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YEARNING4TRUTH
Guest
Hello, I read today’s Gospel (MT 5:38-48) and I just couldn’t help but think that Jesus is calling us to be doormats in a way. What do you guys think? I would really appreciate your help with this. Thanks.
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WingsOfEagles
Guest
Our Priest brought up in his homily the fact that you do not need to have a certain person in your life in order to forgive them. For example, in the case of an abuser, the victim may need to forgive that person while not actually coming into contact with that person again as that person is dangerous to them.
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Todd977
Guest
Confraternity Bible commentary on Matthew 5:38-42.
Haydock Bible commentary on Matthew v. 38, 39.
St Thomas Aquinas’ Catena Aurea’s commentary on Matthew 5:38-42, including the following:
Aug., de Mendac., 15: The things which are done by the Saints in the New Testament profit for examples of understanding those Scriptures which are modelled into the form of precepts. Thus we read in Luke; “Whoso smiteth thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also.” [Luke 6:29] Now there is no example of patience more perfect than that of the Lord; yet He, when He was smitten, said not, ‘Behold the other cheek,’ but, “If I have spoken amiss, accuse me wherein it is amiss; but if well, why smitest thou me? [John 18:23] hereby shewing us that turning of the other cheek should be in the heart.
Haydock Bible commentary on Matthew v. 38, 39.
St Thomas Aquinas’ Catena Aurea’s commentary on Matthew 5:38-42, including the following:
Aug., de Mendac., 15: The things which are done by the Saints in the New Testament profit for examples of understanding those Scriptures which are modelled into the form of precepts. Thus we read in Luke; “Whoso smiteth thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also.” [Luke 6:29] Now there is no example of patience more perfect than that of the Lord; yet He, when He was smitten, said not, ‘Behold the other cheek,’ but, “If I have spoken amiss, accuse me wherein it is amiss; but if well, why smitest thou me? [John 18:23] hereby shewing us that turning of the other cheek should be in the heart.
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Bonnie
Guest
Our priest pointed out that we don’t have to like everyone, but we do have to love them. He gave several examples of the difference (which I don’t remember 
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
We have already lost the fight when we lose our temper and our rationale. Jesus says love your enemy and pray for them. Because heathens do as much as love their neighbour, and hate others.
Forgiveness leads to a healthy mental state. There is no stewing over what went down, no vengence, bitterness , hardness of heart.
Doesnt mean you have to forget. Or put yourself in the same path again. There is also the passage about wiping the soil of the town from the feet of the Apostles , where they were not welcomed.
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Jeanne_S
Guest
Same with our priest.That takes a lot of the pressure off.Our priest pointed out that we don’t have to like everyone, but we do have to love them. He gave several examples of the difference (which I don’t remember
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Isca
Guest
Our (new) priest asked us to think about someone we didn’t like, or someone who had wronged us and pray for that person. He said it was not just about being neutral towards someone, it was about praying for the best for them, just as we would for our loved ones. It was a thought-provoking homily
I say ‘new’ priest because we are a single-priest parish which has a very large Victorian parish house - our parish priest lives there alone, he doesn’t even have any office staff. Consequently, priests on sabbaticals from elsewhere in the diocese and those recovering from long-term illness often spend months living there, because there’s lots of room. It’s great for us, because we get different (often very interesting academic) priests celebrating Mass!
I say ‘new’ priest because we are a single-priest parish which has a very large Victorian parish house - our parish priest lives there alone, he doesn’t even have any office staff. Consequently, priests on sabbaticals from elsewhere in the diocese and those recovering from long-term illness often spend months living there, because there’s lots of room. It’s great for us, because we get different (often very interesting academic) priests celebrating Mass!
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TARRAT
Guest
Doormat was our pastor’s homily today. He defended the fact that we are not called to be doormats. He explained what that story would have meant to those listening at the time the story was written. I think something else explains it also. When Jesus was struck at his passion he did not turn his other cheek but confronted His assailant. Hope this helps.
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WingsOfEagles
Guest
Yes! One of the cool things about being Catholic! :extrahappy:**Firstly how great it is that some of you are many thousands of miles
les away in a different country and we had the same Gospel.
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Secondly I think it has a lot to with vengeance, normally people who cannot forgive seek some sort of revenge.
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Lenten_ashes
Guest
I know right.Firstly how great it is that some of you are many thousands of miles
les away in a different country and we had the same Gospel.
Secondly I think it has a lot to with vengeance, normally people who cannot forgive seek some sort of revenge.
Love the unity
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1Lord1Faith
Guest
This gospel is not about being a doormat. It’s about the intrinsic dignity of people. It’s about two wrongs not making a right. It’s about finding the right ways to not be a doormat when others treat you like one.
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PNEUMA
Guest
No, Jesus just want us to love the world with him, with his perfect love. We cant do this without him.
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Augustine3
Guest
Did our Lord turn his other cheek to be hit when the guard struck him?
MT 5:38-48 Jesus is speaking figuratively to illustrate the point on where the disposition of the heart should be.
God bless
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abucs
Guest
I think it is important to be humble from a position of strength. If you are weak in some way and you see that as your place then I do not think it is Christian and it is not a good attitude for the person to internalise.
I say this especially in teaching young students who themselves are still growing and discovering themselves. I tell them that it is important to be strong in themselves and then be humble from that strength.
So an example if we are discussing bullying in class would be to have students in groups think of all the nasty names and characteristics they hear people say to each other and then have them all call me, the teacher those names in a nasty way.
I display to the students that it does not affect me because I have a greater maturity, self experience and strength than the students. I sympathise with them when they are called bad names and when they picked on or excluded but I display that when you have strength you can look at insults a different way and look to help the other person from your position of strength.
I encourage them to be strong but have them recognise that they are still growing and gaining self experiences and strength and that they should not bow down to bullying or make themselves doormats until they are strong enough to be able to not be personally affected by the abusive behaviour of others.
I highlight that Christianity does not mean they have to be subservient to others and allow abuse which personally hurts them but they need to be strong first and then afterwards be humble in order to help the other person.
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dochawk
Guest
The whole thing is based in first century culture of the region
A few months ago this came up (Eastern cycle is different than Western for Gospels).
Fr. Marcus is well grounded in first century hebrew culture, as are some of those who taught him.
It is not nearly as submissive as it sounds.
After striking someone in such a manner, the body posture of both would be changed.
If the aggressor were to strike again at the proffered cheek from that direction, he would actually lose face/status and be humiliated.
I wish I remembered more details.
In a similar vein, on tunics and cloaks . . .
It would have been someone suing on collateral (which had to be returned at night, anyway). In the culture of the times, nakedness shamed not the naked person, but the person who caused the nakedness!
AMDG
hawk
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slMike
Guest
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