Monday, June 16, 2025

Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.’

The disciples were ready to pick up arms, they were ready to kick the Romans out by force. And for a while there it seemed to them like Jesus was building an army of resistance. And then today he seems to have second thoughts about a real fight. He asks them not to waste their energies with fools.

A long time ago someone told me that in most relationships it’s about power. Who has the power and how do they use it! This is why we want the last word and we scream to get it in. What if we changed that. Say our truth quietly and firmly and then move on. It always drives the weak ones or rather the bully, crazy when you don’t give them the fight.

So today do the hard thing! Just observe, learn your lesson and move on. Now sometimes you have to say something but other times, silence speaks louder.