineyard.

What injustice! Such evil! Shouldn’t they be cursed?

Greed, corruption, injustice, lies and theft, abuse of power, violence against the innocent, inhumane oppression etc etc etc. Such evil exists everywhere, throughout history to this day and age.

And our Lord Jesus tells us to offer no resistance to evil. Should we remain silent and really do nothing about it?

During His trial, Jesus was struck by a temple guard, and Jesus questioned him, “Why do you strike me?”

Even though Jesus endured the rest of His Passion in silence, at that moment He questioned the injustice. So we too should not keep silent in the face of injustice.

When Jesus said, “offer no resistance to evil”, He is teaching us not to fight evil with evil. In the face of evil, we ourselves do not become evil.

In the ways of the world, one angry word provokes another angry word; one violent act strikes up another, our instinct is to fight back. Evil wants to spread itself.

But Jesus wants to break that cycle. He teaches us to fight hatred with love, counter evil with truth, overrule injustice with dignity, kill violence with patience and gentleness.

Let us not fight evil with resistance, but counter it with God’s grace. As St. Teresa of Avila said, “let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you…”

Thus, let no evil provoke you. In all things, let grace lead you. Amen.


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