Reflection on Today’s Gospel – Lk 6:27-38
Fr. Beaudouin, the founder of a home for the homeless and for the poor in 18th-century in Warsaw, once he collected money for his poor and went to a table where a few men were playing cards. One of the players was very upset by this and he slapped the priest. Father Beaudouin replied: "This is for me, and now I am asking for something for my poor." The nervous player then came to his senses and made a significant donation for the poor.
What do these words mean: " To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well "? We remember that when the Lord Jesus himself was slapped; he did not turn the other cheek - it would be disgustingly theatrical - but with all dignity asked: "What are you hitting me for?"
A physician, friend of mine, told me that when translated into the language of medicine, the Gospel words about turning the other cheek might be: "Don't let adrenaline rule your actions." The point is that our body reacts to the threat with either aggression or flight - in both cases there is an increased release of adrenaline.
Well, the Lord Jesus says: Do not behave like this. If you are hurt, do not give up: it means losing control of yourself or hating your wrongdoer. But also, do not run away, if it is connected with the betrayal of good, or rather be ready to suffer twice as much, if faithfulness of the good requires it.
The Lord Jesus, when he was slapped, did not turn the other cheek, but was ready not only to suffer twice as much - he was even ready to go to the Passion and to the Cross. Moreover, he could even pray for his murderers and see that they were unfortunates who did not know what they were doing.
On the other hand, if we stick to God's commandments, if we try to remember about the love of our neighbor, including the love of our enemies, we are allowed to punish criminals and protect ourselves from harm. The Lord Jesus does not want to make us naive people who let ourselves be devoured by various crooks. He wants us to move away from the so-called realism and began to act according to the principles of genuine realism - such realism for which the commandment of love is the highest principle.
One more thought
There is a golden rule in all religions: " Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you." Only Jesus does not say it in the form of a ban: " Do to others as you would have them do to you!" (Luke 6:31). This golden rule is the foundation of all morality. Commenting on this verse, John Chrysostom teaches us: "There is more to this, because Jesus did not just say 'wish others all that is good', but 'do good to others'". Therefore, Jesus' command cannot remain merely a wish, but must be translated into action.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george