Love your enemy. Anyone can love a friend.
For you Bible readers, you know that I just quoted Jesus Christ. For those of you who may not be Bible readers, but are living on this planet with the rest of us, you know how difficult it can be at times for folks to get along, let alone love (i.e., appreciate) each other.
The love I refer to is called "agape." It's love of a person as a person, a child of God, a fellow creature on this earth as are you and I.
Whenever I think of such things, I consider the following Jewish midrash, or folktale.
Two brothers equally shared in the work and harvest of the family farm. Each had his own granary. One night the single brother thought that it wasn't fair that he should split the crops with his married brother who also had two children. His brother's larger family required more provisions. Each night, he traversed the fields and deposited one sack of grain in his brother's granary.
But each morning that the brother arose, his granary contained the same amount of grain. Unbeknownst to him, his married brother fostered a similar feeling. That brother also believed that it was unfair that he should equally divide the dividends with his single brother, for his brother had no wife or family to care for him in his old age. He needed more supplies to see him through. He, as with his brother, was surprised to see that his barn was filled with the same amount of foodstuffs come morning's light.
One night the mystery was solved. As both brothers were moving grain to the other's barn, their paths crossed and they immediately knew what was happening. At that instant, they dropped their sacks and embraced. God declared that the first church be built at that spot and Solomon was said to construct his temple there.
Whether this is fact or fable is largely irrelevant. The moral of the story uplifts the power and glory of gifts and giving.
Although this tale speaks of (presumably) blood brothers, this story can also instruct us in our feelings towards all people. Aren't we all brothers and sisters of each other at the most basic level?
Although acting towards others based on such an attitude won't prevent disagreements, it may reduce destructive ones that are all too often predicated upon the false belief that our spouse, friends, relatives, or strangers on the street are all out to degrade or diminish us.
Give of yourself. Give to others. It's contagious, and people often feel compelled to reciprocate. Imagine how that will improve our lives on this earth.
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Fred W. Apelquist, III, M.Ed.
Approximately 445 words.
(C) June, 2006