Believe it or not, Jesus’ words weren’t about weakness or surrender. They meant the exact opposite. In a simple but profound way, Jesus told His listeners to stand firm in the face of oppression and not back down. By refusing to retaliate and instead offering the other cheek, they denied the oppressor the reaction they wanted.

Next week, school starts for the vast majority of our youth. Under normal circumstances, it is a time of anticipation as new grades, new classes, new friends, and new opportunities arise.