Sept. 13, 2012 Thursday: St. John Chrysostom
Loving one's enemies
“You have heard that it was said: You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: Love your enemies ... pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5,43-44). No doubt, we don't have any enemies in Carmel, but there are feelings. One feels attracted to this Sister, whereas with regard to another, one would make a long detour in order to avoid meeting her. And so, without even knowing it, she becomes the subject of persecution. Well, Jesus is telling me that it is this Sister who must be loved, she must be prayed for even though her conduct would lead me to believe that she doesn't love me: "If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? For even sinners love those who love them." And it isn't enough to love; we must prove it. We are naturally happy to offer a gift to a friend; we love especially to give surprises; however; this is not charity, for sinners do this too. Here is what Jesus teaches me also: "Give to everyone who asks of you, and from him who takes away your goods, ask no return." Giving to all those who ask is less sweet than offering oneself by the movement of one's own heart... Although it is difficult to give to one who asks, it is even more so to allow one to take what belongs to you, without asking it back. O Mother, I say it is difficult; I should have said that this seems difficult, for the yoke of the Lord is sweet and light (Mt 11,30). When one accepts it, one feels its sweetness immediately,
and cries out with the Psalmist: “I have run the way of your commandments when you enlarged my heart” (Ps 119[118],32). It is only charity that can expand my heart. O Jesus, since this sweet flame consumes it, I run with joy in the way of your new commandment (Jn 13,34).
- Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
“You have heard that it was said: You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: Love your enemies ... pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5,43-44). No doubt, we don't have any enemies in Carmel, but there are feelings. One feels attracted to this Sister, whereas with regard to another, one would make a long detour in order to avoid meeting her. And so, without even knowing it, she becomes the subject of persecution. Well, Jesus is telling me that it is this Sister who must be loved, she must be prayed for even though her conduct would lead me to believe that she doesn't love me: "If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? For even sinners love those who love them." And it isn't enough to love; we must prove it. We are naturally happy to offer a gift to a friend; we love especially to give surprises; however; this is not charity, for sinners do this too. Here is what Jesus teaches me also: "Give to everyone who asks of you, and from him who takes away your goods, ask no return." Giving to all those who ask is less sweet than offering oneself by the movement of one's own heart... Although it is difficult to give to one who asks, it is even more so to allow one to take what belongs to you, without asking it back. O Mother, I say it is difficult; I should have said that this seems difficult, for the yoke of the Lord is sweet and light (Mt 11,30). When one accepts it, one feels its sweetness immediately,
and cries out with the Psalmist: “I have run the way of your commandments when you enlarged my heart” (Ps 119[118],32). It is only charity that can expand my heart. O Jesus, since this sweet flame consumes it, I run with joy in the way of your new commandment (Jn 13,34).
- Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
