Loving our Enemies

     I have been deeply disturbed by all of the rhetoric this week associated with the possibility of an Islamic Center being built close to the site of the 9/11 tragedy.  Most disturbing has been the call to have a “Qur’an burning,” by the pastor and his small church in Florida.  Such a response represents the antithesis of Christlike living.  I am grateful, however, that at least for now, there has been a hold on such a response.
    What has been most interesting for me, however, and the hidden blessing in the midst of so many varied opinions and emotions, is that such controversy has sparked conversations which so often do not happen.  There are folks speaking about religious and faith matters who normally would simply let the conversations of the world dominate their thoughts, words, and deeds.  But all this week, not just politicians and the media, but people on all levels and from all backgrounds, have come to the table to share their thoughts.
    Some of the conversations have been heated and some have sought resolution.  Some have stirred up dormant wounds, while others have revealed that progress, and even forgiveness, has been made.  Some conversations have opened the mouths of the silent, and some have shut the mouths of the dominant.  In the midst of the push and pull, the wrestles, and the disjointed nature of such volatile subject matter, we’re seeing God at work.

    As the week and the discussions have progressed I have found myself remembering the call ofChrist to “love our enemies.”  In both the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6), Jesus says, “You’ve heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies,’ but I say, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute (do good to those who hurt) you.’”
    Such a call is horribly difficult, and much of what has been stirred up by this controversy has been the raw emotion of having been attacked by an enemy.  Mix that emotion with the human bent toward revenge, and that there are few Christians who hear and desire to live out this truth, especially when faced with such realities, and one has a formula for disaster.  And yet, Jesus tells us to love our enemies, even pray for and do good to them.
    In trying to bring together the disturbing truths of this week’s events and the disturbing call from Christ, what I see emerging is that: 1) Love is never easy.  2) Love begins with an attitude of openness and respect.  3) Love is able to make a way, when there seems to be no way.  4) As Paul says, “Love has no end.”  The challenge is that love for us, does not seem to be enough sometimes.  However, Christ’s love is able to accomplish anything, including loving our enemies when it seems impossible.

    As I have conversations with those around me and as I watch the news and hear the commentaries and opinions, there has been a shift from raw anger and misinterpretation of intention on all sides, to an ability to sit down and share.  Share time revealing our deepest thoughts and opinions, but also recognizing that, though the issue may never be resolved as we may wish, we can walk away having been changed, if just a little, because of the discussion.
    Seems to me, that’s what Jesus was trying to teach us when he said, “Love your enemies.”  In fact, I believe that’s where such love begins, and if we are willing to sit down and share respectfully, listen for God’s voice in the midst of the sharing, and trust in God, then maybe we’ll be blessed to catch a glimpse of like God’s “Peaceable Kingdom,” among us.

Where am I being called to love my enemies?  Is there some person or situation which I’m avoiding because it is just too volatile or painful?  What would happen if I asked God to help me deal with this head on, so that love could be realized?