We love our enemies by realizing that they are not totally bad and that they are not beyond the reach of God's redemptive love.

Yes, it is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies.

Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning. It is the lifting of a burden or the canceling of a debt.

It is impossible even to begin the act of loving one's enemies without prior acceptance of the necessity, over and over again, of forgiving those who inflict evil and injury upon us.

May we solemnly realize that we shall never be true sons of our heavenly Father until we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.