Like all of Jesus’ commands, the idea that one is to love one’s enemies is not intended to stifle our authentic selves, compromise our humanity, or limit our freedom. Rather, the notion that one can look with love upon those who do not share our conviction is meant to ‘give us life, and life more abundantly.’

It has been said that the leading cause of mental illness is unforgiveness. My favorite definition is that unforgiveness is like drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die. We do well to understand the harmful effects of harboring resentments, including the hatred of our enemies. Mario Puzo said, ‘Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgment.’ Hate can make us into bitter people. It can contribute to no ends to our anxiety and stress. It can take us far off course of our life-quest, ‘to love one another as Christ loves us.’

After all, you and I were created to love. We find our highest and best fulfillments and pleasures in showing love to others. When we love we touch our deepest selves. Of course it’s counter-cultural – everything that taps into our higher source is – and that’s just it: hating panders to our lower selves. And that is not where deep fulfillment lies.

Who is our enemy? What will it take to love them? It may start with a pledge not to hate them for 2 hours. It may never get any farther than our hope, one day, to pray for them. But the sooner we decide to go down this road the sooner we will be able to embrace the wholeness Jesus has for us.

Reading

Do the Work - Steven Pressfield

Alexander Hamilton – Ron Chernow

Switch – Dan and Chip Heath