Does “turn the other cheek” mean not to rebuke any offender?
We need to pray and make reparations for the blasphemies and sacrileges committed. However, we should also energetically rebuke the offenders by instructing them that what they are doing is wrong and that they should stop mocking our faith.
Jesus’ teaching about ‘turning the other cheek’ in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-39) refers to not being vengeful, to never repay evil with evil, as Saint Paul also teaches in Romans 12:17.21.
Nevertheless, Jesus also rebuked and drove the sellers and the moneychangers out of the Temple with a whip, overturning their tables (Mark 11:15-16) (John 2:14-16). So, when someone mocks or shows irreverence toward our faith, we cannot remain silent as if nothing has happened. Instead, we should call their attention by telling them that what they are doing is wrong and that they should stop doing such things. We should rightfully rebuke them, but without insulting them or mocking them in return; otherwise, we would be sinning by repaying evil with evil.
Let’s also recall that Jesus responded when He was slapped in the face (John 18:22-23). That was a slap to the Face of God. Therefore, when our Lord is slapped, we cannot remain silent. Furthermore, ‘Admonishing the Sinner’ and ‘Instructing the Ignorant’ are some of the spiritual works of mercy.
(By Francisco Figueroa)
#charity
