Matthew 5:43-45 NRSV
Love. your. enemies.
Really? Truly love them? The ones who harm you and harm the ones you love? Love the people who kill innocent people? Love the shooter of so many in Tucson? Love the one who killed a nine year-old girl?
I aspire to follow this direct commandment from Jesus. But, I confess I find love my last reaction. My first reaction after an event like the shooting on Saturday is to cry out in horror, then to condemn, then to be taken up in a wave of sadness and mourning.
Love seems a silly, sentimental response. Love those who persecute you.
Instead of a pithy afterthought, this week I find love to be a tall order, but the response God makes me capable of. I pray we all find ourselves capable of this call of discipleship.