about "turning the other cheek."

We often hear this scripture from St. Matthew's Gospel quoted: ". . . if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; (5:39b). We usually take it on surface value -- don't strike back. However, we need to look deeper. In Jesus' time it was an act of defiance, not submission. In other words, rather than striking back, turning to offer the other cheek was, in essence, saying, "Hit me again. I'll still be here and you will STILL have to deal with me." In a way, we saw that same kind of response unfold with the non-violent protests in Egypt over these last two weeks. The protesters did not give in to violence -- even when violence was thrust upon them. And, guess what -- it worked. It worked like Ghandi's worked to change things for the better in Indian 60+ years ago. It worked like Martin Luther King's worked to bring about desegregation in the South 50+ years ago. Not without difficulty, but it worked.
"Hit me again. I'll still be here and you will STILL have to deal with me. I won't give in to that kind of violence, that kind of relationship. And, I won't submit to your abuse. You don't get that kind of power over me. You can't have it. I won't give it to you. I will give you love, instead."
That's what Jesus is saying. And, think about it -- that's what he did when confronted with the absolute worst of humanity's capacity for violence at his own crucifixion.
Talk about it -- and let me know your thoughts.
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