February 23 2025 —

Throughout this season of Epiphany, Jesus has described the governing principles of His kingdom being completely opposite to the governing principles of the world. This week Jesus asks us to befriend our enemies, to love those who hate us, and to repay evil with good. Worldly logic would say that is a recipe for being walked all over. Yet haven’t we seen this tactic work? When we were Christ’s enemies, He loved us—evento the point of death. He continues to repay our daily wrongs with the daily goodness of His mercy. In doing so, He won us for Himself.

Our Old Testament lesson gives us a real world lesson in what Jesus is telling us. Joseph forgave his brothers for the trauma of separating him from his father and family for many years. That forgiveness made it possible for his brothers to move forward with their lives and for their disfunctional family to be made whole again. And Saint Paul, living in brutal, pagan Rome, encourages belivers to operate of the principles of grace, forgiveness and humility.

Here is the epiphany we badly need to have. Following the strategy Jesus lays out—loving our enemies—is not a capitulation to evil. It is a means of conquering it.