Turn the other cheek (Adrian Sukumar-White - Matt 5:38-48)

Jesus taught some very challenging things. This week’s Gospel reading (Matt 5:38-48) is certainly among the more challenging and disconcerting aspects of Jesus’ teaching. In a world where it is common for people to want to push back at each other when they feel pushed around (it was in Jesus’ day just as it is today), Jesus indicates it is best not to reciprocate (or escalate) the violence that others might inflict. It is the hardest thing in the world to not reflect back aggression to someone who is aggressive toward us. Jesus indicates this is the way of his Father. This is how the kingdom comes!