LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; Luke 6:27-38 - 7th Sunday after Epiphany, February 20, 2022
Pastor Ritva H Williams
Last Sunday during our adult learning hour, Pastor Keeyon Carter led us through an exercise called “know your circle.” We were asked to jot down the names of our ten closest friends and/or mentors. We were not allowed to include family members. Then Pastor Keeyon told us to examine our lists looking for any patterns. The persons on my list are mostly first or second generation immigrants from Europe, well-educated, Lutheran or Jewish, engaged in education, church work, and/or political advocacy. The major exception is my 6th grade teacher who, spent his early childhood with his parents in an internment camp for Japanese immigrants to Canada. He was a man of science, and a man of faith. He once described me as an example of “perfect laziness” because I did every task assigned to me correctly so that I could spend as much time as possible reading books.
The point of the “know your circle exercise” was to demonstrate that humans tend to associate with others who are of similar type, interest, personality and so forth. As one very ancient proverb puts it, “birds of a feather flock together.” This tendency makes for congenial dinner parties, but can also result in labeling persons outside our circle in negative, judgmental ways. In today’s Gospel lesson Jesus invites us to be and do better than that.
Jesus states plainly how we get stuck in this rut. We love people we think are lovable, meaning those who love us back. We gladly do good to people who do good to us. We lend and give only when we can get something out of it for ourselves. And we expect to get a pat-on-the-back for our loving, helping, giving ways. Jesus says, every run-of-the-mill, garden variety does exactly these things. Jesus invites his disciples to do and be better than that.
Yes it is true that human beings are sinners, but it is also true that all humans are saints-in-the-making. Every person without exception is created in the image of the God, uniquely gifted to make a positive difference in their world. Through their relationship with the Lord, humans have what it takes to be and do better which is why Jesus tells his followers, ancient and modern, love your enemies.
Love your enemies. Three little words that need some unpacking. Who are our enemies? How can we possibly love them? Jesus says we only love those who love us. Could it be that our “enemies” are people who don’t, won’t, or can’t love us? Jesus says that we only help those who help us? Could it be that our “enemies" are people who don’t, won’t, or can’t help us? We lend and give only to those who pay us back? Could it be that our “enemies” are people who don’t, won’t can’t pay us back? Could it be that our “enemies” are simply people who are not part of our circle? Could our “enemies” be people who are simply different from us? Could our “enemies” be people who don’t want to be like us, or who can’t be like because of things beyond their control?
This morning, I’m hearing Jesus invite us to expand the circle of people we regard as beloved friends. I’m hearing Jesus call us to we love people who are different, who are strangers, who are “other,” who we have been trained to think of as enemies. But how do we “love” our enemies? What does that mean? What does that look and feel like?
As one biblical commentator explains:
The word used here for love, agape in Greek, does NOT mean romantic love, liking, or even friendship. Agape love is whole-hearted, unreserved, unconditional desire for the well-being of the other. Nothing is held back. There is no hesitation. No calculation of costs and benefits. No expectation of receiving anything in return. No pay offs. There is only total desiring for the well-being of the other for their own good. Oddly, this might also mean you might not like the other. Might oppose some of their behaviors. Might speak and act against some of what they stand for. But if you agape your enemies, the ways you express your dislike and opposition will always also express your total desiring of their well-being (David Ewert, holytextures.com)
As I was preparing for this morning, I chanced upon a blog by Pastor Mark Davis, who confessed that for him, “The challenge of preaching this text … is to find a way of reconciling my own zero tolerance policy for abuse with Jesus’ zero tolerance policy for vengeance.” (D. Mark Davis, leftbehindandlovingit.blogspot.com). That was an aha moment for me. Jesus has a zero tolerance policy for vengeance. Loving your enemy means no revenge.
In our reading from Psalm 37 we see that God also has a zero tolerance policy for vengeance. This poem speaks to and for oppressed people who have been robbed of their lands and livelihood. They have a just cause for reparations. The psalmist encourages them to be patient and trust God, refrain from anger and fretting. Instead they are to focus on doing good, being generous, caring for each other now with an eye to the future.
Jesus gives similar instructions to his disciples, along with examples of what agape love looks like in practice. Do good to others, treat them with respect and dignity, care for their well-being, even if they hate you. Bless and speak well of others, even if they curse you. Pray for abusive people. Don’t seek revenge, but don’t be a doormat for continued abuse either.
In the world of Jesus, a back-handed slap on the cheek was delivered by your owner, master, or some male superior. It was an insult designed to put you down, to remind you of your inferiority. Turning the other cheek and looking the slapper in the eye was a way of saying, “Take me seriously, look at me, I am somebody. I am your equal.” It was active resistance. When a soldier or tax collector took your cloak — the outer garment that also functioned as your nighttime blanket — Jesus said give them your inner tunic too. Stand tall, and let your nakedness bear witness to the injustice that is being visited upon you. According to biblical law it was illegal to take a person’s cloak as down payment or to pay off a debt. (John Petty, progressiveinvolvement.com). No revenge, but active non-violent resistance to the bullies of this world.
Jesus calls us to be and do better by treating every person everywhere and always as we would like them to treat us with mercy, compassion, and generosity.
To love our enemies is to love like Jesus abundantly, inclusively, without prejudice, steadfastly. To love like Jesus is to go good, speak well, and give generously to ensure the well-being of our neighbors. Here at St Stephen’s our mission is rooted in Jesus’ commandment: “Just as I have agaped you, you should agape one another” (John 13:34). We seek to know, live and share that agape love with all people, especially with those of different ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, social or financial status, physical or mental ability. In other words we are trying to love like Jesus.
Next Sunday we will vote on whether to move ahead with Phase II of A Place for Everyone — All Are Welcome building renovation project. This morning you get to meet architects Jorge Lopez and Gary Landhauser, and the general contractor Jim Unzeitig. This project emerges from our commitment to love like Jesus by removing the obstacles that stand in the way of the full participation of persons with disabilities. This is one area where we can do better.
Please pray with me in these words adapted from our hymn of the day, Build a Longer Table, lyrics by David Bjorlin.
Good and gracious God, help us build a longer table, not a higher wall, feeding those who hunger, making room for all; feasting together, stranger turns to friend, and false divisions end.
Christ’s love protects all people, sparing no expense. Help us embrace your compassion, let go our fear so that none will be excluded, all will be welcome here, and make it their home. Amen.
