TGIMMsomebody

	BEGINNING WITH LOVE OF ENEMIES

The Gospel

MATTHEW 5:43-47

Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?"

The Media -- "Somebody That I Used to Know" (Gotye featuring Kimbra)

"So when we found that we could not make sense; well, you said that we would still be friends. But you didn’t have to cut me off, make out like it never happened and that we were nothing; and I don’t even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough. No, you didn’t have to stoop so low. Now you’re somebody that I used to know."

If there is one doctrine that sets Christianity apart from other major religions, it would probably be "love of enemies." Jesus makes it clear that we must not only tolerate or put up with those who dislike us, but we must love them. No other religious leader has ever said that; it is a totally unique doctrine. And it is likewise well documented in history and even in the present day that Christians have not followed this doctrine as well as they should have.

But it makes sense if we are to make any progress in our messed-up world. Someone, somewhere must break the vicious circle of hate and retaliation. Someone must stop the evil, and instead of responding in the same evil way we were treated, simply begin again in love. If one begins with true love of enemies, such a one will not want to hurt anyone for what they have done.

Speaking especially in the context of romantic love development, our human natures tend to react the way the couple in Gotye and Kimbra's song react. They wanted to break up and remain friends--a Christian way of behavior--but because of the hurt, they did not leave it alone. They let their hurt be known, and one thing led to another. The result was something akin to hatred, and certainly not love.

There will be difficulties in life, usually caused by other people whether we consider them to be "enemies" or not. We know that. Jesus has told us that we must respond to those difficulties with love, even though we would much rather justify our feelings by "getting back" at someone in some way. Even on a natural level, such retaliation only makes matters worse. It is no wonder that Jesus gave the spiritual directive to love enemies or those who do not like us. Perhaps we must adopt the attitude of beginning every reaction with others, even enemies, with love.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son gave us your doctrine of love, and especially love of enemies. If we would follow it, our world would be so much better. But we tend to allow our sinful human natures to control what we do. Give us the grace to learn love in every circumstance. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: There are difficulties in life, but we must learn to work with them in a Christian way.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
[See the meditation on The Script's song "Nothing" for another use of the Scripture passage.]
1. Love of enemies is not only a good Christian directive; it is also a good way to live in the world. Why is this statement true?
2. Jesus gives the foundation of "love of enemies" to be the fact that we are all God's creation. What keeps people from accepting such a belief?
3. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, treats love of enemies in numbers 1822ff, 2303 and 2844. Outline a presentation on the topic.
4. Do you believe that most couples choose to "be friends" after the breakup? Yes or no and why?
5. Text analysis: "We found that we could not make sense." Explain the meaning of the statement.
6. Do you believe that most breakups end the way the song describes them? Yes or no and why?
7. Do you believe that Christians really try to follow Jesus' doctrine of "love of enemies"? Yes or no and why?
8. Name some instances that you are aware of in which Christians did not follow the doctrine of "love of enemies" in the past.
9. Name an obvious case of "revenge" that you know of in history.
10. What is the philosophical reason why "revenge" feels so good in our human natures?
11. What does the song "Somebody That I Used to Know" teach young people?

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike