It is about forgiving seventy times seven times even if the possibility of the offender's conversion is a far-off reality. It is about shutting up so that others can speak out. It is about not minding that one's brighter ideas are bypassed in favor of the other's simpler ones. It is being happy with the role of arranging the plastic chairs a few good meters away from the stage and the limelight. It is what's called THE EXTRA MILE.
It is however way much different from false humility. It is not at all playing dumb or fool. For the latter is plain deceit, and the former, a subtler, more sinister form of pride. THE EXTRA MILE is about consciously, courageously, maturely and even happily downgrading one's self so that others may shine through. It is about dying to self so that others may live. It is about my "decreasing" so that others may "increase."
"Turn the other cheek" says The Boss when someone strikes you on the right side. Offer no resistance to one who is evil. Gladly tell the one who covets your tunic that he might as well have your cloak. Go flex some more muscles and walk that extra mile should someone press you for service, and give to the one who asks of you and do not turn your back to the one who wants to borrow.
It is not cowardice, nor foolishness, nor being a loser. It is neither a false and outdated sense of martyrdom. It is not playing the "underdog" nor the "victim" card. It simply is a challenging way of being like The Boss.
And each time you might happen to enter a church or a sanctuary and fix a momentary gaze on the Cross at the apse or on any of its walls, think of it as a powerful reminder, that there was someone who once walked among us men, who in his pursuit of bringing us home, has lovingly walked THE EXTRA MILE.
