“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.”

Matthew 5:39

Matthew 5:38-42

Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples that instead of listening to the old saying of taking an eye for an eye, they should offer no resistance to one who is evil. If someone strikes them on the right cheek, they should offer the other cheek as well. They should give to the person who asks, and not turn their back on the person who wants to borrow from them.

Jesus’ instructions can be hard to follow at times. When someone wrongs us, we can easily become upset and want to exact revenge in some form on the person. Instead of turning the other cheek, we want to hit back ourselves. Yet this is not what our Lord desires for us.

We are to be humble and meek, not prolonging and propagating violence because we have been wronged. Life is not fair, and giving in to grudges or anger does nothing to help us grow in sanctity. Reflect on ways in which you can work on forgiving others and acting humble in the face of injustice. The Holy Spirit will always help you when turning the other cheek becomes difficult.

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Saint of the Day

St. Marguerite d’Youville: 1701 – 1771

“I leave all to Divine Providence. My confidence is in it.” St. Marguerite d’Youville