Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 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. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

It takes a great amount of humility and love in order to resist the temptation to repay evil with evil. Our first instincts are to fight those who persecute or hurt us (or perhaps to flee from them). However, this is not the way Jesus wants us to respond. Instead, we are called to turn the other cheek. In addition, we are challenged by Christ to hand over whatever we have to those who ask us and to go the extra mile with those who press us into service. This kind of life is not an easy one. Our prideful selves and the Devil will tempt us to rebel against it by asking us: Why should we sacrifice everything for others? What about us and our needs? Why shouldn’t they serve us instead? These questions may enter our thoughts, but let us never let them enter our hearts. They are selfish questions that lead us away from knowing, loving, and serving God and His children. Instead, we should humbly accept our calling to be givers, no matter the worldly cost, because in the end it is the treasure we store up for ourselves in heaven that matters most.

Do we turn the other cheek when people commit evils against us? Are we willing to give up our wants and needs for others? Will we go the extra mile, even for those who mistreat or exploit us?

O Lord, let us never turn our backs on those in need and never raise a hand against those who harm us.

Amen.