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Monday, 24 February 2014

Love your enemies and yourself

Resources are scarce. All of us fight for resources to survive. Therefore, we have rivals and comrades. Rivals threaten our survival. They are enemies. Sometimes, rivals gang together to form a more powerful fighting unit. We are comrades. Therefore, it is possible to turn enemies into comrades. However, situations are fluid. Our comrades may turn around and become our enemies. We need skills to discern the situation and to engage with these enemies cum comrades.

Many strategists have offered different approaches and solutions. Inferior ones have been eliminated in the course of history and what remain are strong contenders. Not only must these strategies offer immediate benefits and solutions, they must also supply a relevant and sustainable world view to be convincing. Of course, I buy Christianity. The teachings of Jesus sound crazy. How can you offer your enemies another cheek? How can you yield to exploitation? How can you pray for your enemies and love them?

Jesus' teachings pierce directly into the heart of the problem. It is a matter of perception. Enemies are created by our own perception. In fact, our worst enemy is ourselves. When someone strikes my right cheek and I instinctively strike back without thinking, I fall prey to my own weaknesses. I must be the cause of my neighbour's anger so that he strikes me. Otherwise, why targets me? Even if it is a misunderstanding, it is the best strategy for me to offer my left cheek to pacify his anger out of LOVE. If we exchange a strike for a strike, might wins and both of us become victims. We return to the laws of the jungle and our future is grim. Therefore, I buy Jesus' teaching. I may not be able to end violence forever but the world will run a better course.

My sweet Lord, I am weak. Let Your grace infuse me and strengthen me to make this world a better place to live in. Amen.

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