Mt 5:38-42 An Eye for an Eye...

I remember when I was a kid actually listening to this reading about an "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." (See Lv 24:19-21) My siblings and I were grossed out by the idea of cutting out an eye.  The teeth we could understand, our teeth when loose were sometimes tied by string to a door knob so they'd fall out sooner. 

It was one of our uncles who finally sat us down and told us that we had misinterpreted what we were hearing.  The idea of was that there should be just compensation for a loss.  If someone steals something then they work it off, or replace the item with something similar of equal value.  If someone wrongfully harms your reputation, then they try to make up for it through honesty and admitting that they had messed-up to those whom they had originally deceived.

Jesus give us this same line from Leviticus today, but adds to it a challenging message of patience, charity and forgiveness: 
"When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow"