Reading 11
Love your enemies
The reading
Matthew 5:38-48
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
The companions
Psalm 37:1-11 (selected)
Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this: he will make your righteousness go out as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing. But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
The note
None of these are passive. Turning the other cheek is a move. So is walking the second mile, and handing over the cloak as well as the coat. In each case the person who was supposed to absorb something does something unexpected instead, deliberately, and the script breaks.
This is not compliance. It is refusing the terms while staying in the room.
The reason given is meteorological. God’s sun comes up on bad people. Rain falls on the unjust. Provision is indiscriminate, and you are told to run on the same terms.
Then the line that cuts. If you love the people who love you, what is that worth? Even the tax collectors manage it. Reciprocity is the floor, not an achievement.
The instruction is not to feel warmly about your enemy. It is to act toward him the way the weather does.
This week
Name one person you would rather not think about. A colleague, an ex, an account that ruined your month. Do not work on your feelings about them; that is not the assignment and it will stall. Do one thing this week that serves them concretely and that they may never find out about.
The fair reference. The accurate summary in a room they are not in. The bug reported instead of enjoyed. Then go back to work.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain). The divine name is rendered “the LORD” in the companions.
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