Today in the book In Caelo et in Terra, we read about St Peregrine Laziosi. As a young man, he was part of a faction in Italy that was outspokenly against the pope. When a priest came to town to try to work toward reconciliation, Peregrine flew into a rage and smacked him in the face. Instead of retaliating, the priest literally turned so that Peregrine could strike his other cheek. This literal practice of Jesus's teaching had the desired effect. Peregrine repented of his behavior and joined the Servites (the order that the priest belonged to who had turned the other cheek.)
Later in life, Peregrine suffered from cancer of the leg. He prayed for hours the night before he was to have his leg amputated. He saw Jesus in a vision come down from the cross and heal his leg. The next day his leg was miraculously well. He gained some fame in that part of Italy because of this healing, but he remained humble and helped to serve the poor. You can read more about him here.
Have you taken Jesus at His word today? From literally turning the other cheek to believing that He can heal our wounds, our story today is full of believing Him and being rewarded. How is He calling you to believe Him today?
God, thanks for the great example St Peregrine gave us of taking You at Your word. St Peregrine of Laziosi, pray for us.
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