"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you."

Jesus establishes the law of forgiveness.  How difficult this has become today!  Increasingly the world trains us to defend ourselves at all costs and to never suffer an injustice.  How liberating is that?  To be ever vigilant to defend and repair our ego when it is threatened is exhausting to our interior equilibrium which is necessary for recollection by which we hear the whispering voice of God.

The tighter we cling to our possessions the more frequent the occasions to take offense.  Witness how some people guard and protect their automobile as though it were their life's work.  They go mad if someone accidentally bumps into it in a parking lot.  How much precious interior energy is spent clinging to this chunk of metal which is awaiting the garbage heap.  The same can be said of our egos.  We build up interior shrines to ourselves and defend them like an army.  We stop at nothing to ensure we suffer no injustice, so others may not view us as weak or take advantage of us, or so our own self-image may not suffer.  Is that freedom?  Our ego, like our automobile, can't accompany us through the gate of death.  And if it is swollen, it will have to be deflated before we can get through the gate of heaven.

You can come into possession of enormous, unspeakable power even in this life if you follow Christ's teaching.  It is the greatest power known on earth: forgiveness.  Wield forgiveness, gentleness, compassion and mercy like a sword.  With it, take bold, sweeping strokes against the enemy who screams at you to suffer no wrong, to revenge yourself.  In peaceful recollection tune out the noise of the world which demands you build yourself up by resisting any wrong-doing against yourself.  Be prepared to experience a freedom you may have never known.  "For freedom Christ has set us free."