‘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 5:43-48
My family hosted the bicycle parade in our little town for over forty years. Everyone ended up on our front lawn for refreshments. Neighbors, friends and strangers all gathered together to celebrate. We sometimes had upwards to 500 bicycles riders and their families gathered with us. My Dad was a Navy Chaplain, and we all celebrated with gusto. The commitment to justice, equality and freedom was so very important. Today, I am not sure how to celebrate. I love this nation and this land, but my heart breaks when I see folks mistreated and imprisoned just for wanting a better life. We seem to be hurting our neighbors, seeking our perfection rather than God's. God perfection is found in love, a love that does not seek to destroy perceived enemies but rather loves those who the world hates.
Loving Creator, perfect author of perfect love
you call us to love those who are hard to love
and make a place for the alien and stranger
treating all of creation as our true relations.
We enjoy too much the vilification of enemies
we enjoy distrusting our neighbors and strangers
we forget to love as you have called us to love
and in so doing move far away from your heart.
Help us to return to love on this Independence Day
give us the resolve to accept others as you do
make us humble and always forgiving of difference
as you have loved us all in our vast and wonderful diversity. Amen.
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