Turn the other cheek

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Matthew 5:38-42

St. John Chrysostom says that "one fire is not quenched by another, but fire by water." Even so, forgiveness and loving those who wish us harm is still a very difficult thing for most of us. It isn't enough to simply "forgive" a person.

Perhaps you have heard the popular saying, "forgive but never forget." It seems as though the meaning of forgiveness is completely lost in sayings like this. Perhaps, in memory, there can be no forgetfulness, but in action, there must be.

Let us not also assume that loving our enemies, loving those we find difficult to love is an accomplishable feat without much trial and error. To be like the saints, to have such love for others that being offended is no longer a way in which they react, this requires constantly being near to God. In the same way that those in a marriage resemble each other in action after much time together, so those who regularly draw near to God in prayer resemble Him in love.

Beloved, let us both strive as we can in the limitations of our humanity and also not neglect drawing near to God and an established life of good works. It is only through the way of repentance that we can truly understand and act upon Christ's call to turn the other cheek.