Respect

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, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)

Perfection.   Are we perfect?  Far from it!  Therefore, how do we become perfect just like our heavenly Father?  We must love your enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  Really!?  This seems like a very unrealistic expectation.  It’s a worthwhile goal to be sure, but unattainable except for the saints among us.  I’ll admit; that’s not me.

I prefer the simpler approach we all can take with a reasonable chance of success.  Respect the other person’s opinion. That can be difficult.  

Nevertheless, engage in conversation with ears that can listen and with eyes that can see.  In this way we have a greater chance to unite rather than divide.  Otherwise, our enemies remain our enemies, and hate grows into violence and anti-Christ behavior such as that witnessed throughout our nation and likely to intensify this year through 2024 and beyond.

Deacon David Pierce