What Does it Mean to Love Our Enemies?

Today I am not feeling very loving. Today, I am filled with rage at the state of the world. An innocent mother was just shot dead by an agent of the government, the despot over the border has said [insert the latest craziest thing you’ve heard him say here], and

Love Our Enemies? Yes!

The idea of loving our enemies can be tough. Some might say it is easy in theory, or when one has not been deeply, glaringly, and unjustifiably wronged. It is not unusual, in human frailty, to want those who have hurt us deeply to experience pain too—to know what it

And Who Is My Enemy?

When thinking about what it means to love one’s enemy, I am immediately reminded of the man who asks Jesus, “and who is my neighbour?”[1] Ultimately, Jesus’ answer is not a description of what a neighbour is, but a command to “Go and do likewise”[2] to the Samaritan who went

February Issue: To Love Your Enemy

  Loving our enemies is one of Jesus’ teachings that is vital, yet difficult. At its core, loving one’s enemy demonstrates the belief that no person is entirely reducible to their worst acts, and that reconciliation is possible. The refusal to hate and dwell in vengeance preserves the integrity of

Hope is a Practice

Near the beginning of my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to go on a study tour to the Holy Land. We visited many churches, archaeological sites, and museums in both Palestine and Israel. We also talked with many people—Jewish, Muslim, and Christian—to learn about their lives. On one hand,

“All Our Hope On God Is Founded”

‘All my hope on God is founded; He doth still my trust renew. Me through change and chance He guideth, Only good and only true. God unknown, He alone Calls my heart to be His own.’ This hymn by Joachim Neander (English translation by Robert Bridges) is a most popular

What is Hope? Melissa Ritz’s Response

My simple answer to the question, “What is hope?” is that hope is a belief about the future that combines expectation and desire. In other words, it is a belief that a positive outcome is in the offing, with at least some assurance that the hoped-for outcome will indeed come

January Issue: Hope

  What is hope, and how does it shape our lives? As we return to the “Faith Matters” series, our three new authors—Melissa Ritz, Obren Amiesimaka, and Zoe Matties—seek to offer insight into this question. While all of them have their own unique perspectives on this subject, they directly or

A Year of Anglican Poetics

The 20th-century poet T.S. Eliot first gained popular attention with the publication of his poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Often cited as one of the key touchstones in the creation of the modernist style, Eliot began to develop a paradox of articulate inarticulacy that would pervade his

CURRENT ISSUE

Courage

In this issue, with the 121st Session of Synod coming up, Deb Buxton explains a bit about why Synod is important and what its goals are. Next, Anil Pinto-Gfroerer reminds us to encounter the world with a childlike wonder rooted in love. Then, Obren Amiesimaka uses biblical examples to ready us and inspire our courage. Finally, Donna Royer tells us of “the Birds,” a group of people at her former parish who broadened her definition of courage from a young age.