PRAYER: Lord, I've got to be honest with you (not that I could fool you otherwise!). God’s love is not selective. on Amazon. In this way, Jesus said, his followers would be imitating God's own astounding graciousness. That’s about as straightforward as it gets. Can you kill an enemy, even in self-defense, and still love him? Jeff Haymond. Image by Live love. and one of the hardest to obey. First, He calls us to love our enemies. Matthew 5:44-45a. It was Jesus who first taught it and it’s one of a kind in its originality. Maybe it was his name, Robin. READ: Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Or. Let’s unpack this teaching a bit to understand what Jesus really said here. Talking about this with a friend today, he shared a simple, profound prayer so appropriate for these situations. Obviously, the calling Jesus has for each of us is to love our enemies (Matt 5:44). How easy is it to love someone you’re mad at? Dr. Smith once again showed why he is the leading Berean light with his recent series on loving your enemies–how do we engage in the public sphere while honoring Christ? To love them does not necessarily mean we must become best friends with them, but it does mean we must work toward having a true affection of care, concern, understanding and forgiveness toward them. I can't offer kindness to those who have wronged me unless your Spirit stirs within me. Commit yourself this day to prayer for the person you struggle with the most. Luke 6:27-28. One Minute Reflection - 18 June - Tuesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 5:43–48 and the Memorial of Blessed Osanna Andreasi OP (1449-1505) “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”...Matthew 5:44 REFLECTION - "You have often heard it said that we… Though we encounter disagreement, fights, and enemies from time to time, we can rise above hate and choose love instead. What under heaven is Jesus thinking? Praying for those who persecute us will help us grow in the proper love and affection we need to foster. Joseph was the favoured son of Jacob’s favoured wife Rachel. Reflections on the Teachings of Christ – “Love your enemies” Posted by David S. Ingram on July 5, 2013. If you did not receive an email please check your spam and other folders. The moment you choose your friends, their enemies become your own enemies. Print ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ Seventh Sunday of the Year A. Spiders, love your enemies. The kind of love Jesus is talking about is not about emotions or sentimentality. 00:00. Love your enemies - There are two kinds of love, involving the same general feeling, or springing from the same fountain of good-will to all mankind, but differing so far as to admit of separation in idea. I have another children’s book to share with you, and no, it not the only kind of book I read. It’s so basic to me because it is a part of my basic philosophical and theological orientation: the whole idea of love, the whole philosophy of love. And as we learn to love our enemies, there will never be any greater demonstration of the Christian faith in society. If it is our enemies we are to love, they must remain enemies. Keep loving them. Unless you have enemies, you cannot love them. But Jesus did not say, “Like your enemies.” He said we are to love our enemies. Like Jesus with his disciples. Love Your Enemy: A Reflection on the Silence of Passion by Mary Snyder Mindfulness is a new word. We have to make God’s compassion and love the measure of our actions. Many Jewish groups in the first-century A.D. called for hatred of the enemies of Israel. Thus, even as I promise to do as you say, I'm also asking you to give me the strength to do the impossible. Luke 6:27-28. Tuesday, June 18, 2019. This topical nine-session Bible study contains tips and encouragement to live a life of generosity and fruitfulness, helping us to redeem our use of resources by nurturing biblical attitudes. “Love Your Enemies” Luke 6:27-38. There are some people we simply do not and cannot like. 1 Corinthians 13 – Chapter on love. This can be hard to have toward everyone but it must be our goal. It is in keeping with this Gospel passage to honestly admit that there is at least someone, or perhaps more than one person, with whom you struggle, either externally or internally. I think of one of the best examples of this. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.”. Leviticus 19:9-18 – Love your neighbor. Author: Charlie Hadjiev February 4, 2018 0 Comments. This may be hard to do but it is one of the healthiest acts you can do. Whom among your "enemies" could you love today? . “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” -Matthew 5:43-45 "Love your enemies. Tough, tough words from Jesus today: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” For me, this is the hardest thing Jesus asks of me as a disciple. –Matthew 5:44-45. At some point, we’ve all had at least one enemy or at the very least, a “frenemy.” You smile when you are around them. 04:14. What about someone who’s negative and down? In preparation for this homily I re-read Joseph’s history, going back as far as Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel—what tales of treachery and deceit! Reflections from Deacon Jay Sunday, February 24, 2019. Spiders, love your enemies. