There is a teaching in Christianity that we are never supposed to claim our own rights. We are to remain clam and trust God’s justice. We are to leave all judgment to Him.
Jesus’ words about turning the other cheek are the strongest support for this teaching. We are not supposed to retaliate when someone mistreats us or makes unreasonable demands of us.
Matthew 5:38-40 English Standard Version (ESV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
Those are strong words and seem to settle the issue. Don’t ever defend yourself in the face of an injustice. Let people say whatever they wish about you and never talk back to them. Let people take whatever they want from you, and offer them more than what they ask. If you are sued, then do not resist.
St. Augustine pointed out that not even Jesus followed this teaching as some would have us understand it. That is, we should always remain silent and never defend ourselves. So that cannot be the meaning of Jesus’ words. We are not to take them exactly literally to mean that we can never stand up to an abuser. Notice, too, that Jesus did not use all the power He had to defend Himself. He could have destroyed those who struck Him, but He refrained from doing so.
He did appeal to the law, and pointed out that they were breaking it. He didn’t say, “Hit me again on the other side."
After Jesus was arrested and brought to the house of the high priest, when He was struck by a Jewish officer while being interrogated, Jesus did not turn his other cheek. Instead, he said, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" (John 18:23).
- Fr. Stephen F. Torraco
See EWTN Turn the Other Cheek
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