Tuesday 20 June 2023
2 Corinthians 8:1-9. Praise the Lord, my soul! – Psalm 145(146):2, 5-9. Matthew 5:43-48.
Pray for those who persecute you
Love your enemies. If we were to poll people, I am sure that this line would be among the most widely known of Jesus’ sayings. Unfortunately, familiarity doesn’t make it much easier to live out. Much of the time it is hard enough to love those who even mildly disagree with or inconvenience us, let alone those who seriously threaten us. I find it helps to notice that Jesus doesn’t command us not to have enemies. It also helps to be mindful that loving someone doesn’t mean being kind to them, but willing their good. To love an abuser for instance must include protecting those they endanger or have harmed. ‘Love’ that would allow someone to go on sinning so seriously is not love at all. We must want the good, including ultimately heaven, for even those hardest to love and where we can take steps to make this possible.
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