Love your enemies. Lk 6,27

These three words present one of the most challenging challenges of the New Testament! It becomes even more demanding after Jesus explains how exactly we are to love our enemies. We should not only not harbor hatred toward people who hurt us, but we should show love to them actively and concretely. We are to “do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who despite fully use us” (cf. Lk 6, 27-28).

This command may seem impossible, even unfair. Why should we do good or bless people who have harmed or want to harm us? Because this is how God loves us! And when we do the same, “we will be sons of the Most High, for he is good even to the ungrateful and the bad” (Lk 6, 35). Jesus himself set a high bar in love: he loved even people who wanted to kill him. He even prayed for the people who crucified him and forgave them (23, 34). This is how Jesus loved his enemies; this is how he loved us.

During her service to the sick, Saint Catherine of Siena often felt God was prompting her to show love to her neighbors. More than once, some of the women she cared for got angry with her and treated her with hostility. However, despite their hurtful words, Katharina continued to nurse their wounds and care for them without complaining or defending themselves.

One of them, Ballerina, was so moved by Catherine’s love that she converted on her deathbed. So, how can you love your enemies? For example, by showing love to a family member who is always whining. Or by asking God to bless the person who slanders you. You can also ask God to heal someone sick, even though they have mistreated you. Whenever you do such things, you are loving like Jesus. What’s more, you become a channel of God’s grace that heals and washes away the poison of bitterness. It is not easy, but it is possible. Jesus poured his love into our hearts, and his love overcomes all.

Jesus, fill me with your love so I can love my enemies.