Turning the Other Cheek

The shock of the slap, the sudden attack leaving you off-balance, reeling, smack reddening in astonishment like an enforced blush— a mark of antagonization as if some cold hand meant to remold your mouth, gag words of love, truest scripture, the peace of non-religion that is Christ who longs for us to befriend: the thief, the whore, the lost and infirm, every cursed Judas, all races and ages, unbelievers, the rightfully imprisoned and even the tyrants of today who defile a faith by delivering blows though the other cheek is willingly offered, turned by the Holy Hand, so softly, meekly, adoringly ... His kiss, ready in the breeze, the Messiah’s healing balm. His warm heart within you, calming your storm.