Tag Archives: Loving Enemies

Plunder

Epiphany

January 21, 2020

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.

I must admit describing rejoicing as how people exult when dividing plunder would not have been my pick as a metaphor. It probably does describe well jumping with joy when unexpectedly gaining something desired or even needed. It does not deal with that something being taken is the spoils of war.

A lot of novels have been published recently about the World War II, I guess because its 75th anniversary was observd a few years ago. Plunder was practiced even to the extent of removing gold teeth fillings from those who died or were killed in consecration camps. There is a big difference between celebrating an abundant harvest resulting from a lot of hard work and positive weather and celebrating what can be taken from people either displaced or killed. How do we remove the rod of oppressors without becoming oppressors ourselves?

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, help us learn how to deal with oppressors in ways that protect all and refocus oppressive behavior toward positive work. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Loving our Neighbors and Our Enemies

Lent
March 23, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:1-9

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ –Luke 13:1-5

‘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 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. –Matthew 5:43-45

Bad things do happen to good people. Some people we might consider bad seem to skate through life with few challenges. Jesus implies in both the above scriptures something to the effect that it does rain on the just and the unjust. What he also says is that loving God and loving all of God’s children better prepares us for those events in life that are so unbearable.

Our age of instant communications immediately makes us aware of tragedies around the world. This week we heard of the killings in Mosques in New Zealand and a devastating cyclone and flood in Mozambique killing over 242 people. I watched a farmer walk among the 700 bodies of drowned pigs from floods in the USA, his family’s livelihood destroyed in a manner of minutes. That was just one farm. There is no telling how the floods along the Mississippi river will impact our food supplies.

Of course, the response to salvage what can be saved, comfort those directly affected and rebuild are all our responsibilities. We are also called to do what we can to prevent these type events in the future. New Zealand has already strengthened their gun control laws. Stronger and more levies may be needed along the Mississippi and water sources in Mozambique. We must also face the realities of climate change and do all that is humanly possible to address it. These are examples of working together toward the Common Good. They are also examples of loving our neighbors and our enemies.

Prayer: Lord, awaken us to the needs of all and direct us toward ways to help, as we strive to follow your example of love while working for the Common Good. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.