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By Jim Forest (Orbis, 2014)
By Jim Forest (Orbis, 2014)Jesus’ commandment to love our enemies might be the hardest to follow. It is a transformational directive that is at the heart of his instruction to do good to those who hate you. Jim Forest’s book Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment is an excellent introduction to this nonviolent love that Jesus demands of us.
Along with scripture, Forest draws upon his many years of involvement in working for peace, his relationship with noted peacemakers such as Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton, as well as literary greats like Dostoevsky and C. S. Lewis to make the case for nonviolence.
The first section, “Thistles and Figs,” deals with the theoretical underpinnings of love of enemies. Forest talks about the power of story and our need to confront the John Wayne narrative that leads to revenge and violence. He explores the concept of the enemy, recognizing that sometimes our greatest enemy is within each of us.
In “Nine Disciplines of Active Love,” Forest gives practical ways to begin to love your enemy: by praying, doing good, forgiving, turning the other cheek, refusing to take an eye for an eye, seeking nonviolent alternatives, practicing holy disobedience, and recognizing Jesus in others.
This is not a sentimental book of hearts and flowers, but one that fully recognizes how hard it can be to act in loving ways when hatred is in our hearts. Forest states that sometimes love of enemy means challenging them when you think they are wrong and not allowing evil to run rampant. In refusing revenge when we are wronged, we will find personal peace and someday bring about world peace.
Whether new to the concept or a longtime student of nonviolence, the reader will find practical suggestions for how to put Jesus’ commandment into action.
This review appeared in the March 2015 issue of U.S. Catholic (Vol. 80, No. 3, page 43).