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Mt19_26
Guest
What does it actually mean to “love your enemies?” For example, what about a person who has been raped? I know you should forgive them but how does “love your enemy” apply to a situation like that?
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thistle
Guest
Mt19:26:
You should watch a talk by Father Corapi on this. He puts it very clearly. You must forgive anybody who has wronged you or your family, even someone who has raped or murdered one of your family. You must even forgive a parent who has violently and/or sexually abused you as a child.
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antonius
Guest
Mt19:26:
“Love” does not mean some type of mushy-gushy warm feeling or emotional attraction. To love one’s enemies means to consciously desire their ultimate well-being. In the case of a rapist or murderer, to pray for their conversion of heart and sincere repentence would be an act of love toward such an enemy. Although my sense of justice cries out for revenge and punishment, my sense of love asks not to avenge evil, but to convert evil to good.
I once asked a similar question of a very good priest. He told me that as Christians, we are obliged to love everyone. But we do not have to like them.
“Love” does not mean some type of mushy-gushy warm feeling or emotional attraction. To love one’s enemies means to consciously desire their ultimate well-being. In the case of a rapist or murderer, to pray for their conversion of heart and sincere repentence would be an act of love toward such an enemy. Although my sense of justice cries out for revenge and punishment, my sense of love asks not to avenge evil, but to convert evil to good.
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frogman80
Guest
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