Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:38-48
Love Your Enemies
Dear God of every tribe and nation
we separate ourselves from one another
start wars over territory, money and power
yet you love every one us all the same.
Some see the virus as the people's enemy
others claim our government is at fault
you see us as beloved children and weep
as we fail to work together for a cure.
Help us to lean in to this time of panic
to see it as an invitation to new love
a time of peeling away all our differences
so that we might be brothers and sisters all.
Help us to use the fear as true learning
make of students in the school of compassion
break our hearts of bitterness and anxiety
and instill that love which binds all wounds. Amen
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