Love Your Enemies

 “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.' But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43-44‬ ‭CPDV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/42/mat.5.43-44.cpdv

This is a tall order because it goes against the feelings of animosity to those we do not like.  Generally, the human body is designed to avoid pain.  If something or someone is causing pain, the natural inclination is to move away from its source.  There is avoidance of suffering if pain is mitigated, diminished, managed or controlled.

There is another way to look at pain and suffering that is redemptive.  We embrace pain and suffering and offer it as an emblem of our spiritual nature and our kinship to the suffering of Jesus at the cross.  Suffering is offered to God.

When we love even those who hate us, God transforms our human pain and suffering into mercy.  From this mercy, love that is beyond emotions is truly expressed.

Oh Lord my God how often should I forgive my brother who has wronged me?  It is your command and your desire to make everyone an instrument of mercy and love.  Help me to be a source of this grace.  Change my heart and mind to love even those who hate me and persecute me.  Help me to willingly go through pain in union with Christ’s suffering on the cross.   Jesus I trust in you.