I got a copy of The Herald yesterday and there was this letter to the editor which suggested ‘turning the other cheek’ towards some issues our church is dealing with. This person went as far as to suggest using Eli. *roll eyes*

This is the thing that irks me sometimes. So many people always use this ‘turning the other cheek’ without giving deeper thought to it. They often see Jesus as the turning the other cheek guy or the guy who taught us to give all if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

I see the above action or suggestions from Jesus more as a show of defiance rather than submission. As a mother, I know my kids love to annoy me if let’s say I punish them with something minor and they purposely ’self torture’ with something harsher just to get back on me.

Back to the original issue I was talking about, a lot of people have asked why we Catholics make an issue out of the matter. Why we didn’t just turn the other cheek and find another substitute? I am very sure the Archbishop have given deep thoughts over this issue and it is now or never that Catholics take a stand on the matter. It may appear as just a name but it involves a much bigger issue. There are many unwritten, unmentionable things that slowly creep into our rights and our territory. For example, I just read that the Orang Asli is demanding the local authorities to act on their grouses. I think there are many other cases but they usually adopt the turn the other cheek until now. Now, we have spoken and we want our voices to be heard.

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Orang Asli in legal fight over church
May 16, 08 11:01am
A group of indigenous Orang Asli Christians has demanded the local authorities restore water and electricity so they can use their church which was wrongfully torn down, their lawyer said.

It is not just about a name. It is not just about our faith. It is about being the light of the world and the light has to shine.