Embrace Enemies in Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to apply the exhortation of Christ to “love our enemies” in our daily interaction with the people on our journey.

Love in Our Neighbourhood

The First Letter of  Paul to the Corinthians raises the dilemma our knowledge being insufficient to ignore Practical Rules.

* [8:1–11:1] The Corinthians’ second question concerns meat that has been sacrificed to idols; in this area they were exhibiting a disordered sense of liberation that Paul here tries to rectify. These chapters contain a sustained and unified argument that illustrates Paul’s method of theological reflection on a moral dilemma. Although the problem with which he is dealing is dated, the guidelines for moral decisions that he offers are of lasting validity. Essentially Paul urges them to take a communitarian rather than an individualistic view of their Christian freedom. Many decisions that they consider pertinent only to their private relationship with God have, in fact, social consequences. Nor can moral decisions be determined by merely theoretical considerations; they must be based on concrete circumstances, specifically on the value and needs of other individuals and on mutual responsibility within the community. Paul here introduces the theme of “building up” (oikodomē), i.e., of contributing by individual action to the welfare and growth of the community. This theme will be further developed in 1 Cor 14; see note on 1 Cor 14:3b–5. Several years later Paul would again deal with the problem of meat sacrificed to idols in Rom 14:1–15:6.

* [8:1a] Meat sacrificed to idols: much of the food consumed in the city could have passed through pagan religious ceremonies before finding its way into markets and homes. “All of us have knowledge”: a slogan, similar to 1 Cor 6:12, which reveals the self-image of the Corinthians. 1 Cor 8:4 will specify the content of this knowledge.

* [8:6] This verse rephrases the monotheistic confession of v. 4 in such a way as to contrast it with polytheism (1 Cor 8:5) and to express our relationship with the one God in concrete, i.e., in personal and Christian terms. And for whom we exist: since the Greek contains no verb here and the action intended must be inferred from the preposition eis, another translation is equally possible: “toward whom we return.” Through whom all things: the earliest reference in the New Testament to Jesus’ role in creation.

* [8:8–9] Although the food in itself is morally neutral, extrinsic circumstances may make the eating of it harmful. A stumbling block: the image is that of tripping or causing someone to fall (cf. 1 Cor 8:13; 9:12; 10:12, 32; 2 Cor 6:3; Rom 14:13, 20–21). This is a basic moral imperative for Paul, a counterpart to the positive imperative to “build one another up”; compare the expression “giving offense” as opposed to “pleasing” in 1 Cor 10:32–33.

* [8:13] His own course is clear: he will avoid any action that might harm another Christian. This statement prepares for the paradigmatic development in 1 Cor 9. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 139 is a meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience.

* [Psalm 139] A hymnic meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience. The psalmist is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze (Ps 139:1–6), of God’s presence in every part of the universe (Ps 139:7–12), and of God’s control over the psalmist’s very self (Ps 139:13–16). Summing up Ps 139:1–16, 17–18 express wonder. There is only one place hostile to God’s rule—wicked people. The psalmist prays to be removed from their company (Ps 139:19–24).

* [139:2] When I sit and stand: in all my physical movement.

* [139:9] Take the wings of dawn: go to the extremities of the east. Beyond the sea: uttermost bounds of the west; the sea is the Mediterranean.

* [139:11] Night shall be my light: night to me is what day is to others.

* [139:15] The depths of the earth: figurative language for the womb, stressing the hidden and mysterious operations that occur there.

* [139:24] Lead me along an ancient path: the manner of living of our ancestors, who were faithful to God’s will, cf. Jer 6:16. (Psalms, PSALM 139 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims Jesus teaching on Love of Enemies

At the core of the sermon is Jesus’ teaching on the love of one’s enemies (Lk 6:27–36) that has as its source of motivation God’s graciousness and compassion for all humanity (Lk 6:35–36) and Jesus’ teaching on the love of one’s neighbor (Lk 6:37–42) that is characterized by forgiveness and generosity.

* [6:20–26] The introductory portion of the sermon consists of blessings and woes that address the real economic and social conditions of humanity (the poor—the rich; the hungry—the satisfied; those grieving—those laughing; the outcast—the socially acceptable). By contrast, Matthew emphasizes the religious and spiritual values of disciples in the kingdom inaugurated by Jesus (“poor in spirit,” Mt 5:3; “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” Mt 5:6). In the sermon, blessed extols the fortunate condition of persons who are favored with the blessings of God; the woes, addressed as they are to the disciples of Jesus, threaten God’s profound displeasure on those so blinded by their present fortunate situation that they do not recognize and appreciate the real values of God’s kingdom. In all the blessings and woes, the present condition of the persons addressed will be reversed in the future.

* [6:27–36] See notes on Mt 5:43–48 and Mt 5:48. (Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Molly Mattingly comments that these things are easy to say but difficult to enact, especially without love.

