A Better Way … to Love Your Enemies

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Luke. For those looking for spiritual guidance in how to live in these turbulent and polarized times, Jesus’ advice may seem either naïve or simply impossible.

At least he does not pretend that we don’t have enemies, or suggest that conflict with one’s neighbor can be avoided altogether.  

But how practical is his directive to “love your enemies?” It all depends on what “love” means in this context. 

Most of us simply dismiss this command from Jesus because we find it virtually impossible to feel positively about those with whom we disagree, those who revile and undermine us, or those for whom we have little respect and no admiration.  

The great divide in America at this moment in our history is about the role of democracy in our country’s life, and whether or not that democracy is going to survive. Accompanying that divide is a disdain — perhaps even a dismissal — of those on the “other side” who are (at best) wrong and (at worst) dangerous, even evil.  

What could Jesus have possibly meant by telling us to “love” them?  

Perhaps “loving” in this context has nothing to do with “liking” or feeling positive toward the object of our disaffection. Jesus isn’t asking us to agree with our enemies or even to have them over for a beer.  

Instead, perhaps Jesus is insisting — nay, commanding — that while we are disagreeing, resisting, and opposing those whom we perceive to be dangerously and morally wrong, we treat them like the children of God that they are.  

In our baptismal vows, we pledge always to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Jesus challenges us to fight with them, but never “below the belt.” To disagree, but never demean their humanity or act cruelly, dismissively or with malice. Instead, our challenge is to disagree with them, oppose them, resist them — all while remembering that they are my siblings in Christ and to treat them like the children of God they are. 

Maybe we can do that! 

 

A Prayer for Loving Your Enemies:    

Oh God, the Creator and Parent to us all:  

I give you thanks and praise for creating each of us in your image, and through your Son Jesus Christ, redeeming the human family and calling us to be brothers and sisters to one another.   

Help me believe that you love them as much as you love me, and to remember that because you love them, you call me to love them, especially when I don’t like them.   

Remind me that we are all siblings in the human family, and that you call me to discover and respect the inherent dignity that abides in those I think of as “other,” even when I disagree with them, dislike them or fear them. God, help me to love “them” anyway.   

In all things, give me the loving heart of your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.