Gospel (Mt 5,38-42) - At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «You have heard that it was said: “An eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth”. But I tell you, do not oppose the wicked; Indeed, if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him too, and to anyone who wants to take you to court and take away your tunic, leave your cloak too. And if anyone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two. Give to those who ask you, and do not turn your back on those who want to borrow from you."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

In the scheme of oppositions, Jesus now takes the passage from the Old Testament which reports the so-called law of retaliation: "You have heard that it was said: an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". Through this code we wanted, in some way, to put a limit on the spirit of revenge. Jesus, with his teaching, wants to defeat the root evil of violence. Evil must not be governed, it must be eradicated, says Jesus. And the only way to defeat it is that of overabundant love. Evil cannot be overcome with other evil, even if regulated, but only with an even more generous good. Jesus, in effect, with these statements overturns the mentality of his time - still very widespread today - and asks the disciple not only to banish revenge from his behavior, but even to turn the other cheek. Jesus proposes to men a new way of life centered entirely on love. Those who let themselves be guided by love defeat evil with the superabundance of good. If someone loves, he also offers his cloak to anyone who asks for it and is ready to travel even double the kilometers to anyone who asks for company, and does not turn his back on anyone who asks for help. With love, evil is defeated at its birth and the way to a dignified life is opened.