What will happen if I show the cheek

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Monday*

*GOSPEL - 2 Cor 6:1-10*

*First Reading - Mt 5:38-42*

*What will happen if I show the cheek*

*When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well*

*1) Jesus' teaching to show the other cheek as well*

In today's Gospel Jesus tell us to show the other cheek to those who, strike at the right cheek 

At times we find it hard to follow this teaching of Jesus and at times we ask the question, that will he/she not take the advantage of the situation? 

So the question is what will happen if the show the other cheek?

*2) Two possibilities will take place*

Either He/She will strike you on the lest cheek as well 

Or the person may not harm you at all.

If the person doesn't harm you, then its clear that you have already won the opponent. 

When the opponent does not see the reaction, he/she will not proceed with violence, on the contrary the person will realise his/her mistake

This realisation of the mistake may help him to change his life. That is how the conversion takes place 

*3) If he strike you to the left cheek as well what will happen?*

If the person does not show any kind of reaction then it is clear, after striking the left cheek, he will stop further striking you. 

Secondly, such an calm an open minded attitude will confuse the opponent. This may lead him to think about his own acts 

Thirdly, there is no question of situation becoming worse or fearful. Since no resistance from your part, immediately situation becomes calm. This may lead to stop fearful situation

Fourthly the person has no reason to keep anger or revenage against you. Since there is no resistance, no question of any anger or hatred. 

Fithly, since the situation gets cool, no further fights will take place. At least you will be in peace 

Sixly, since you have not shown any kind of resistance, you will have no remorse, guilt feeling, but you will feel that you have done right thing according to the teaching of Jesus. This will give you more peace of mind 

Seven : since you have show you left cheek as well, finally it may lead to the conversion of the person as well. 

In all the above things, it is very clear that you little pain or at times what we call as humiliation, ultimately leads to live you in peace and helps the other persons conversion 

*4) Cheek is a place to express love and not hatred or revenge*

Cheek is one among the most important places in our body, which is used to express deep love 

People those who are close to us, exchange the feeling of love by kissing on the cheek 

So it is very clear that cheek is a place of love and not of expressing anger, hatred and revenge

So never try to turn the place of love into hatred 

*5) What will I do, if the other person shows the left cheek as well?*

We need to reflect this question very seriously 

If there is a situation, where my opponent shows the left cheek as well,

Will I take the advantage of the situation? But question is how long? 

Will such an attitude help me to live a peaceful life? 

What am I going to gain ultimately at the end of the day? Lose my peace of ming? 

*6)  Am I ready to show my left cheek as well?*

We know its very hard and difficult teaching of Jesus

But if the situation comes in my life, am I ready to show my left cheek? 

Or will I take the revenge by giving him two more strikes?  If so what will you get? What will be the further results? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*