Hieromonk Gregorio is a Priest-monk from the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou, Mount Athos, Greece.
The Lord Jesus Christ commands what only He is in the position to ask of us. We could not possibly accept this Word from anyone else.
He speaks to us saying,
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what
credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."Luke 6:27-36 NASB
Hard words indeed! But if we obey the commandment, the doors of eternal life will be open to us, we will become like unto God Himself and His very Life and nature will be communicated to us, because we would have learned to love the way He loves.
Can you imagine? To be forgiven everything, even our most serious offenses, because we strive to show kindness to the one who is unpleasant to us, the one who is trying to hurt us.
Hieromonk Gregorios writes, "St John Chrysostom appeals to each of us, saying,
'He (God) has made you the judge of the forgiveness of your own sins: if you forgive only a few sins, only a few will be forgiven you: if you forgive many, then many will be forgiven you. If you forgive sincerely from the heart, that is how God will forgive you. And if after forgiving your enemy you make him your friend, God will do the same for you. " page 15,
quoting St John Chrysostom's Homilies on the Statues, 20, 6, PG 49, 206 (Note)
I do not yet possess this kind of love but I am determined to behave as if I had it. This is a struggle which is froth with difficulty, but in the end, if we persevere, it will leads us into
eternal life!
For more on the love of enemies please read my post, The Foolishness of the Cross: Love your Enemies.
Note:
from 'Love your Enemies' page 15, by Hieromonk Gregorios, published by the Cell of St John the Theologian, Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou, Karyes, Mount Athos, Greece
2008
Hello, glad to have found your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have read Hieromonk Gregorios' other book The Prodigal, have you read it? It's a lovely book.
I was interested in purchasing "Love Your Enemies" but would like to know what is the tone of the book?
I am very sensitive right now and my Spiritual Father wants me to stay away from fire and brimstone kind of writings. I can't imagine Father Gregorios would write in such a way but I wanted to make sure this topic was presented in a way that inspired you rather than condemning.
Loving enemies is a benchmark for the Christian walk and after all the love and mercy the Lord has shown this wretch I have a strong desire to do the same for my fellow man, friend or foe. Thank you.