‘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
Some of the things Jesus directed his disciples to do, are some of the hardest things humans can do. It is so normal for us to hate the people who hate us, those who have tortured and hurt us, and those who have hurt those we love. We also enjoy imagining the destruction of those who have slighted us and pushed us out of the way. Enemies come in all forms. Yet Jesus persisted, over and over again, that we care called to love and forgive those who are hardest to love and to forgive. Even now, as you read this, those faces come to mind, don't they? Well, let them go, forgive them and love them, despite the hurt you feel. Oh, yes, it is so hard, and yet it is such a gift to let go of hate, to free ourselves from that anger that binds us and has held us for so long. Jesus knew that as we practiced loving the unlovable, as we let go, we would also be released to know greater love and forgiveness.
Great Creator, you made the world through love
no greater painter nor a sculptor could design
a more beautiful and enthralling landscape
this beautiful round earth that contains us all.
We find ourselves missing your great beauty
as we are bound up with anger and hate
we let those who hurt us live well in our heads
and we feed that hate and grow to hate ourselves.
Set us free, dear, Lord, so we might love again
help us to forgive those who have hurt us
help us love those who once were our enemies
so beauty and joy might flourish here again. Amen.
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