Often times a superficial reading of the Bible proves dangerous and surely less beneficial for one’s spiritual growth in the Lord. This is especially true of Jesus’ saying in Matthew: “But whenever anyone insults you by slapping your right cheek, turn your other cheek to that person” (Matt 5, 39) as well as in Luke: “To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other” (Lk 6, 29).
The meaning of the biblical expression “turn to that person the other cheek”, means to avoid retaliation. The book of Proverbs already points to this direction when it says: “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will help you” (Prov 20, 22) and “Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done’” (Prov 24, 29).
It goes without saying that when one adopts a non-retaliatory position one puts herself/himself in a state of ongoing vulnerability. This can be utterly witnessed in Jesus’ attitude during his passion. St Peter gives us a vivid picture of what Jesus went through by turning the other cheek to those who maltreated him. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly” (1 Pt 2, 23).
The point is to trust in God who defends the oppressed as psalm 9 puts it. “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9, 9). This total trust in God helps and motivates the persecuted to dialogue lovingly with her/his persecutors. When one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, Jesus did not remain silent but lovingly faced the one who wronged him by correcting him in a spirit of charity: “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” (Jn 18, 23).
From its early times the Church has always exhorted that in face of evil received one is never justified in doing justice in her/his own way. The letter to the Romans opens our eyes to this reality: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (Rom 12, 19). Since the restoration of justice is God’s business all that one is expected to do is to love her/his persecutors unconditionally. “See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all” (1 Thess 5, 15).
Thus, turning the other cheek perfectly complies with the Pauline teaching: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12, 21). And the ending result of such a holy act is eternal life. As Robert Muller said: “To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
San Gwann