A Limit to "Love Your Enemies"?

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[@Sophisticated-sophie]

I’m a survivor of trafficking as a child, and I struggle with this every day. When I heard about Nassar’s attack, my first thought was, “Good, now can that guy go stab my abusers a little bit?” I caught myself and said a prayer. St. Bakhita is my confirmation saint because I admire her ability to love and forgive her kidnappers and traffickers. Thank you for addressing this very hard topic, Father. I’m praying for you.

[@highstrangeness1824]

You're not alone. Remember, the Bible also says those who thirst for justice shall be blessed by God. Proper justice, mind you not vigilante type justice. We can forgive and still want justice.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Thank you for your courage. What I've described is not easy and no one would fault you if you still harbored some anger. But remember that anger destroys us from the inside out. You are right to let it go.

[@themobbit9061]

I know it’s hard for victims to feel safe while their abuser roams the world. I’m reading The Book of Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu who lives thru Aparteid. It’s been helpful

[@highstrangeness1824]

@themobbit9061 thank you for the recommendation. Forgiveness truly isn't a problem for me and I pray for my enemies daily. It's the lack of justice here in the material that can be hard; hard not to ask why, but when I do, I'm reminded why not me... Exposing the darkness purifies it. It also stops the occult from having legal ground to continue to harrass you. Edit- God allowed me to see certain things so I could testify and witness about them. I see ehats truly happening- genocide, trafficking, euthanasia and it's all here in America. It's difficult. Ty for listening.

[@themobbit9061]

@@highstrangeness1824 All great thoughts. I agree. Why not me? It seems that suffering is perhaps the main experience of existence, therefore it must have the most meaning if we can use it as Jesus taught - with acceptance, love and forgiveness - hard and long a journey that can be!

[@boogolp]

It reminds me of Rudolf Höß. Höß was the commander of Auschwitz concentration camp for many years and directly oversaw all the killing that happened at the camp for many years. He tried to hide after the war ended of course but was quickly found by the British who abused & tortured him. At first he didn't understand why he was persecuted at all since he saw himself as only another wheel in the machine and that he only followed his orders. However after he was handed over to Polish authorities for his trial, in the Polish prisons they actually treated him well. "My conscience compels me to make the following declaration. In the solitude of my prison cell, I have come to the bitter recognition that I have sinned gravely against humanity. As Commandant of Auschwitz, I was responsible for carrying out part of the cruel plans of the 'Third Reich' for human destruction. In so doing I have inflicted terrible wounds on humanity. I caused unspeakable suffering for the Polish people in particular. I am to pay for this with my life. May the Lord God forgive one day what I have done. I ask the Polish people for forgiveness. In Polish prisons I experienced for the first time what human kindness is. Despite all that has happened I have experienced humane treatment which I could never have expected, and which has deeply shamed me. May the facts which are now coming out about the horrible crimes against humanity make the repetition of such cruel acts impossible for all time. He left the Catholic Church in his early adulthood but returned days before his execution. A priest heard his confession and administered Holy Communion to him days before he was hanged.

[@TheCelestialhealer]

Thank you for sharing🙏🏼

[@emmetranous9682]

I’m discerning became a Franciscan priest pray for me please

[@marcihf217]

Praying

[@iciek]

IMO Carmelites are the more authentic and sincere.

[@anacristinasimoesvilar6588]

Paz et Bonum ! 🙏🙏 from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@PaganGamer729]

I'll keep you in prayer until your decisions is made or you are ordained.

[@kathebridges4736]

May the Holy Spirit guide you . Praying for your vocation.

[@mrs.y]

Father this is tough. You picked a great example. I struggle with this when I think of people I disagree with, but men like this one are the toughest to consider worthy of any kind of peace. I'm going to pray on this today. I know I wasn't cheering when I heard he was stabbed, but I suffered from I think the worse sin of indeference when I heard it. I was neither "Oh great" nor was I "Oh that's terrible". I was just "Meh". I want to stop feeling "Meh" when others suffer, regardless of who they are. Pray for me.

