A few days ago, I mentioned a phrase to a group of people which was from today’s reading. I don’t necessarily memorize scripture passages, but I try to remember how I live by “when someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” Enduring oppressive statements or treatment towards yours truly. I thought that it was a coincidence that today’s Gospel had that saying. I suppose it’s Our Lord’s way of exhorting how we should be humble. Of course, we don’t just accept terrible injustices such as the current issues on racial discrimination—we must oppose such things. The kinds of circumstances in which the above passage would apply involve ones in which our pride is being tested. Take the high road. If someone provokes you through insults, you don’t need to stoop down to their level and insult them back. Someone once said that the greatest victory is one in which there was no battle...maybe Confucius said it or Sun Tzu, I don’t know. I should search it online, but I’m blogging on my phone’s web browser and I would have to remove my view of the keyboard, open a new tab...it’s, well, maybe overcoming laziness is another blogpost topic. Hah.
On the opposite side of enduring oppression...being valued and having interactions in which you are accepted for who you are are worth celebrating. These overshadow—or more appropriately—shines a blinding light over the experiences of being devalued. I highlight those very much and appreciate people who are kind, considerate, honest, and respectful. Those are the acts that we should certainly reciprocate.
Labels: introspection reality
