Saturday, March 7
Matthew 5:43-48. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for God makes the sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
| I have no real
personal enemies – at least that I know of. But as a life-long peace and human rights
advocate, I often feel intense anger at those who wantonly bring suffering to others:
corporate criminals, war-mongers, torturers, leaders who put power and wealth above
the well-being of their own people. Then I must remind myself that though it is OK
to hate their deeds and values – indeed love of the Good may require it – I must
refrain from hating the person. Why? Because the hate corrodes the soul, breeds
violence, and drags us down to their level. And because they too are children of
God, made in God’s own image. Jesus understood this so deeply. But is it really
possible to be “perfect” as God is in God’s agape – love for all? So far I fail
almost every day. But I am still trying, learning and re-learning to love and forgive,
and to respect the essential personhood of all. Someday, with a little help, I may
get there. - Vince Kavaloski, Professor, Chair of Philosophy Department |