Who is Your Enemy?
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘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.” - Mt 5:43-48
How many times have we heard that challenge from Jesus to “love your enemies”?
Moreover, who is your enemy? How have they become your enemy? Why is it so difficult to love your enemy?
When we reflect on what causes us to consider another as an enemy, we are invited to reflect on what influences us: news, social media, culture, politics, stereotypes, community, colleagues, friends, and even family.
When I was growing up, I was raised by a single mother after my father left when I was only one. In addition to the hate influenced by my mother’s loathing, my hate was only reinforced with my father’s unwillingness to visit me, provide necessary child support, or even reconcile. During our times in the courtroom, my father would use my accomplishments (e.g. scholarships) to justify why he shouldn’t support me financially or emotionally.
Upon growing up, I was thrust into my paternal side of the family when one of my uncles passed away as their “cháu đích tôn” (eldest son’s eldest son) of the Vu family. Following Vietnamese tradition, relatives wore “khăn tang” (white headbands) to mourn the death. My spouse chose to not wear a “khăn tang” to avoid any family drama since my spouse is visibly unrelated as a white person.
My father and I avoided each other and were occasionally forced into family photographs. As the family grieved in the closing of the coffin, my father walked over to my spouse and unexpectedly placed a “khăn tang”. Unsure about my father’s intention, one thing was for certain: my spouse started to cry and a part of me began to shed some hate and choose to love my father.
Imagine how difficult it must have been for my father, who I considered an enemy, to ask for forgiveness. In turn, imagine how difficult it must have been for me to accept my father’s invitation to forgive.
Invitations to forgive your enemy and accept another forgiveness may be difficult or impossible. During this season of Lent, who is Jesus calling you to that invitation of forgiveness and challenging you to “love your enemies”?
Lord, as I reflect on who my enemy is, please help me love my enemy and remember that they are also a child of God.
John Huân Vũ
Photo credit: John Huân Vũ