“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
“Do not be too quick to assume your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy because he thinks you are a savage. Or perhaps he is afraid of you because he feels that you are afraid of him. And perhaps if he believed you were capable of loving him he would no longer be your enemy. Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is an enemy of God just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy precisely because he can find nothing in you that gives glory to God. Perhaps he fears you be cause he can find nothing in you of God’s love and God’s kindness and God’s patience and mercy and understanding of the weaknesses of men. Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God, for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice, your mediocrity and materialism, your sensuality and selfishness that have killed his faith.”
Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation (Abbey of Gethsemani, 1961) 177. Special thanks to my dear brother Bill Crowe for sharing this reading with me. It sent me back to this classic book I have in digital form on my laptop.
As we engage in program work today, we have paused to pray texts like Psalm 2 and Psalm 67. In a world where nations are rising up against one another with military might, we are asking God for Belize. We wish not to take it by force, but by calling God’s stewards to live in light of His love, faithfulness, and generosity.
Remarkably, God has granted us great favor, on this, our first visit to this small country. John Roomes, Ereny Monir, and I will be guests on public television, on the show, Good Morning Belize. Our visit made big news. We also have meetings with many pastors and minisry workers.
Then later today and tomorrow, we will lead a group of influencers through the onsite JOE (Journey of Empowerment) experience. For today’s part, we will remind everyone of two lessons: “You matter!” and “You are part of something bigger.” The bigger story unfolding around us is God can work through each of us so our faith impacts others.
Merton touches on this. Especially the negative side of it. The people who are not like us may be the way they are because we have not incarnated the message of love and kindness that the world needs. We have not imitated the generosity and service that draws people to faith. No wonder Jesus said to love our enemies.
God’s desire with this command is our maturity or perfection. Father, cause your love, kindness, patience, and mercy to flow through us and engage a broken world, transform us and others by your Spirit in the process so that a movement of faithfulness spreads and turns enemies into friends. Hear this prayer we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.