A politician recently told a crowd to put on the armor of God - and to strap on a handgun.
 
This is the perfect image of our ongoing American wrestling match - with a cross in one hand, and a gun in the other.
 
But let's be clear: Jesus didn't advocate violence, 
he called himself the Prince of Peace!

He didn't retaliate against his persecutors,
he forgave them.

He didn't defend himself,
but in Sunday's gospel, he says he laid down his life - and that we should too.
 
Time and again, Jesus showed us love, and that love is ready to die, not kill.
 
How are we being tempted by our evolutionary and cultural programming to fight and harm instead of following the Jesus Way of forgiveness and peace?