Article December 12, 2016 Issue

Disarming an enemy

Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche

Is kindness an evasive response to animosity? Is love a weak reply to hatred? Are self-abnegation and courage fruitless when one is under threat?

It’s pretty safe to say that Christ Jesus didn’t think so. He taught that kindness, love, setting aside one’s own interests in the interest of others, and courage are powerful and natural ways for us to respond to evil.

He said: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45).

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Disarming an enemy

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