To you who hear I say,
love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
During time of war religions teach us to defend the nation and despise the enemy. Our enemies would raze our schools, churches and homes. They would destroy our roads and bridges, sewers, water mains and power grids. They would flatten our cities, pollute our rivers and poison our farms. They would kill our spouses, children and elderly. They would enslave us, destroying our freedom and security. Their values are diabolical; their intent is mischief.
We will not brook doubt about our righteousness. We cannot afford any hesitation about our cause. Even doubt about our strategy for victory is suspicious. We should uproot any potential sympathy for the enemy.
The wiser might admit the enemy is clever, perhaps even intelligent. They will urge us to deal shrewdly with our foes. But that admission may be like the camel's nose under the wall of the tent; the rest of him is coming in. Once we admit that the enemy is intelligent, we might admit that some of them have spouses and children. Some are poor people forced into the military and only trying to make it. Many of them only want peace and security, even if they must live under tyranny. They're like us.
Once we've admitted the enemy is like us, we may start to remember we didn't always hate the Chinese, North Koreans, Japanese, Germans or British. We share history with our enemies.
If the war continues more than a few weeks some of the news will be very disturbing. Some of our military act dishonorably. Some have pillaged, raped and slaughtered the defenseless. And some of our heroes have befriended the enemy. Soldiers far from home found girlfriends in occupied territory, and have children by them. The children could be American citizens; they're grandparents live next door!
A prolonged war becomes like marriage; once we're into it it's not easy to get out. The business that was suppose to be over in a few days stretches into months, years and decades. And we're not even sure who the enemy is anymore, much less what we're fighting for.
The religion that Jesus teaches always had its shortcomings. Sometimes his Christianity doesn't act like a religion. It doesn't hate the enemy; it reminds us that our motives are not pure. It reminds us of the future; sooner or later we will need our enemies and will make peace with them. His Spirit counsels temperance even when we combat evil.
The renegade David had an eye to the future as he dealt with his mortal foe, King Saul. If he would be king he should not murder the present king, especially in cold blood in the middle of the night. It sets a bad precedent. Many -- perhaps most -- kings, tyrants and dictators die by violence. King David died of old age in his own bed, surrounded by family and friends.
Jesus' teaching sounds radical. To some it's ridiculous. But it's really common sense. If we think about the past and the future and not just the emotions of the moment, we will try to contain the harm the enemy does as we restrain our own worst impulses. And always, with respect for "They are us."
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.