Today’s thought continues with the other teachings of Jesus to stay away from power, money and authority. In St. Matthew 5: 38-39 he goes a step further by saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Could it be true that Jesus tries to steer clear from the Old Testament teaching that one has to hit back, an eye for an eye!? Or is he trying to be funny, sarcastic or subtly question the hopeless system which can never offer justice to anyone?
Even though it is so difficult to
comprehend, Jesus means exactly what he says. Perhaps it is even more difficult
to listen to this than the other teachings. How on earth can we forgive our enemy
and allow them to hurt us repeatedly, with no reaction from our side? Jesus is
trying something intense here and challenging us to observe a lent, which is
much beyond diet restrictions. We can restrict and even go without food but
forgetting the hurt and abuse of an enemy is next to impossible. And yet we are
called to do just that.
We are asked to not react. There
are times when we also realise that a problem can be solved if we don’t react,
if we take a walk, if we remain silent and if we choose to become strong by
appearing weak. Showing our other cheek also allows us to think, to analyse, to
weigh the situation and to decide whether a reaction is worth it. There is a
call to give. But give not to our family, church or community but to someone
who is our enemy and works against us.
This is another characteristic of
a Christian which unfortunately does not exist much anymore. Was Jesus just
trying to be different, unique and shocking or did he have a method behind this
madness. A ritualistic way of giving hands and seeking reconciliation would be
for one person to say, “Forgive me a sinner” and for the other to reply, “God forgives
and so do I.” The people then switch sides and say the opposite as well. When
someone seeks forgiveness, it is for some wrong that they have already
committed. Our response would be “God forgives and so do I.” We would ideally
not hit the person and then say, “I forgive you.”
During lent, our effort for reconciliation
can only have the reply which God suggests. It is to show our other cheek.
Showing our other cheek does not only suggest to be hit on that too, but to
have a cheek to cheek show of reconciliation and love. Jesus is suggesting a natural
Christ like or Christian response to hatred and conflict. Our response should
always be towards reconciliation and not revenge. It does not matter what another
person does. Our only response is forgiveness and reconciliation.
This lent, let us challenge
ourselves to say “I forgive you and I love you” to someone who has hurt us. This
is exactly what Jesus does when we hurt him. He shows his other cheek, to love,
to accept and to care. The crowds flocked to see Jesus exactly because of this.
May we also get this craziness and cheekiness to confuse and distract people so
much that they respond positively to our overtures of friendship and love.
Amen.
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