Matthew 5:39
But
I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you
on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
There is a similar
Filipino saying, “Kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay” (“If someone
stoned you, throw a bread at him, instead”).
Most of us are familiar with the "turn the other cheek"
statement. But does any of us truly
understand what this means?
For me, it means do not use violence to
resist evil. Do not continue the
downward spiral of violence. Jesus wants
us to break the downward cycle of violence by refusing to cooperate with
violence, refusing to retaliate with further violence.
But does that mean sit back, be passive,
and suffer violence? No! The world tells
us there are only two options in the face of violence: fight back with violence
or run away and do nothing.
But Jesus offers a third alternative: active nonviolence resistance. Jesus doesn’t advocate passive resignation or
indifference to evil. He teaches and
practices active, steadfast resistance to every form of violence and
injustice. He just does not use the same
means as the oppressor.
There are several events throughout the
Bible that establish the principle of self-defense. However, seeking personal revenge is
prohibited. Jesus stated that not only
murderers were in danger of judgment but those who are angry enough to murder are
also in danger of judgment. While we may
avoid or resist evil when it is necessary for our own security, we cannot
render evil for evil nor avenge ourselves.
We must get beyond this and forgive the
offenders while seeking their salvation.
That’s when we become like Jesus, nonviolent resisters to the culture of
violence and war.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, we pray for your peace and
your mercy in the midst of the great suffering that people are now inflicting
on each other. Amen +
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
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