[@GrGal]

I believe a more reclusive and silent life can help a lot with that. When I feel that feeling you just described, I know for myself i’m way too fed with all the noise and busy life around. Silence or at least some detachment from this world along with prayer elevates me back closer to Him, and then natural love and care flow much more fluently through me.

[@debralittle1341]

When you do it enough it becomes much easier

[@PilpelAvital]

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” - G. K. Chesterton

[@reignellwalker9755]

why you calling him father god is our heavenly father

[@James_Wisniewski]

​@@reignellwalker9755What do you call your biological father?

[@falarpeloscabelosbylovelyp76]

God I am a sinner... help me to love my enemies... who am I to condemn

[@drycleanernick7603]

Who am I to condemn. Most important line. Besides the fact you’re repenting my fellow brother.

[@joenathan8059]

Here's a little orthodox prayer we use in our church. "Lord Jesus Christ,son of God,have mercy on me,a sinner."

[@kathycarlson7947]

I'm a survivor of parental abuse--my mother. There were times when I wanted revenge, badly, but I no longer do. thank GOd. when I saw the news about Nasser, all I could think was how awful it was. I'm with you, Father. I don't understand God's love at all, but it extends to everyone, or nobody gets it.

[@dorothypropson3724]

Yikes, I really needed to hear this. I very recently found out that a man that I trusted and looked up to (I even called him uncle) sexually abused multiple girls and even raped someone I knew. It has caused so much pain and nearly torn my community apart. I’ve gone back and forth between trying to forgive and wanting to punch him in the face and when I try to pray for him it usually becomes something along the lines of “Lord help him to see how much pain he caused and feel guilty”. At this point I’ve just been asking the Lord to help me want to forgive.

[@TrixRN]

That’s a great start & prayer for him. If you can refrain from hate & pray for his repentance, what more do you need to do to love him? You can yearn for justice, nothing wrong with that just not revenge.

[@uselessstrawberry737]

and what do you feel towards the victims? are you there for them, pray for them? do you do anything for them? dont let him become the main victim of his actions towards others, taking center stage. he is not that important. why not let him go, and give all the time you would spend on him, on his victims.

[@cassimosher]

​@@TrixRNthis is what I was thinking. Praying for him to understand the harm he has caused and feel guilty is so very close to praying for his repentance and salvation. What a mercy for his soul! If the best you can do right now is pray to be able to forgive, that's okay. God will honor your desire to please him; I cannot imagine that this is a prayer that will go unanswered, especially if you persevere. ❤

[@r.d.whitaker5787]

@@uselessstrawberry737 You nailed it. It seems like the needs of the victims always get ignored.

[@Baeprints]

For what it’s worth praying for humans to have empathy for others and to recognize their intentional actions caused isn’t a bad thing… From a Catholic perspective this would ideally cause him to have atonement and seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation for his sins. May God send him to the priest who can stomach such sins-maybe that’s why priests avoid having people go into detail. Regardless, I pray you keep your children away from him.

[@MackAlano]

As a survivor of significant abuse, and I don’t always agree with everything you say Father… I couldn’t agree more ❤️ if we desire pain upon those who caused so much pain, we just hurt ourselves more. The biggest flex against something that hurts is to love. It took some time to get to this point of view, but to love rather than to hate is the biggest step to healing ❤️ thank you for sharing this brave message Father ❤️

[@atanas-nikolov]

He does deserve all the bad that's coming his way. That is a fact. The question is - should he get it? No. That's the Christian response. That's the point of Christianity, that as sinners we deserve everything crashing upon our heads. It's just that God has called us to not dispense judgement that belongs to Him. Mostly because we have to start with ourselves.

[@stanyu2029]

Differentiating justice from vengeance on the plane of human affairs is hard, but I can believe that God discerns which deathbed conversions result from true repentance and which are motivated by an desire to secure freedom from consequences in the hereafter; therefore, ultimately, justice will be served.

[@Murph_gaming]

I am reminded of a quote from Batman Begins when Rachel is talking to Bruce. "Justice is about harmony. Revenge is about you making yourself feel better."

[@antoniasobocki1724]

Demanding that people suffering psychological injuries forgive their abusers is abusive in itself. It is a boundary violation in the process of recovery. It is re-abusive. Don't do this. Instead care for people with these injuries, believe them, prioritize them and refuse to compromise in the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.

