Mt 5:38-42
[Jesus said to his disciples,] 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one… This may sound crazy at first. People may see this non-violent resistance option proposed by Jesus as an easy resignation or a desire for suffering and martyrdom.
Jesus is not asking us to be weaklings. A man of wisdom and of peace, he offers an alternative way. If someone strikes you, offer him another way of dealing with stress: pray for him. If someone speaks ill of you, speak well of him. If someone abuses you, while people may clamor for his death penalty, forgive him. If someone steals from you, offer him the help he needs.
The other way is the road less taken: making a difference, answering hatred with love, defusing anger with friendship. Turning the other cheek is offering a blessing when given a curse.