Thoughts for the Day

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Some years ago a huge Christian event was being held to retell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. There was to be a cast of 1,000 people, and it included camels, horses, and sheep. National publicity informed the interested that they would be able to "Discover how God can heal you, extend your life, and destroy your enemies!"

Now who wouldn't be interested in getting rid of their enemies if they could, after all even at school we learnt that unless we fight back we shall be seen as weak and others will pick on us even more. We don't need to be taught to retaliate for any hurt that someone gives us, it's an instinctive reaction. But this is the law of a fallen world.

Jesus teaches us in this the last passage of The Beatitudes (his 'Sermon on the Mount') that God's Kingdom is different, and though we live on the earth we are really citizens of Heaven. God's Kingdom is both here, but not yet completely here, and He invites us to try living a new way. It will be really difficult, because it means fighting our own selfish desires and impulses. But we need to see our lives through the lens of God's camera - we are to love all people, for God loved us even when we were wallowing in sin, He did not treat us as his enemies, but sent His Son, Jesus, to save us!

King of kings
and Lord of lords,
let us never forget that we are citizens of Your Kingdom,
and as such are called to live a new way -
the way of love -
and we are to be perfect.
Help us to fight against instinctive reactions
and selfish desires when others hurt us.
May we continue to grow into the people
You would have us be in Your Kingdom.
Amen.