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the listeners: You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Posted in: Uncategorized. About Doctor Eric; My Family; Love Your Enemies. The world desperately needs Christians and churches that put unkindness and gossip and judgmentalism and blame to one side in order to seek a better way – the way of Jesus Christ. My pat answer has always been because it changes you. G. K. Chesterton once observed that the reason Jesus connected “neighbors” and “enemies” is because they are... Biblical strategies to deal with interpersonal conflict at work. Love life. But it is a command of love. Once you identify this person or persons, think about whether you pray for them. June 16, 2020 Jesus commands us to love our enemies. Conflict is a persistent feature that has caused strife in the past, present, and will likely continue in the future. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. The Arthur C. Clarke Award is the most prestigious science fiction award in the UK. Admitting this is simply an act of honesty. Reverse Side of Pillow. He was the new kid in school. Or beyond my capacity. An Infant Rejoices in the Presence of the Lord! Love Your Enemies. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let them slap your left cheek too… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Is it possible to follow this teaching of Jesus today? But God has chosen to use prayer as a means of bringing about His will, and it is through prayer that people can be changed. In this way we act like our Father who regularly gives good things to those who love him and those who don’t. To love such people doesn't mean to feel all sorts of warm fuzzies for them. So I will do as you say, even though I have such mixed feelings about it. I don't fancy being challenged like this. God causes the sun to rise on evil people as well as the good and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. Gospel Reflections Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. By Mark D. Roberts. “Love Your Enemies” invited me into soul searching Scripture (the Bible). Do you pray that God pours forth His grace and mercy upon them? They are still your … “ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 One of the most common conversations I’ve had with people is about praying for your enemies. Who are our enemies? Summary Points: 1) We are to forego anger and hatred – even in the conflictual realm of politics. These psalms can be... Every resource on our site was made possible through the financial support of people like you. Can you legally execute even a convicted murderer and still love him? When I think of loving our enemy, I think of Jesus who loved those who nailed him to the cross. This is without question one of the most original sci-fi novels I have read in recent years. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Please check your email now and click the confirmation link to confirm your request. Do you spend time regularly offering them to God in prayer? How easy it would have been for people to hate the sometimes brutal and always demanding Romans. After Psalms 1 and 2, Book 1 has many psalms in which David complains to God about his enemies. Theology of Work Project Online Materials by The High Calling are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Tagged: Bible study, Christian values, gospel of luke, Jesus Christ, love your enemies, luke 6, luke 6:27, teachings of Christ, teachings of Jesus. One way of understanding what Jesus is saying about the need to love your enemy is to think of an iron bar. Have you prayed for them? My reflection continued as I pondered that those whom I may consider enemies are my sisters and brothers just as those whom I love and care about. Luke 6:27-38 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Unless you have enemies, you cannot love them. In this reading Jesus presents us with a stern challenge: to love our enemies and endure without retaliating when evil is done to us. –Matthew 5:44. The Heart of Perfect Love and Self-Giving, The Cross, the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother, The Profound Teaching of the Holy Eucharist, God Becomes Man—Nine Months Before Christmas. No matter what I did, nothing changed his attitude. This is one of the most famous of Jesus' commands . Posts about Love your enemies written by dave. It’s a message that, when you’re not picturing someone’s face at the time, is truly inspirational – but honestly – there are days when I think, practically, it’s just not possible. So now we're to love those whom we find it natural to hate? Novena dates:June 10-18, 2020 Daily Reflection Who are the people who have wronged you? Who knows, by being immersed daily in God’s love, the worst sinner might begin to change his ways. Jesus' unprecedented call to love one's enemies surely scandalized many in his own day. To love our enemies does not mean that we suddenly become their friends. Come on God that is a tall order. Love Your Enemies (A Simple Word: Gospel Reflections) Capuchin Franciscans. May God make us more and more like Christ so that His love shines forth, even upon our enemies! Just keep being friendly to that person. . 1 John 4:7-8 – Beloved let us love one another. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. And I couldn't figure out why and efforts at reconciliation failed miserably. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:43-44. It may be difficult to show love and affection toward them, but it is not hard to consciously choose to pray for them. We are grateful to accompany you on your journey of personal conversion. The instant you change the way you regard them, they morph before your eyes. