Love Enemy
The end of conflict is easy to say but impossible to do. Every culture has love thy neighbor and the golden rule. And yet it is not enough. Only one who is supernaturally empowered to love their enemy can conquer not their enemy — but war itself. There are certain great ones who lived this, Jesus, MLK…they laid down their lives. But their greatness has sprouts. We know they are great because they were able to do something we cannot do (or won’t do).
Israel and Palestine. For the most part two great traditions, related to Christianity, but neither with the value to love one’s enemy. I see little hope. I see violent reciprocity without end. We can take sides if we like. But we should know, neither side who has engaged in violence can be innocent. Only the one that willingly lays down their life. The reward is paradoxically death and peace. Together.
Matthew 5:43–45
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
As René Girard feared, in an age of nuclear weapons, if we cannot live this supernatural command, apocalypse is inevitable.