[@r.d.whitaker5787]

You nailed it 👏 Thanks.

[@barbarapiazza-georgi3831]

No. Quite the contrary. Forgiveness helps, actually it seals, the healing process. You are right, though, that it cannot be DEMANDED. It must come from within, and it will generally take time. But it can and should be gently suggested, at an appropriate point during therapy..

[@espanolgoddess912]

You can't make someone do something they don't want to, so no, you can't demand, you can suggest. Because you will find peace in forgiveness, you would be doing it more so for yourself than your enemies if you look at it that way.

[@MouseCheese2010]

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

[@MatrixRefugee]

Yeah, well, I want to see some major league repaying in this life, not just in the afterlife.

[@br.m]

Why would Jesus say what he did in Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Shouldn't Jesus have said something like "He who take the sword will be loved and forgiven by man and then God will exact vengeance later if God sees it fit"?

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

@@br.mJesus is forbidding St. Peter from disobeying the law, as well as chastising him from interfering with his mission.

[@br.m]

@@TitusCastiglione1503 no

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

@@br.m …. ok, well “no” right back at you.

[@charlesmcdermott6139]

I think that the biggest problem here is that we mix up “love” and “like”. “Liking” is all warm and fuzzy. “Loving” is far deeper. It recognizes that all of us are loved by God. It has the hope that all of us will wind up with God in Heaven. It hopes for repentance for ourselves and everyone else. This is a very tough post, but true!

[@phredharvey7428]

AMEN AMEN AMEN

[@deb9806]

Mother Angelica used to say if we wait for feelings nothing would get done.

[@Sean-tb2zz]

This video for example has such a nice sentiment on the surface, but if I stop to think about it logically for a moment I can't help but thinking Father Casey's limit is to love the sexual abuser and not the violent offender, not the system that put them together. He loves the man who abused innocent people and not the one who attacked a guilty party. He's with the system of oppression and against the one subjected to it doing his time in the cell. Creepy clergy -- and I'd think I were biased towards the Church, believe it or not, wanting to repair its reputation. Am I just getting the wrong message somehow? Perhaps we should not blame either side and love each equally if we want to call ourselves Christian?

[@deb9806]

@@Sean-tb2zz I think that is what Father Casey is talking about There are many examples just in the United States of families and people who forgave the worst of the worst because that is what Christ told them to do. Most found that it was very freeing to not have the hate eat their soul. One dad got to know the man who murdered his daughter, I think by accident, but I’m not sure. He basically wasn’t an evil person, but someone who did an evil thing, but that wasn’t his life. I find reading the stories very inspiring, even if I can’t quite fully grasp the sentiment all the time

[@davidwarren7279]

Whilst I largly agree with you, I think it's important to understand how the victims feel, and not judge them for feeling angry or hateful towards those who have greatly wronged them.

[@JamesLewis98]

The same Jesus who spoke the words "love your enemies" also prescribed the death penalty for rapists. These are not contradictory positions nor is the latter abrogated by the former.

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

In what verse does he say this? I’m intrigued.

[@JamesLewis98]

@@TitusCastiglione1503 Deuteronomy 22:25, see also Matthew 5:17.

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

@@JamesLewis98 I don’t see that that automatically proves your case….

[@marcosibona2077]

This is hard, but this is GOSPEL! Thank you, Father!

[@hackman669]

Give it up for the preacher. This guy is awesome🤗

[@jayess2119]

Like in the time of Jesus Himself: ''Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this [about Eucharist: ''I am the true bread that came down from heaven''] they said 'This teaching is hard. Who can accept it?' '' John 6:60

[@Undedproduction]

