Daily Worship

NO HATRED OR BITTERNESS

Norah Summers March 06, 2015 0 0

Luke 6:27-28

But I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
and pray for those who ill-treat you.

I am thinking about Edith Cavell
who died a brutal death 100 years ago. 

I am thinking about Edith Cavell,
a nurse,
whose life was devoted to caring and nurturing,
helping and healing others,
and who was thrust by circumstances
into a situation of no return.

I am thinking about Edith Cavell,
remembered not only for her shocking fate,
but for her words to her chaplain
the night before her execution –

“I realise that patriotism is not enough.
I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone”.

I am thinking about all the wars that have taken place since,
people still bound by hatred,
filled with bitterness,
re-opening old wounds,
remembering old hurts
stirring up old resentments,
imprisoned in cycles of revenge and reprisal.

God of love,
God of grace,
free us from this treadmill
and show us your way of love.