Love of Enemies from A Healing Rosary

From my book, A Healing Rosary, a look at the virtue of love of enemies associated with The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – The Crucifixion.

Jesus said, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” (Matthew 5:44-46) And, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:28)

It is crucial to understand that love is not a feeling.  Love is an act of the will. To love another is to have their welfare and well being at heart.  It is to will them goodness and good things always. 

Loving our enemies is blessing them with mercy and forgiveness even if they hate us, desire to harm us or wish evil upon us.  It is striving to go against our natural inclination to become angry or vengeful, bitter, resentful or spiteful and choosing to be life giving and merciful, loving even when it feels like it is impossible to do so.  Love of enemies is not an ideal we strive for, but rather a way of life that we choose because we are commanded to it.   Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27)

A large part of loving our enemies is forgiving them and choosing not to harbor hatred or resentment against them.  Jesus chose to forgive His enemies when he said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)  We can choose to forgive, too.  That doesn’t mean we will forget what has been done to us, but that we have chosen to love and not bear anger or resentment against another.  Remember, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)

Forgiveness can begin with saying within our hearts and minds, “I choose to forgive _____ for _____.”  Later, it may become words spoken directly to that person, a phone call, or a letter written to them extending forgiveness.  How far you go with forgiving depends on you.  There may be circumstances that make it impossible or dangerous for you to physically forgive someone.  In those situations write a letter, read it to yourself, offer it to God then burn it.  When choosing how far you are willing to go to forgive, remember how far Jesus went to forgive you.

And what if you are your own worst enemy?  Are you willing to love yourself and forgive yourself as God loves and forgives you, completely?