"the avenger of blood" (nm 35:12)
"Let me witness the vengeance You take on them." —Jeremiah 11:20
The people to whom Jeremiah prophesied were treacherously planning to kill him (Jer 11:19). Jeremiah risked his neck to serve God and wanted God to back him up by taking vengeance on these enemies. In addition, Jeremiah wanted to see it personally.
We Christians have enemies also. Unlike Jeremiah, we do get to witness the vengeance God takes on them. We see:
- Jesus destroying the devil's works (1 Jn 3:8),
- the pride of the powerful crushed as they gaze upon Jesus crucified (see Is 52:15),
- sinners emerging from the confessional with tears of repentance and gratitude as Jesus in His vengeance robs Satan of still more of his former captives (Col 2:15).
God commands in His Word: "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; leave that to [Me]...'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay' " (Rm 12:19). Yet we can have a role. God's Word tells us: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; by doing this you will heap burning coals upon his head" (Rm 12:20).
God is perfectly just (1 Cor 1:30; Is 30:18). He is able to punish the wicked until they are forced to choose for Him or against Him (2 Pt 2:9). He can avenge by acting in justice or avenge through mercy. Let's do our part as God's agents so His enemies and ours receive the merciful kind of vengeance from God (Rm 12:20).
Prayer: Father, may the burning coals of kindness I pour on my enemies melt their hearts and lead them to You.
Promise: "No man ever spoke like that before." —Jn 7:46
Praise: Theresa sponsors both Christian and Muslim children through the missions.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 8, 2019
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