The Gospel Lesson, Matthew 5:39-48, contains familiar words even to those who do not claim to be Christian. "But I say to you. love your enemies...If you love only those who love you what reward do you have?" It is not reasonable to love one's enemies. And Jesus compounds the commandment because the word "enemies" refers to personal opponents, adversaries that we know. Enemies are not far off. They live next door. Sometimes we work with them. I have even witnessed that they can be in the same church. Our current environment warns us that enemies are everywhere. So we respond with fear, and exclusion, and war--the opposite of what Jesus said his followers should do. Love. Difficult to do. We love our enemies because God loves all. Every one of us.

Do you know of Shel Silverstein's poetry?  In his book, Where the Sidewalk Ends, is a delightful poem entitled "Hug O' War".  I'd like to share it with you.

   "I will not play at tug o' war.

I'd rather play at hug o' war,

Where everyone hugs

Instead of tugs,

Where everyone giggles

And rolls on the rug,

Where everyone kisses,

And everyone grins,

And everyone cuddles,

And everyone wins."

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