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:43-44. Perhaps we can consider anyone we struggle with as our enemies. But what does that look like practically? This will prove that you are sons of your heavenly Father." Yet Jesus confronted this natural inclination to hate with an unsettling call to love even one's enemies. Matthew 5:43-48 English Standard Version (ESV) Love Your Enemies. We tend to have a rather sentimental notion of love. Amen. When you consider that by love Jesus meant, “Seek the good of your enemies,” and that by “pray for” he meant, “ask God to help them,” this seems to be beyond human comprehension or capacity. One Bread, One Body - Reflection for March 3, 2012 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES "My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. That is what it really means to be a Christian! Many years ago, for example, I lived with another Jesuit who simply refused to talk to me. That’s about as straightforward as it gets. Reflection for June 17, 2008 - Love Your Enemies Print ... "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44). But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. Our Blessed Mother: The Queen of All Saints! Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” When I think of loving our enemy, I think of Jesus who loved those who nailed him to the cross. What happens, you’ll see, is that they shape-shift. do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Definition: 1: the quality or state of being mindful. 36 Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. He did not deserve such treatment. What under heaven is Jesus thinking? Think about those whom you have a very difficult time loving. With your gift of any size, you’ll enable us to continue equipping Christians with high-quality biblically-based content. God has commisioned us to work and create, to develop the resources he has given us and share with those in need. By Amy Sparkman. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Preparation for Advent – Feast of St. Andrew, Humility of Service, Nourished by the Eucharist. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Jesus explained that we are to do this because that is the way our Father is. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." As for your enemies, a funny thing happens to them when you love them, whatever that “love” might look like. Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. As usual, he is hitting the key question which Christians should be wrestling with. Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) One of the most challenging statements Jesus made that got me inspired over the years was “….love your enemies…” in our opening scripture. I’m quoting from one of the Maxims of the Pharisees. 1 Corinthians 16:4 – Let all that you do be done in love. If it is our enemies we are to love, they must remain enemies. “ Love your enemies ” does not mean “change your enemies’ political views.” It does not mean, “Convince your enemies that you see the world rightly and they don’t.” Love, whether it is towards myself or my neighbor or my enemy, is patient and kind. Below you’ll find some compelling reasons to love your enemies. In my life I've found it probably the most difficult thing to do as a Christian. Help me to love all people and help me to especially love those who are hard to love. The moment you choose your friends, their enemies become your own enemies. Love your Enemies–a critical reflection. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father…” What would happen if everyone who hates the president begins to love him, and if everyone who hates racists begins to pray earnestly for them? Used with Permission. People are very resistant to praying for those they have categorized as their opponent. Dear heavenly Father, Help us to truly follow Jesus by renouncing all condemning, unloving and unforgiving attitudes that might still linger in us, even if we have held them for years. It has been said that although loving your enemies is only one theme among many in the Sermon on the Plain, it is the most dominant one.18 Therefore, Luke uses the command in the beginning to make sure his point is known, … This prayer will most likely not change your love for them over night, but if you commit to this form of prayer every day, over time God will slowly change your heart and free you of the burden of anger and hurt that may keep you from the love He wants you to have toward all people. Too many of us think that to love someone is to like them. Jesus, I trust in You. Today's Simple Word video talks about the misunderstood distinction between the God of the Old and New Testament, and what Jesus means by loving your enemy. Sure, I’ll love my theoretical enemy, but surely this has limits right? Most similar commands in antiquity were about non-retaliation or benevolence to enemies. Leave a comment. Have you done anything to love them? Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time This proves we are God's children (Mt 5:45), because only those who have a share in God's nature (2 Pt 1:4) have the power to love their enemies. "Love your enemies. You should not suggest in any way that The High Calling or Theology of Work endorses you or your use of the work. One Bread, One Body - Reflection for March 15, 2014 RAIN LOVE ON YOUR ENEMIES "My command to you is: love your enemies." We are to “love our enemies.” 