Matthew 5:44
Shared Love
If you are fond of a particular actor and consider his art to be one of the best, then you are fond of everyone else who admires him because of your common admiration. And the more fervent you are in your admiration, the harder you work to secure new admirers for him, and the more anxious you become to show him to other people.
Now if this is true, what is appropriate for us to do when we live in the love of God and find true happiness by enjoying Him? When we aren’t afraid that anyone who comes to know Him will be disappointed? When we know that everyone who actually does love Him will obtain an eternal reward—the very One they love?
Then we must even love our enemies. For we aren’t afraid of them. They can’t take away what we love from us. Instead, we pity them, because the more they hate us, the more they are separated from the One we love. But if they turned to God, they would be force to love Him the best. They would also love us because of our sharing such a blessing with them.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
Shared Love
If you are fond of a particular actor and consider his art to be one of the best, then you are fond of everyone else who admires him because of your common admiration. And the more fervent you are in your admiration, the harder you work to secure new admirers for him, and the more anxious you become to show him to other people.
Now if this is true, what is appropriate for us to do when we live in the love of God and find true happiness by enjoying Him? When we aren’t afraid that anyone who comes to know Him will be disappointed? When we know that everyone who actually does love Him will obtain an eternal reward—the very One they love?
Then we must even love our enemies. For we aren’t afraid of them. They can’t take away what we love from us. Instead, we pity them, because the more they hate us, the more they are separated from the One we love. But if they turned to God, they would be force to love Him the best. They would also love us because of our sharing such a blessing with them.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
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