Spiritually turning the other cheek and the constant language of the heart
I've been reading the <<Meditations>> of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, since I love wisdom literature. And it is very wholesome for Christians. He insists on the importance of being good even in one's thoughts to the best of one's ability. And he has been a way I believe that God has gotten through to me how to apply the Lord's commandment to turn the other cheek to a situation. In the New Church we do not teach that this commandment to turn the other cheek involves literally not to defend ourselves as individuals or groups or nations; for this would result in ruin! Certainly parry that blow and if necessary neutralize that target in defense of self and loved ones and what is greater even than these. We are not to return evil for evil. We can return defense to aggression, but we are not to hate and otherwise commit sin against the neighbor. This brings me to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius again. He insists throughout the <<Meditations>> that we are ours...