Returning Love for Hate

I have heard that former Boston Red Sox Hall-of-Fame third baseman Wade Boggs hated Yankee Stadium, not because of the Yankees; but because of one particular Yankee fan. There was a man who had a box seat close to the field, and whenever the Red Sox were in town, he would shout obscenities and insults at Boggs. It’s hard to imagine one fan getting under the skin of a seasoned player, but this guy sure had a way of doing it!

One day as Boggs was warming up, the fan launched into his usual tirade. When he’d had enough, Boggs walked directly over to him and said, ‘Hey fella, are you the guy who’s always yelling at me? The man replied, ‘Yeah, it’s me. What are you going to do about it?’ Wade took a new baseball out of his pocket, autographed it, tossed it to the man, and went back to the field to his pre-game routine. Consequently, the man never yelled at Boggs again. In fact, he became one of Wade’s biggest fans at Yankee Stadium.

I love that story. It reminds me that when we respond to hatred with love, that love changes things. It may or may not actually change the other person, but it certainly changes us.

Let us pray: God of new beginnings, we pray today for those who might call themselves our enemies. We lift them up to your love and care. Open our hearts to them. We do ask you to rescue us from any abusive situations, but if it is safe, open our eyes to see ways in which we might show them love and kindness. As we share in your will, may we experience again your renewing grace. Amen.