Hood loyalty is defined by familiarity. If you are from a certain area (ie. born and raised or grew up there) then people “know you”, and you are accepted. You are also expected to show pride in the neighborhood. So whether its “uptown” or “the hill”, “coast” or the “port”, the “gate” or “OP”, if you are “from there”, then you belong there. If you are not, then there are problems. Same issues existed in ancient Israel. Samaria vs. Judah, Pharisees vs. Sadducees, countryside vs. the city. People defined their neighbors by familiarity, and your enemy can easily be someone different, or simply from another place. Jesus turns all that on its head. “Love your enemies” means seeing someone you don’t know as the same as you. It means you don’t see differences, but you see commonalities. It means you find something to love about them. This has been my approach to gang violence, but it also wise for everyday living. What does “loving your enemy” mean for you today? …
Lord, I thank you for the abundant love you have for me, despite my sinfulness and shortcomings. . Help me to show the same love for everyone, including my “enemies”, in Jesus name, AMEN