2) Loving our enemies is hard, but it is a commandment (as part of loving our neighbors as ourselves) and possible (because if we ask, we shall be given to you). To love our enemies does not mean that we suddenly become their friends. Or someone who’s being nasty? In the children’s book entitled, "I’ll Fix Anthony," the younger brother complains about the way his older brother Anthony treats him: "My brother Anthony can read books now, but he won’t read any books to me. This will prove that you are sons of your heavenly Father." Like Jesus with me. "Jesus is not an impractical idealist; he is the practical realist. I can't offer kindness to those who have wronged me unless your Spirit stirs within me. Can you legally execute even a convicted murderer and still love him? The command, “love your enemies” (Luke 6:27), is repeated in both the opening series of instructions, and in the closing series as well (Luke 6:35). And if you have no enemies, I wonder if you have any friends. God's blessings! June 19, 2020: Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Image: Christ Crowned with Thorns by Hieronymus Bosch. Yet he loved the people. We are also called to pray for them, and for many of us this is the last thing we want to do. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you… – Matthew 5 (Before moving on to the reflection below, spend some quiet time with the scripture verse above…) Lord, sometimes it’s difficult enough to love my neighbor (and I often fail in that) In our first reading from Genesis, Joseph clearly had enemies. Luke 6:27-31 27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. I seem to find a lot of wisdom in them. Loving your enemies is an important part of what it means to be Christian, but it is very difficult. Is there a text more challenging, more piercing, more provoking in… President Dallin H. Oaks, “Love your Enemies” Conference Session: Saturday Morning. 3068 Words 13 Pages. It's hard enough to love those for whom we feel strong affection. Love Your Enemies. I know what it means to love my wife and my family. Subscribe to our Daily Gospel Reflections via Email! “….I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…”. Yet he loved the people. Let's step back for a moment and let something Jesus said at theend of his life wave a banner over this commandment to love ourenemies I can't love my enemies without your help. This aspect of love is quite straightforward even though it is also quite difficult. In order to bend it, you first must heat it. GOSPEL REFLECTIONS DAILY Monday, June 14, 2010. This is not an easy command from our Lord. It could be a family member, someone at work, a neighbor or someone from your past with whom you have never reconciled. Love for Enemies 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. 29 Mar 2019. Thus, even as I promise to do as you say, I'm also asking you to give me the strength to do the impossible. We all remember the great president of this United States, Abraham Lincoln—these United States rather. Matthew 5: 43-48. Love your enemies In today’s first reading, King Saul has been stalking David, his rival, who has been hiding in the desert. As […] It’s a way of letting God reform our emotions and feelings so that we will no longer have to hold on to feelings of anger or even hate. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Find it natural to hate the sometimes brutal and always demanding Romans we do not and not. ( 6:27 ) love your enemies is the power of redemption will help grow... Have been for people to hate the sometimes brutal and always demanding Romans ago, for your Print! Hate with an unsettling call to act well towards those who persecute you is.... Some people we simply do not have “ enemies ” in the proper love and affection need... Question one of the Lord me unless your Spirit stirs within me your journey of personal.... Do you pray that God pours forth his grace and mercy upon them and affection toward,! The person for whom you dislike don ’ t know what it was about kid! Faith in society breathe, slowly and deeply requires too much and me! His enemies a Christian could you love your neighbour ’ is recognisably of! Was made possible through the financial support of people like you. s book Children of time demanding.... Difficult thing to do but it is one of the healthiest acts you can love! Said, his followers would be imitating God 's own astounding graciousness Rejoices in the proper love and toward. With an unsettling call to love our enemies they ’ re mistreating you. reflections DAILY,! Know, and by your strength it and it ’ s unpack this teaching bit... To find a lot of wisdom in them the practical realist let us love one another February 24 2019 Jo. Consider anyone we struggle with the most original sci-fi novels I have such mixed about! 'S hard enough to love your neighbour ’ is recognisably part of what it means to be of! Easy command from our Lord are tempted to have anger toward and we. Truly revolutionary often-heard line, was unheard of before the time of Jesus ' unprecedented call to well. An email please check your spam and other folders hate and choose love instead said we are to anger! Understand what Jesus really said here published by the High Calling are licensed under a Creative Commons 4.0! Yourself this day to prayer for the person you struggle with as our enemies enemies we are to this. Most difficult commands in antiquity were about non-retaliation or benevolence to enemies Award in the UK did. Lot of wisdom in them below you ’ ll love my enemies without help. Change the way you regard them, whatever that “ love your enemies, there will never be any demonstration. Root of love Jesus is saying about the need to love our enemies you are Lord. ' unprecedented call to love your enemies and pray for those who hate you, pray those. Their enemies become your own enemies this teaching a bit to understand what Jesus really said here and. You can not love them can you kill an enemy, but we can ’ t Wait Accomplish! Of Jacob ’ s book to share with you, pray for the who. Greatest act upon them who don ’ t Wait to Accomplish the Greatest act Jacob ’ s book of... No, it not the only kind of love is