We live in a world where retaliation and escalating rhetoric fill our news channels.

It seems the days when leaders stood above the mud-slinging have passed.

We live in a day when payback seems to be ever sought; conflicts and division seem to be escalating.

As Christians, we are called to live differently.

Jesus has called us to be people who do not retaliate.

This weekend we will consider the challenging words of Jesus on how to respond when treated badly by others. It is a truly counter-cultural message.