In theory it is easy to "love your enemies," but when it comes to putting our faith into practice, it is quite another thing.
"Enemies" can encompass a wide variety of people we encounter on a daily basis. It could be the person who cuts us off on the highway, or who gives us a thumbs down on social media.
They could even be celebrities or political figures with whom we disagree, people who are on the exact opposite side of the political spectrum.
In many of these cases, we simply can't see ourselves loving that other person. They are our enemies and we may secretly hope that they lose their influence and power all at once.
Yet, Jesus has challenged us to love them and to actively forgive them for any wrongdoing that they perform.
Look to the crucifix
St. Aelred suggests in his Mirror of Love to turn our eyes to Jesus and his Passion and to learn from him:
The perfection of brotherly love lies in the love of one’s enemies. We can find no greater inspiration for this than grateful remembrance of the wonderful patience of Christ. He who is more fair than all the sons of men offered his fair face to be spat upon by sinful men; he allowed those eyes that rule the universe to be blindfolded by wicked men; he bared his back to the scourges; he submitted that head which strikes terror in principalities and powers to the sharpness of the thorns; he gave himself up to be mocked and reviled, and at the end endured the cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, remaining always gentle, meek and full of peace.
He goes further in his reflection and urges us to look at Jesus and how he even made excuses for his enemies:
It was not enough to pray for them: he wanted also to make excuses for them. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little judgment; therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing me to the cross, but they do not know who it is that they are nailing to the cross: if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory; therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden my face from them, and they do not recognize my glory; therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
St. Alered concludes by writing, "if [a soul] wishes to prevent this fire of divine love from growing cold because of injuries received, let him keep the eyes of his soul always fixed on the serene patience of his beloved Lord and Savior."
Jesus gave us the supreme example of loving your enemies, even those who do physical harm to us. He shows us the way to follow, challenging us not to hate our enemies, but to love them and even make excuses for them.
This doesn't mean that we need to support our enemies' wrongdoings, but that we need to be gentle and compassionate towards them. We should want them to be saved and to enter the gates of Heaven someday.
We should desire that they be in Heaven with us, praising God for his infinite mercy.
