From Jim Forests new book: Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment Few passages in the Gospel are more familiar yet more ignored than this one: “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, so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even tax collectors do the same?” (Gospel of Matthew 5:43-46) Not everything Jesus taught must be regarded as a commandment. Counsels of absolute poverty or celibacy, for instance, have been seen as an option for a small minority of Christ’s followers. The same cannot be said about the love of enemies. This does not fall in the “if you would be perfect” category. It is, instead, basic Christianity, which Jesus taught through direct instruction, through parables, and by the example given with his own life. And yet it is undoubtedly the hardest commandment of all, one that runs counter to our natural inclinations. It is a commandment that calls for prayer, discernment, and constant practice. Along with reflections drawn from scripture, the lives of the saints, and modern history, Forest offers “nine disciplines of active love,” including “praying for enemies,” “turning the other cheek,” “forgiveness,” and “recognizing Jesus in others,” that make the love of enemies, if not an easier task, then a goal worth striving toward in our daily lives. Read the book’s first chapter here: jimandnancyforest/2014/07/changing-course/ Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment is due to be published by Orbis Books on September 10, 2014; pre-orders can be placed at bookshops and various online sites. Support your local book seller.
Posted on: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 12:58:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015