So, You Have Enemies?

As I prepare for a lunch meeting today with two of my best friends - an Islamic Imam and a Jewish Rabbi (we meet for lunch regularly), we also do "Interfaith Discussion" programs in the community, and we work together on a number of other important interfaith initiatives in Central Florida - I am reminded that each of our faith traditions have something to say about enemies. In each case the best of our traditions call not for the destruction of the enemy, but rather for means whereby we can find a way to co-exist. Here is one of the great truths for me:

Almost no one seeks to make someone an enemy,

but having enemies is too often a part of life. 

This may in fact be more true for those who hold positions of leadership and responsibility in the community. If you state an idea, or clearly indicate a direction that you believe should guide life or community, or if you challenge someone in a way that makes that person uncomfortable you may well find yourself with an enemy. It is likely an unintentional outcome of some interaction. So, I will state it again, almost no one seeks to make someone an enemy!

All the great sages of all the faith traditions in the past (and currently for that matter) understand that dealing with enemies from time to time is a part of life. As with other faith traditions Christianity, in the Spirit of Jesus, has some rather clear statements about dealing with enemies in as positive and life-giving a way as possible. Jesus is remembered as saying, for instance, “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," and also, "...love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your God is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."  Even the early church leader, Paul, weighs in on this when he suggests, "feed your enemies."  Too lofty?

We may think so, but here's the thing: without this high calling we run the risk of living in the ongoing cycle of violence and vengeance which has too often come to define our society and world.  We need "lofty," and we need people who commit themselves to these high and noble ideals in very practical ways.  This is critical work for the spiritual mind and heart.  I think that it cannot be achieved solely through biological processes (yet, this is a discussion for another day: how biology is both affected by and part of the holistic connection of spirit/mind/body).  Part of the work of spirituality for each of us is to learn the way of peaceful co-existence with our enemies, the bullet points are these:

• Love your enemies and pray for them - it means prayers of support and kindness, I'm pretty sure.

• Help your enemies if they come to you or if you see they need help - with a heart of compassion - a bridge of new or renewed friendship just might be built on such a foundation, if not, do it anyway (without expecting to get anything in return).

• Show mercy to others and live in non-judgmental ways - refuse to put your spectator's chair on the sideline waiting for them to "mess up" so you can "get 'em" - there is nothing good or life-giving in such behavior.

In a world where ideological intransigence, smug self-righteousness, and 'destroy the other at all cost' attitudes are far too prevalent, we are in desperate need of those who seek the spiritual maturity to stretch their lives toward this understanding.  Lofty?  Indeed.  Hard?  You better believe it.  The only real hope for a broken and beleaguered human race and planet?  Absolutely!

Confession time: I am still far from living this vision out in my own life.  But it is my goal, everyday.  Join in the revolution of compassion and kindness.  May we each find our way in - as the Dalai Lama suggests as regards enemies - tolerance, patience, and forbearance.  It is only by this path that we become co-creators with the Great Spirit of Life of a world that is fit to live in.