Mar 15, 2015 filed under Love.

Here’s the secret: we don’t love our enemies as enemies, we love them as our brothers and sisters. We can do this by taking the long view, by turning up the “God channel” and turning down the “me channel.” Our ultimate good is God, not other people. If we concentrate on what we have in common with someone who has hurt us, or remember some kindness they have shown, we can “look above the clouds” of unpleasantness to at least be civil to them. Sometimes not hurting them back is as far as we can go to “love” them. But as with all virtue, practice makes it easier.

Saint Francis of Assisi said, “No one is to be called your enemy. All are your benefactors and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.” We may, in fact, have enemies. But Francis points out that if we are able to keep our friendship with God strong while enduring pain, we become stronger in virtue, so the pain leads to a benefit.

That doesn’t mean we should go out of our way to be mistreated or put up with abuse. But there are plenty of times when people hurt us without meaning to. And we often hurt others when an old hurt we’ve been hiding comes to the surface. By carrying old wounds, we damage our relationship with others and with God.

Francis could have been thinking of the man in Second Samuel who called out to King David as he passed by, throwing stones and calling him a murderer. When the King’s men asked whether they should lop off the guy’s head, David told them, “What business is it of yours or mine…that he curses? Suppose the Lord has told him to curse me.”

In other words, some of the most hurtful words people say are beneficial because they’re true! The hurt enables us to admit to ourselves that there’s room for improvement in some area that we’ve been shielding. If we’re protecting a resentment or unresolved anger, it is certainly hurting others.

From this point of view, all are indeed our benefactors.

2 Responses to “Love Your Enemies”

  1. George

    I think Rose is right on target when she says “Turn down the “Me” channel”. In support of that, here is a quote from one of my favorite books.

    “Anyone can become angry – that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in a right way – this is not easy.”
    — Aristotle, from the Nicomachean Ethics

    Indeed, it is not easy to turn down the “me channel”. A few thoughts —

    The right person –Is the target of your anger an important person in your life? If not, then perhaps your anger stems from your pride – the “Me Channel” in full force. Your option – walk away from the person, and use your anger to learn more about yourself.

    The right degree – (I would paraphrase by calling this area “the right reason”) Is the source of your anger attacking your core values and very definition of your life view and purpose? Or is it merely attacking the way you like something to be? In the first case, react carefully, and with vigor; in the latter, explain and more on.

    At the right time – Foolish words are spoken in haste. Engage your introspective self before casting your anger into the concrete of words and actions.

    In the right way – I cannot improve on Rose’s opening words –“Here’s the secret: we don’t love our enemies as enemies, we love them as our brothers and sisters.” Remember that there is not a living soul for whom God’s grace is permanently withheld. It is not for you to speak for God – to do so is a grave sin. Toward the sources of your anger, follow the Oath of Hippocrates –

    “Above all, do no harm.” Circa 400 BC