From Safari…..
At an Amish School in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, five young girls were killed by a man who eventually took his own life. A Grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls said of the killer on the day of the murder: “We must not think evil of this man.” Another community member said, “I don’t think there’s anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts.” And still another said, “We have to forgive. We have to forgive him in order for God to forgive us.”
And Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Leona Callen was beaten and murdered in her Akron, Ohio home. Ron and Carolyn Callen said, “When we moved to Michigan from the East Coast over 30 years ago, we felt proud to live in a state that had never had capital punishment. After Ron's mother was murdered in Ohio, a death penalty state, we felt the same firm opposition to the death penalty. When the case came to be prosecuted, Ron’s other brothers and their wives, independently voiced their support for our position, and we petitioned the county prosecutor not to seek capital punishment. We have always believed that no human has the right to take another's life. We could never condone such an act. Even Mother's horrible murder could not change that. In similar situations, so many people seem to focus exclusively on the terrible action of the murderer. But we firmly believe that the fundamental question is how we as a civilized society will act. To kill out of fear, hatred and retribution is to demean us all and ultimately to commit a second act of murder."
And Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who miss treat you.”
Jesus’ command is contrary to our basic human instinct. Our human instinct tells us our enemies are to be defeated. Beginning with Abraham, God intervenes and helps human see another way. The eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth principle, which flows from the commandments, was a means to bring some proportionate justice. But even this principle leaves the whole world blind and gumming its food. Jesus teaching in the gospel pushes us beyond reciprocity to imitating our God. By loving our enemies we can break the cycle of violence and retaliation and observe the golden rule as a way of life.
The challenge to imitate God’s example is of course beyond our unaided ability. Through the sacraments and prayer we receive the grace to be God like. Who are the enemies you need to love? Who are you unable to forgive? What grudge do you still hold?
Comments