Jer 20:10-13, Rom 5:12-15, Mt 10:26-33
These readings hung me up a bit. I was taught, like the word hatred, that enemy is a strong word. We should not wish or cause others harm, or hate them, or even wish them a paper cut if they act ‘against us’ or in ways that cause us harm. And while there are people in my life who annoy me and do things that inconvenience and perturb me, I don’t think of them as enemies. Meanwhile, watching Foyle’s War reminds me that political strife impacts people daily, and that war is an everyday part of life for many.
These two diverging thought trains drove me to the Etymology Dictionary, where I learned that many languages have two or more words for enemy, one indicating a personal enemy, and the other a public or political enemy, as in war. While the bible passages make enemies seem personal, these enemies exist in a social, political, public content.
In this context, some stranger wanting to kill you, convinced that the only way they and their kin will survive is if you do not makes sense. Meanwhile, protective you will do whatever it takes to save your loved ones. It feels personal, it is personal, they are trying to kill you after all, but this hatred and desire to harm, lives in the context of war and survival. And it is humbling to remembering that many in the world face this sort of personal-public enemy all the time.
Another fascinating tid-bit I learned from the Etymology Dictionary relates to the origin of the word enemy. It’s constructed of two bits from Latin, non and amicus, which translates, not friend. Friends help friends, they look out for others, notice their moods, encourage them when down, lend a hand when its needed… Enemies try to bring each other down, even kill them… One either side of the coin, these are both words and clusters of ideas that require—or motivate rather— lots of verbs and actions.
The world is certainly not that black and white, and we have all grown accustomed to the shadows that live with us in the gray. The gospels talk lots about love being an action list, not really a warm fuzzy feeling. These passages, once one leaps into the etymology, might spur the same sense of need to do, to help, to engage with others in a way that helps. In other words, to act as a friend. Even if unintentionally, if we are not striving to uplift others, than we are causing them harm. If we are not for, then we are against…
Journal Questions
- Who would you say are your personal or public enemies? How does the idea of having an enemy make you feel?
- Make a list of 12 unrelated people you know. Next to them write if they are your friend, an enemy or just someone you know. Where do you see opportunities to build relationships?
Writing to Pray 