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On this day in 2001, John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, punched a protester who threw an egg at him during a visit to North Wales.  Public opinion at the time was divided.  Some people complained that a political figure should show more restraint and dignity than to get into a brawl by fighting aggression with aggression.  Others said it was only an instinctive reaction to being assaulted, and any other red-blooded male would have done the same.  The idea of ‘turning the other cheek’ is not one that generally caught on among the followers of Christ.  Christians have done their fair share of slaughtering their enemies down the ages, and Christian theology has shown itself ambivalent about the morality or otherwise of war.  But there’s no doubt that the forgiveness of enemies and peaceful resistance to violence are some of the strongest hallmarks of Christian belief and behaviour.  Forgiveness of others when they’ve hurt or angered us can demand immense strength of character.  It’s hard to forgive.  We can pardon injuries when we’re able to find excuses for them, but forgiving others from the heart is another matter entirely.  Embedded in the one prayer that Jesus taught us is the petition that God should forgive us as we forgive others.  This seems to leave us little choice if we want our own sins to be forgiven.  The promise is that God will give us the courage and generosity to forgive.  The challenge is that we have to ask for it.Lord Jesus, you taught us to forgive all injuries.  Widen our hearts and minds so that we can make room in our lives for the seeds of your forgiving love to grow and bear fruit.  Amen.