Job 10:21-27
This I know: that my Avenger lives,
and he, the Last, will take his stand on earth.
After my awaking, he will set me close to him,
and from my flesh I shall look on God.
My eyes widened. Avenger? My Lord the Avenger? Job, you continue to open my eyes. Jesus is our superhero. High-five! He fights for justice and will stand by truth. I once had to swear on the Bible in small claims court when the judge saw that I was wearing a cross. I was taken aback but yes, I swore to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Jesus stood by me and I won the case.
Are there other places in the Bible that names our Lord as an Avenger?
1 Thessalonians 4:6
That no one wrong or exploit a brother or sister in this matter,
because the Lord is an avenger in all these things,
just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
Thessalonica was then a place of great trade and business, and there was often cheating and defrauding between men, some were not keeping to the terms of the contract, or were taking advantage of the weakness and ignorance of man, there were acts of adultery and unlawful desires. The person that commits these things the Lord avenges.
Romans 12:19-21
Beloved, never avenge yourselves,
but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Instead “if your enemies are hungry, feed them;
if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
for by so doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
Here, St Paul encourages those who have placed their faith in Christ that God is their avenger too. When your parents make rules that defies logic, you can obey them and pray that God will help you adapt or that a revelation will happen to adjust the rules. If they are non-Christians, pray your obedience would draw them to Christ. When young ones don’t respect you, an adult, or vice versa, you can faithfully seek to encourage them spiritually even when they don’t seem to be grateful for your efforts and may even seem downright rude.
Avenge or Revenge
So what’s the difference? To avenge means “to redeem or get back something that is lost” and indeed Jesus has redeemed us when he died on the cross and by his resurrection. Revenge on the other hand is more personal, less concerned with justice, and more about retaliation by inflicting harm.
Saint Olga of Kiev, the Patron Saint of Vengeance
(dubbed a Bad-Ass Saint)
If you thought St Paul’s transformation was epic, read about Saint Olga. Before becoming a Christian, she was perceived as ruthless and revengeful, notably demonstrated in her dealings with the Drevlians who killed her husband. She butchered, boiled, buried, and burned her enemies alive.
Nevertheless, her acceptance of Christianity led to a transformation so great that it ultimately earned her sainthood. Her life offers a profound example of sainthood that inspires Catholics worldwide.
Disciples Follow, Apostles Proclaim
Fr Sam’s weekday homily strikes a chord. Are you a disciple or an apostle?
If you believe that God is your Avenger and will stand by you, do you go forth to preach with your life and your words?
Shared by Karen R-Fong, a wannabe tai-tai who wants to retire in a library of books and to read with our Lord to her last days.
References:
www.biblestudytools.com
The Gospel Coalition, www.thegospelcoalition.org
The Tale of Olga of Kiev https://catholicsaints.day/olga-of-kiev/