Love Thy Enemies

A number of years ago now, there was an article in the newspaper about the burial of one of the Boston Marathon’s terrorists. Apparently, authorities had an extremely difficult time finding a location to bury this man. No one would accept the body. A woman named Martha Mullen heard about the dilemma and worked hard to find a burial plot for this man. When she was asked why she would ever do something so kind for this horrible person, her reply was simple: “Jesus told us to love our enemies.”

What a beautiful witness to Jesus’ teaching. 

Jesus did not teach us to join or condone our enemy’s actions. No. But he did say we are to love them. Hate has a way of making the world a little uglier, and it corrodes the soul. But love… love reflects the beauty and nature of Almighty God. 

At the very heart and center of the Gospel are God’s love and forgiveness. When our hearts are open enough to receive and share these gifts, we can be sure we are near to the heart of God. 

Let us pray: Loving God, it is so very difficult to love our enemies. We don’t want to condone terrible acts of violence and hate. But we also know how our own hatred only hardens the soul and darkens the world. Open us again to your undeserved grace, forgiveness, and love. May we recognize these gifts that you have so graciously given to us, and may they be ours to share with this world that is so desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.