Wise Counsel from one who whispers truth ...

When we hate someone, and are angry at her,

it is because we do not understand her

or the circumstances she comes from.

By practicing deep looking,

we realize that if we grew up like her,

in her set of circumstances and in her environment,

we would be just like her.

That kind of understanding removes your anger,

and suddenly that person is no longer your enemy.

Then you can love her.

As long as she remains and enemy,

LOVE is IMPOSSIBLE.

Thich Nhat Hanh

It's funny. I first encountered that quotation at the meeting on Sunday afternoon where the vote to "end the pastoral relationship without cause" was held. (a vote that passed)

Since then, I have continued my reading of Hanh, and found myself reflecting on his words over and over. Today I remembered a video I saw not long after I returned from a six week study tour of Israel, Jordan and Egypt back in 1988.

In the video clip on the news one night they visited a place run by one of the many groups struggling to bring the children of Palestine and Israel together. At the end of the clip little Arab boys and little Jewish Boys had their arms wrapped around each other and were laughing in the midst of the hugging ... BUT, what stood out for me were two little 9 or 10 year old boys who had their arms wrapped around each other and were proclaiming for the camera: "WE ARE BROTHERS !!!"

The reporter asked them what they thought about the adults saying "you are enemies" and the little Jewish boy, with his arms around his Arab "brother" said "He's not my enemy. I know him. He's my brother, and I love him ..."

I think this is the moment Jesus meant when he told us to LOVE our enemies, to love those who would revile us, and to walk an extra mile to carry the pack of our enemy ... When we take the time to talk TO the person we supposedly hate, we suddenly realize they are a person with hopes and fears, and they are remarkably like us. Walking that extra mile gives us the opportunity to learn more about the other person, and perhaps learn more about ourselves and our own shortcomings and biases ...

In faith, when we have the courage to spend time with our enemies, they will not stay our enemy for long if we take the time to form a relationship with them and learn about them and their lives ... In human history we can point to thousands of examples where that moment is lived and enemies lay aside hate and anger and find healing and wholeness ... Too bad in matters of faith that is often the last thing people try ...

To diminish hate, and live love we need to try ...