Some years ago a growth appeared on my abdomen. I didn’t pay any attention to it until it became inflamed and painful. At the time, my husband’s small business was in turmoil because of dishonesty on the part of one of the three partners. I realized I was resenting this partner.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount provided me with pertinent admonitions, notably all the references to the humility and compassion that should characterize our dealings with our neighbors. I didn’t need any more authority for this than Jesus’ command, “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” (Matthew 5:44).
I strove daily to look completely away from this individual’s personality, and affirm his spotless purity as a spiritual idea of God, made in His image and likeness. I wanted to be forgiving and selfless and trust God’s care for all of us.