I find myself skeptical of Jesus’ instruction to “give to everyone who asks of you.”  St. Ignatius would have put it, “Give, and do not count the cost.” My natural inclination to do just that is one of the reasons I got into ministry and enjoy it. As those of us working in ministry are often reminded, however, the cost is burnout. Burnout doesn’t glorify God. Burnout leaves me unable to be generous. (St. Ignatius knew that, too.) I wish Jesus had mirrored that line by saying, “Receive care with gratitude,” which is just as important for healthy community.

Jesus asks us to stop thinking of our daily interactions as business exchanges and start acting out of love. He asks us to stop judging, condemning, holding grudges, and holding back generosity not as a quid-pro-quo, but because we are beloved of God. A quote often attributed to Mother Theresa says, “In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” If we realize God’s love for us in an all-encompassing way, we won’t need to exchange our kindness for others’. We will be free live generously, as those who have received love well. Love received spills over, and lovers are generous to those beloved. (Mattingly, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “The virtue of charity,” by Ambrose of Milan , 339-397 A.D.

"Love is commanded when it is said, 'Love your enemies'" so that the saying which was uttered already before the church may be fulfilled: 'Set in order love in me' (Song of Solomon 2:4). For love is set in order when the precepts of love are formed. See how it began from the heights and cast the law underneath the backs of the Gospel's blessing. The law commands the revenge of punishment (see Exodus 21:23-36). The gospel bestows love for hostility, benevolence for hatred, prayer for curses, help for the persecuted, patience for the hungry and grace of reward. How much more perfect the athlete who does not feel injury!" (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.73) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul deals with meat offered to idols. Meat was very rare in the ancient world. Whatever meat was left over after being offered to Greek gods might be available to eat or be sold. Paul suggests that since pagan gods really don’t exist, it may be OK, but he cautions that some people would be scandalized by the act so we should not eat for the sake of others who might misinterpret our actions. We need to watch out for what we do. We might dismiss it but they might get the wrong example. He notes grandparents should avoid tv that may not be suitable for their grandchildren. Jesus gives new interpretation to relations with enemies. We have to love, bless and pray for enemies. Give them more than they ask for. Love is not based on what we gain. We love those who cannot pay us back. Luke suggests open hearts receive the goodness of God. Friar Jude suggests that if we are closed in self sufficiency and arrogance we won't be able to accept God’s love as offered to us.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 6:27-38 Jesus’ command is challenging. But he knows how hard it can be. That’s why he is always with you, offering you his grace and help. And it’s why he is also ready to forgive you when you fall short.

So try your best to “love your enemies” (Luke 6:27). Resolve to “do good to those who hate you” (6:27). “Stop condemning” and offer mercy instead (6:37). You never know whose life you might change—including your own!

“Jesus, I am weak, but you are strong. Help me to love as you love.” (Meditation on Luke 6:27-38, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Methodist minister Renita Weems who comments that whatever spirituality is, it is not something to be discovered. It is something to be recovered—something you misplace and recover a thousand times in a lifetime.

Sometimes we awaken to it through nature. Sometimes it comes to us through art, music, dance, or silence. Sometimes we are reminded of it by interacting with or observing children. Sometimes we happen upon it through chance encounters with strangers. And for a moment, we are smitten with the sublime. And then we lose it. We lose its scent, we can’t make out its sound. Sometimes we stumble around for what feels like days, months, perhaps years, trying to recapture it—trying to pick back up the scent, trying to make out the sounds. But even though we find ourselves stumbling, we’re onto something. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to guide our conscience as we struggle to respond with an attitude of openness and acceptance to the attacks of those opposed to our lifestyle and mission.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?27 

Mattingly, M. (2026, September 10). Daily Reflection September 10, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-10-2026 

Meditation on Luke 6:27-38. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/10/1666429/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/8? 

Psalms, PSALM 139 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/139? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Belief Is Not Certainty. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/belief-is-not-certainty/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Good to Those Who Hate You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Love for Enemies

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the characteristics of the followers of the Way that radiate radical love and inclusion.

Life Love and Inclusion

The Reading from the First Book of Kings is Prophetic Condemnation of the Action of the King.

* [21:20–26] In these verses the narrator uses against the third Israelite dynasty the same condemnation formula that was uttered against the first two dynasties, those of Jeroboam (14:9–11) and Baasha (16:2–4). Part of the formula is put in Elijah’s mouth, in an oracle against Ahab and his descendants (vv. 21–22), and part of it in an aside to the reader that extends the condemnation to Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, and his whole household (vv. 23–24). The oracle against Jezebel will be fulfilled in 2 Kgs 9:36; the obliteration of the dynasty will be recounted in the bloody stories of 2 Kgs 9–11. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]). (Psalms, CHAPTER 51 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asserts that we practice Love of Enemies.

* [5:43–48] See Lv 19:18. There is no Old Testament commandment demanding hatred of one’s enemy, but the “neighbor” of the love commandment was understood as one’s fellow countryman. Both in the Old Testament (Ps 139:19–22) and at Qumran (1QS 9:21) hatred of evil persons is assumed to be right. Jesus extends the love commandment to the enemy and the persecutor. His disciples, as children of God, must imitate the example of their Father, who grants his gifts of sun and rain to both the good and the bad.

