Wednesday, December 23, 2009

LOVE IN ACTION

A person who has learned to love his enemies doesn't have to spent his whole life trying not to make any or pretending not to have any.

The first act of charity toward one's enemies may well be to thwart their ambitions and, if necessary, bring them to their knees -- figuratively or literally. At which moment, one can fall on one's knees beside them and begin putting the world back together again.

6 comments:

Gagdad Bob said...

I just finished a book about World War II last night. The fiercest fighting, of course, had taken place in the Pacific. But at the signing of the terms of surrender on the Missouri, the Japanese were taken aback at the Americans' magnanimity. Among other reasons, they had had it drilled into them that we were as cruel and barbarous as they. But instead of exulting or castigating (which was not beneath him on other occasions), MacArthur made a brief speech expressing hope that "a better world should emerge," one "founded on faith and understanding." One Japanese diplomat speculated that things would have been quite different had the roles been reversed, which is an understatement.

The left already despises us. Imagine how much they'd hate us if we behaved as they do.

Robert Mooney said...

After such good Christian words Gagdad Bob just wrote, he then sadly presumes to assume the worst motives on the part of his (apparently) enemies "the left." It is a good thing the Good Lord doesn't allow us to know other's hearts. If He did, we would have and even harder time avoiding passing moral judgement on them rather than limiting ourselves to judging their actions.

Rick said...

A little judgemental, don't you think, Robert?
Rick F.

Gagdad Bob said...

Besides, I'm a psychologist. I'm paid to read minds.

Robert Mooney said...

Rick, I only judged his actions. That is what we are required to do. He's probably a stand-up guy. Even us stand-up guys do bad things sometimes.

Gagdad Bob, I am glad you get paid for that, but have you seen, professionally, enough folks on the left to pass summary judgement on the motives of the left in general?

Gagdad Bob said...

Yes, but I have no interest in their motives. Just because they hate me, it doesn't mean their policies aren't terribly destructive.