From the Gospel according to Matthew
5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But 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.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

Give it as well.

“If someone wants to take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Lord, how many years I spent without understanding this Gospel! Because I was stuck in my human reasoning, in what seemed fair to me from my own perspective…
And now I look at You on the Cross and I see that this is love—total surrender, without prior conditions, everything for love, everything. That doesn’t fit within human logic, but it is the truth, because You, the Creator, the Almighty, created everything out of love. You created us out of love and You call us to love.
And in this Gospel, You show us how You love, You show us what love truly is.
Love is giving, love is self-giving, love is seeking to do the will of the beloved because you want the best for them. Without thinking of yourself, thinking only of the other.
That is how You love us, that is how You want us to receive Your love, and, filled with Your love, to love as You love us.

Applied to married life:

Jacobo: (Coming out of the kitchen early on a Saturday, grumbling) She knew how excited I was about having lunch with the family today, with our kids, and she just had to invite her mother and brother to come over. Ugh, I’m letting the devil get to me. I’m going to turn to the Lord.
“Lord, what should I do? You know how good it is for our family to eat together.”
(After a moment of silence, contemplating Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, he realizes that his wife acted with the best of intentions, and maybe her brother really needs it.)
“Thank You, Jesus, for helping me see that this isn’t about being right, but about loving, about letting go of my pride so I can receive Your infinite love. If they ask for my tunic, let me give them my cloak as well. It hurts, but this is the way—it hurt You so much more, Jesus!”

Jacobo: (Returning to his wife)
Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I want to do what you think is best because I want to love you more each day. Would you like me to go pick up your mom and your brother so they can come?

Carmen: Thank you so much, love. And I truly apologize for not checking with you first—I know the Virgin wouldn’t have done it that way. Do you want to go on that walk you love this afternoon, just the two of us? I love you!

Mother,

Please enlighten us and help us to always seek to do God’s will in every situation. May we give our cloak as well when asked for our tunic.
Praised be Christ crucified.