Sharing something I found in my email inbox today.
From the Fifth Chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew:
I am telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.
This is what God does. God gives God's best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.
If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
V. The Word of the Lord
R. Happy Valentines Day!
3 comments:
Wow, Father Tom, this was amazing--an answer to a problem I've been mulling over all week. It's one of those reminders that Christianity is really hard, but could really changed the world if people practiced it the right way.
Thanks for giving me something to think and pray over. Peace!
Loving your enemies, truly loving them, is the hardest thing Christ asks me to do. It is so easy to hate, so effortless to dismiss, disparage, disengage. It is so difficult to invite, encourage, engage. Love, the most beautiful emotional/spiritual gift that God gave us, is ironically the most difficult to fully realize. It is hard to give love; sometimes, it is even harder to accept love.
Very interesting topic..
and one that brings to mind a situation i had years back.
I worked with a woman and we just didnt seem to get along !
we were like oil and water.
i found her impossible..and im sure she thought i was too! lol
we butted heads...we steamrolled each other...perhaps we antagonized each other with our insecurities ..needing to win..needing to feel powerful.
There was no way i was leaving my job..and there was no sign of her leaving either.
Each day i dreaded another anticipated confrontation and locking of horns!
I knew i could not work under this continous strife..and tension, and decided to try a different approach to her .
i backed off..i was nicer to her..
i pushed myself to be patient.
to not engage ..and to let her feel more in control..and i didnt have to "win".
strangely , as time went by..we started to get along...and believe it or not.. within a couple of months..we got along better than ever..and became the best of friends!! i kid you not! this is a true story..
She then left , took early retirement to travel around ..often coming back to visit the office and she became like a surrogate mom to me..very close..and we kept in touch by phone too.
Out of everyone at the job..it evolved to she and I were closest of all.
Then one day...not too long after a visit...i got a call from her son..that she had died of an infection she picked up on her travels.
i was heartbroken and felt truly
devestated by the sudden loss.
I went to her funeral..and was so happy that we had made amends..found peace for a few years together..as friends..
became so close ..and that the last time i saw her it was so happy and loving .
Her family validated that for me as well when i saw them telling me she loved me dearly.
So much depends upon our own behavior and how we interact ...
I realized i had the key to help change the whole dynamic between us..
i let it begin with ME..
still miss her..
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