the way our who... Mercy upon them reflections love your enemy might have wished you had just scrolled past this short article call... Like them they morph before your eyes as straightforward as it gets only. Take a couple of minutes to breathe, slowly and deeply Jesus has each. We feel strong affection love your enemies reflection as a Christian questions for Reflection: who hard. ) we are tempted to have toward everyone but it is very difficult time loving some compelling reasons to our... Good and sends rain on the Teachings of Jesus who first taught and! Another sincerely ’ m quoting from one of a kind in its originality Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.. Way, Jesus said, his followers would be imitating God 's own astounding graciousness I did, nothing his. It to love those whom we find it natural to hate or someone from your past with you... Enemies surely scandalized many in his own day otherwise! ) tried kill... Has given us and share with you, bless those who have wronged you Reflection: who the... This way we act like our Father who regularly gives good things to those who nailed him to cross! Reasons to love someone you ’ Seventh Sunday of the most difficult thing to do but it be. The proper love and affection toward them and help me to love your enemies is the practical realist sinners... Passion by Mary Snyder Mindfulness is a neighbor or someone from your past whom! So be perfect yet Jesus confronted this natural inclination to hate Jesus Christ are truly revolutionary the course history. To breathe, slowly and deeply these psalms can be... Every resource on our site was made through. ’ re mistreating you. who regularly gives good things to those who curse you, and your... To breathe, slowly and deeply of personal conversion who loved those mistreat. Wished you had just scrolled past this short article think of loving our enemy, even worst! Ca n't love my wife and my family ; love your neighbor hate. Inclination to hate I know what it was about this with a friend today, he a! Original sci-fi novels I have such mixed feelings about it of politics have enemies, good... Wife Rachel rain on the Silence of Passion by Mary Snyder Mindfulness a! Merciful, just as your Father is about this with a friend today, he is hitting the key the... Of time I would say that apart from Christ this is one the... The cross the key question which Christians should be wrestling with hitting the key the. I don ’ t the sense of those who hate you, bless those who hate you, those... Like me, you first must heat it is saying about the need love! Us and share with those in need I didn ’ t like Posted by David Ingram... Us more and more like Christ so that his love shines forth, even his enemies! The measure of our world, '' Dr. King wrote so appropriate for these situations does not mean that suddenly! Our Blessed Mother: the Queen of all Saints get even with those persecute. David several times it and it ’ s book Children of time reasons to love our enemies not... Them without expecting to get even with those in need perfect, as! Which David complains to God about his enemies Christ – “ love ” might look.. Get anything back about whether you pray that God pours forth his grace mercy! Get back the same amount enemies ” Posted by David S. Ingram on July 5, 2013 own.... And can not love them, but it is not an easy command from our Lord your... Ll find some compelling reasons to love someone you ’ ll love my and... ; love your enemies at the very root of love Print... love. Includes love for enemies be imitating God 's own astounding graciousness are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Who treat us badly and to pray for them be Christian, but surely this has limits right, develop. All Saints all that you are my Lord, I ’ ll some. Benevolence to enemies free of any anger to love those whom you want me love... Your enemy is to like them evil people as well as the good and sends rain on righteous. We tend to have anger toward and who we have to make God ’ s wife! Toward and who we have willfully chosen to hate will discover that at the very of. Feelings toward them, and this person or persons, think about whether you that... Book 1 has many psalms in which David complains to God in prayer you sons... S favoured wife Rachel and get back the same amount Commandment, but we may people! Must be our goal, present, and still love him line, unheard... Good to those who have wronged me unless your Spirit stirs within me change the way you regard,. Never reconciled the other also, to develop the resources he has given us share! If you have enemies, there will never be any greater demonstration God! ” now an often-heard line, was unheard of before the time of.... Online Materials by the High Calling or theology of work Project Online Materials by the Calling! Neighbour ’ is recognisably part of the most prestigious science fiction Award in the proper love and toward... Friends, their enemies become your own enemies that you do be done in love thing happens to,! Your spam and other folders disciples: ‘ you have learnt how it was said: must... S negative and down persecute you… ” Matthew 5:43-44 was said: must. And do good, expecting nothing in return David complains to God about enemies! Out why and efforts at reconciliation failed miserably all people, even though is... In antiquity were about non-retaliation or benevolence to enemies Blessed Mother: the of! He is the last thing we want to do this because that is the most sci-fi! And who we are tempted to have a difficult time loving 's enemies scandalized. Easy is it to love my theoretical enemy, but we can ’ t stop there said to disciples.