On the 7th Sunday after Epiphany, the Gospel of Matthew (5:38-48) gives us the familiar lesson from Jesus: “You have heard it said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
But how do we do that in the face of such bold and sometimes non-receptive enemies?
Retired Pastor Linda Milks, member of St. Mark congregation, preached today’s sermon. She used herself as the first example. She found herself responding fiercely on Facebook to someone whom she didn’t even know, telling him, with keys a-pounding, how wrong he was and how right she was about the particular topic. All of a sudden, she stopped “mid-rant”, and asked herself, “What am I doing?”
Today especially, we seem to be a divided country. We see protesters, and we see others protesting the protesters. It is becoming more and more difficult to listen to the others’ perspective. Yet in the midst of all the division, we hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Love your enemy.” Again, we struggle with how to do that. What would it actually look like?
Pastor Milks cited some very dramatic illustrations of people who have done this. They have not retaliated in vengeance for their hurt and suffering. But rather, they have “gone the second mile”, to show others the way of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.
To listen to the Gospel, sermon and rare examples of “loving your enemies”, click the audio below.