Teachings of Jesus in Luke: Loving your enemies

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ~ Luke 6:27-28
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~ attributed to Rev. John Watson (aka Ian MacLaren) 

I want to be clear that praying for those who abuse you is not the same thing as accept abuse from someone.

 And loving your enemies is not the same thing as liking them, or hanging out with them.

 Jesus here is using love as a verb: love, do good, bless, pray.

 Love. Do good. Bless. Pray.

 Be kind.

 Loving as a verb isn't a warm, fuzzy feeling.

 Loving as a verb is hard work. Being kind is hard work. It's action oriented and persistent. 

 It doesn't mean being a doormat for someone.

 It means that for the person who treats YOU as a doormat, you show another way.

 Sometimes someone is our "enemy" because we just don't like them. Maybe they didn't harm us, but maybe we find their politics or belief system repugnant. Maybe we find them bossy or crass. 

 Our former Synodical Bishop, Claire Burkat, frequently paraphrased the quote from John Watson.

 Everyone - even our enemies - is fighting a battle that you know absolutely nothing about.

 We don't get to see behind the curtain.

 So, be kind. Love those who dislike you or those you dislike or even those you fear.

 It's hard work. But it is possible.

 And it can change the world. 
Prayer: Grant me patience and fortitude to love and be kind to everyone. And help those who dislike me, show me a little love as well! Amen









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