Love Your Enemies: The Forgiveness Dare

Modern Catholic Mom ^

[CondoleezzaProtege]

This Lent, I decided to do something different. I decided it was time to start working on loving my enemies: both past and present.

I was inspired by the words of Cardinal Robert Sarah in his book The Power of Silence:

“The devil invites mankind to rebellion and disorder…he sows discord and incites us to pour out our hatred upon each other…(but God) teaches us to pray for our enemies. He constantly murmurs, ‘The disciples of my beloved Son have no enemies. Your heart must not have enemies either.'”

Cardinal Sarah The words, “Your heart must not have enemies either” were especially challenging to me.

The dialogue began, “Really, Lord, no enemies?”

What about (fill-in-the blank?) surely you weren’t talking about that guy? Surely he deserves my hatred. And don’t get me started on (fill-in-the-blank) surely she deserves to be hated for what she did!”

But as I prayed, it seemed more clear than ever. Nope, not even that guy and not even that girl. Ugh!

In fact, I would dare say that if you want to know the root of all your sadness and sickness and bitterness in life, just tell me who your enemies are, and you will have your answer.

There is a deep connection between holding back forgiveness from others and our ability to be set free from our own sinfulness and burdens in life.

Don’t take my word for it. Jesus makes it very clear:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15 Loving your enemies is your path to becoming more like Christ. It is your path to freedom.

But it’s not easy.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Happy Lent.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I have often thought, and said, Forgiveness is the most powerful thing. It heals both the giver and receiver.

[Bigg Red]

Thanks for posting this.