Perceiving No Enemies
Geez-oh-man, there sure do seem to be a lot of enemies out there!
No shortage of political enemies, regardless of where you stand. You’ll usually find a few enemies in traffic; either the ones who don’t use their turn signals, or the ones who don’t respect yours.
It’s pretty easy to find cultural enemies without even really looking these days. Doesn’t matter if you’re fleeing one country or putting down roots right next to your ancestors in another; your enemies will be doing the same.
And of course I always like to have a few personal enemies on hand myself. Keeps things interesting and definietly generates a bit of karma; the spice of life.
The other thing about enemies is they’re very useful when cementing an identity.
If I’m ever unclear about who I am, I can at least be sure I’m not that. And once I have an identity I like, I tend to do whatever I can to reinforce my identity including, of course, attacking yours.
Demagogues know this. Dictators build their whole political curriculum upon this fact. Tyrants rely upon the fragility of “my” identity and the fear of “yours” to do all kinds of terrible things.
What are we to do?
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To answer that question, this little Bible nerd went straight to the Greek translation.
I discoverd the word ‘enemy’ comes from the Greek for exthrós, which actually means someone or something you hate so much that you intend to do them harm.
I’ll admit that usually the ancient Greek is a bit more nuanced than the English and makes for great newsletter fodder. This time, not so. But the more I sat with that, the more I had to admit that I do occasionally wish my enemies harm, like in some kind of way. Even the harm of a dirty look will satisfy if I can sneak one in.
But that’s not what one might call a “ministerial sentiment” so onto Step Two; what does my boyfriend have to say about it?
Jesus, of course, has A LOT to say about enemies.
And as is often the case, when Jesus gets involved things get really interesting. Everyone knows about the scripture that says “Turn the other cheek” and “Feed and pray for your enemies.”
But when telling his disciples to ease up on their enemies he says this very interesting thing: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.”
I went back to the Greek translation and discovered that “credit” is actually better translated as ‘grace’ from the same word for charisma.
Another way Jesus might have asked us this questions about enemies is “If you love those who love you, where is the grace in that?” Ouch. But that’s also why I love the guy.
Because he’s always always pointing us towards grace, even/especially when grace is the last place I usually want to go. In truth, I only appreciate grace when I actually need it; i.e. when I’ve fu*ked up, like, real bad and desperately need a hall pass from God.
And when do those fu*k ups often happen putting me most in need of grace? I’m sure you can see this coming. I need that grace when I’ve percieved someone as my enemy and have probably done them harm in some sort of way.
I say ‘perceived’ them as my enemy because as soon as I try to hurt my enemy it becomes immediately apparent that I’ve hurt myself just as bad.
Or I realize that my intended target had civilian bystanders. Or I see that my attack was premature - even if only in my thoughts - and am often deeply humbled by my own rapid-fire response to perceived threat. Please, Jesus, send your girl some grace.
Turns out all the old Enlightened Masters were right; as much as I want to be separate, better-than, and justified in my identity those categories just don’t hold up when the rubber hits the road.
A couple weekends ago I was listening to someone pray a healing blessing for another woman in a spiritual workshop. Part of this lengthy prayer blessing really stuck with me. The man praying said the woman was now living a new life and “perceiving no enemies, in this life or the next…”
In a world chock-full of apparent enemies that struck me to the core.
What would it be like to look at the world with the eyes of Spirit, to be blessed with that graced vision, and perceive no enemies?
What would it be like to see the warmongers, the violent ones, the fearful ones who snuff out life, the jailers, and the corrupt leaders of all kinds and perceive no enemies among them? Like, truly not a one?
What would it be like to look at the people who I’m certain have harmed me and others and even there, perceive no enemies?
This is the practice I’m carrying with me these days. I say ‘practice’ becuase it is way far from perfect. But in the face of so many enemies that they seem to block out the sunshine and grace of the Spirit, it’s an essential practice, however imperfect.
May you also walk your days in the path of grace, perceiving no enemies in this life or any to come.
SING ANYWAY! FINDING COURAGE THROUGH SONG
You don’t have to be a “good” singer to be a powerful one. Join us for Sing Anyway: Finding Courage Through Song, a 2-hour singing workshop for anyone who feels the call to sing in dark times.
September 11th 6-8pm at First Unitarian Church of Denver
Cost: $25 general public, $12 Church Members
IN-PERSON READINGS + MAGDALENE TEACHING
September 19th-21st
I’ll be doing three days of in-person readings at the Body Mind Spirit Expo in Denver. Readings will be $30 for 20 minutes, a deal and steal to get your toxic boss out of your 6th chakra. Come by booth 24 to say hello and pick up a 10% discount code off your next reading.
Readings are September 19th-21st
Mary Magdalene Teaching is September 19th 8-9pm
Location is the National Western Complex Expo Hall
Tickets are $12 and gives you weekend access to all speakers and vendors
Can’t wait to “see” you there! (Haha, psychic jokes 🧿🧿)
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Artwork? Top image is “Bread of Life” by Rose Datoc Dall. Second image is “Christ at the Well” by Peter Koenig
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