* [5:46] Tax collectors: Jews who were engaged in the collection of indirect taxes such as tolls and customs. See note on Mk 2:14.

* [5:47] Jesus’ disciples must not be content with merely usual standards of conduct; see Mt 5:20 where the verb “surpass” (Greek perisseuō) is cognate with the unusual (perisson) of this verse.

* [5:48] Perfect: in the gospels this word occurs only in Matthew, here and in Mt 19:21. The Lucan parallel (Lk 6:36) demands that the disciples be merciful. (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard comments this is a strong directive. Further on in Matthew’s gospel we hear Jesus say,  “…love your neighbor as you love yourself”…(Matthew 22:37-40). 

Demanding words, especially in today’s world where there is daily bombing, violence, ongoing judgement, hunger, starvation, belittling and little apparent evidence of universal love of neighbor and prayer for enemy.  Hate may seem more productive, seem easier, as it is often more visible. Praying for one’s enemies is challenging. Often invisible.

In addition to the difficult directive to love one’s neighbors and pray for one’s enemies, there is an invitation.  Jesus invites us into familial relationship with his father.  This is the way children of the heavenly father behave. Love and pray for one’s neighbors and enemies. “…that you may be children of your heavenly Father…” who treats “…the bad and the good…and the just and the unjust…” equally.  We hear of this incredible relationship between Father and Son.  Amazingly, we are invited to share as “children” in this relationship.

Sitting with this image, in the imaginative prayer experience of being a child of the Father and sister of the Son, I prayerfully experience myself as a lover and pray-er no longer a judge. I feel the Father saying, “Joan, in my house, we do not hate. In my house all are equally loved.” (Blandin Howard, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Pray for those who persecute you,” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"For neither did Christ simply command to love but to pray. Do you see how many steps he has ascended and how he has set us on the very summit of virtue? Mark it, numbering from the beginning. A first step is not to begin with injustice. A second, after one has begun, is not to vindicate oneself by retaliating in kind. A third, to refuse to respond in kind to the one who is injuring us but to remain tranquil. A fourth, even to offer up one's self to suffer wrongfully. A fifth, to give up even more than the wrongdoer wishes to take. A sixth, to refuse to hate one who has wronged us. A seventh, even to love such a one. An eighth, even to do good to that one. A ninth, to entreat God himself on our enemy's behalf. Do you perceive how elevated is a Christian disposition? Hence its reward is also glorious. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 18.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:43-48 comments that before we could do anything to please you, you loved us. Even though you knew that we would turn to our own ways and separate ourselves from you, you did not turn your heart away from us.

“Jesus has called me to be perfect as you are perfect, heavenly Father. If he asks this of me, I believe you will equip me. And so I ask that you fill me with your love and mercy and faithfulness. Let your life within me change my heart so that it resembles yours. Lord, perfect me in your perfection!

“Father, you are perfect in all of your ways, and you are my example of perfection. Make me like you so that I can follow in your perfect footsteps.” (Meditation on Matthew 5:43-48, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in 1 Kings we learn of Jezebel’s plot and now Elijah must confront King Ahab. The punishment will be terrible and the dogs will take retribution on the deceased body of Ahab. There was not a stable dynasty in Israel at this time and when a prophet proclaimed disaster a King might be overthrown. In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus extends the Law to extend love to everybody. We usually find it easy to express love to those from whom we expect a return. Jesus says we especially need to treat those who do not treat us well with love as we show them total generosity. Friar Jude recounts the explanation of “Perfect Joy” described by Francis of Assisi that recognized when we still love others when we have received disrespect from them. Francis is also thrilled that the brokenness of the brother can be shared by Francis taking some of his brother’s hurt and woundedness upon himself.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces religious scholar Huston Smith who describes how the first Christians spread the gospel message through their happiness, beyond any particular words they shared. Smith highlights two remarkable qualities witnessed in the first Christians:

One of the earliest observations by an outsider about Christians that we have is, “See how these Christians love one another.” Integral to this mutual regard was a total absence of social barriers; it was a discipleship of equals. Here were men and women who not only said that everyone was equal in the sight of God but who lived as though they meant it.

Outsiders found this baffling. These scattered Christians were not numerous. They were not wealthy or powerful, and they were in constant danger of being killed. Yet they had laid hold of an inner peace that found expression in a joy that was uncontainable. Perhaps “radiant” would be a better word. “Radiance” is hardly the word used to characterize the average religious life, but no other word fits as well the life of these early Christians.(Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our presentation of Christ in the world by the phrase “they will know we are Christians by our Love”.

References

Blandin Howard, J. (2026, June 16). Daily Reflection June 16, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-16-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?43 

Meditation on Matthew 5:43-48. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/15/1592497/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/21?17 

Psalms, CHAPTER 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Living Out the Good News. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/living-out-the-good-news/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Love Your Enemies and Pray for Them. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 16, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/