He has reaped what he has sown. Had he not done these things, he would not be in this situation. However, what he "deserves" has nothing to do with it. Wicked people profit off of exploiting the innocent, children get sick with cancer and die. People will cry "they don't deserve this," but nobody deserves or is owed anything, really. We all suffer and face challenges and trials and consequences. In this man's case, what has happened is a consequence of his actions, one which was a foreseeable possibility when he willingly took those actions. Nothing more. If I stepped off of a balcony, I wouldn't expect anyone to be surprised that I fell. Forgiveness is available to everyone, though, and he's welcome to take it. I hope he does. However, we must all live with the things we've done and the consequences they carry, even when we repent. I'm reminded of Jeffery Dahmer, who did some of the most heinous crimes in recent history. He's said to have repented in prison and excepted Christ, and I really believe he did. However, he knew that he could not undo his crimes and expressed to his family that he would accept whatever happened to him. He was killed in prison by a reportedly schizophrenic man that said God had told him to kill Dahmer. Dahmer did not deserve to be killed, but he accepted that his actions may bring this upon him. I'm grateful that he had the opportunity to repent before that time, however. As for Nassar, I am not happy. I am not sad. I don't feel satisfied, nor that justice has been done. I don't feel this was deserved or undeserved. It's just a consequence of his imprisonment for his crimes. May God's will be done, whatever that may be.

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

The hardest ones to love are the ones we see or remember and have done us wrong personally…it’s easy to forget some face on the news…it’s much harder to love an enemy who has abused us or hurt us physically and emotionally directly…an abusive ex or parent or someone who hit us and disabled us or even killed our child or spouse in a dui incident or something less dramatic. We must learn to love that enemy also. Those are the hardest.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

People who do hideous things should not be hated and we should pray for them. On the other hand, we should defend against him and defend society against him (or her). Part of that, is protecting them from being harmed unjustly.

[@pilarrusso9883]

He should expend his all life in jail so will not hurt anyone anymore.

[@LightningJackFlash]

May The Mighty Lord keep you with us as long as possible Father Casey.

[@MouseCheese2010]

I’m still amazed that Jeffrey Dahmer repented and was baptized before his murder. Really shows that even the most lost can repent.

[@marcihf217]

What a beautiful video/teaching. Thank you for sharing this Father Casey.

[@Gonzo_-zb5mf]

My Dad always said "If any of us makes it to Heaven, he/she would be astonished of which people we´ll meet there: Usual sinners who repented and suddenly a face we couldn´t imagine seeing here (in the magnitude of Hitler or Stalin) because he/she became aware of his/her sins, asking for forgiveness just before death". My Dad is still alive and for many years, I didn´t understand these words. Now at 43, I do. Kind regards from Easrern Austria, Mathew

[@RainbowMuse2]

The love and forgive everyone line has also contributed to abuse, even to child abuse within the church. What do you think the priests who protected child abusing priests thought they were doing? What do you think victims of spousal abuse think they're doing when they forgive endlessly and stick around for more abuse? Exactly that. This subject requires a great deal more time and detailed theological exposition to properly cover....much more than is possible within a ten minute video.

[@Cosette336]

This is so true. My childhood priest molested a young boy. A letter was published that a bishop wrote to the boy encouraging him to be like God and forgive that priest and not so subtly implying that there was no need to get police involved because it’s better for the soul to respond with love and forgiveness. Pure manipulation.

[@Dave99925]

The Bible says put evil away from you quickly.

[@26Bluegb]

I hope his victims are doing okay and this doesn't trigger another round of pain in them.

[@bernerandgoldenmom7143]

Oh, you tackled a tough one here, Fr. Casey! Kudos to you! I struggled with this teaching for many years. Let's face it--sins of others make us angry, whether they're committed against us directly or not. What got me past it was realizing that my anger was just another offense to God, and hadn't He suffered enough already? Hard as it is to do, after praying for the victims, I pray for redemption of the sinner, not for them so much, but for God; that the offense to Him is removed by the sinner's repentance. Maybe it's a selfish thing, but to me, what matters to God matters to me, regardless of whether I understand it. I leave judgement to Him. He's much better at it than I'll ever be! 😉🙏✝

[@luiscid1900]

​@@michaelmurdock4607Even St. Paul got his redemption

[@TacticalTerry]

Righteous anger (within reason) isn't necessarily bad. Sounds like you handled the situation admirably.

[@bernerandgoldenmom7143]

Thanks! It took a while!! 😅@@TacticalTerry

[@nancyjuarez3255]

Beautifully said, and so true. I was abused by my father and uncle. I have forgiven them both, one I don't see but my father I love with all my heart. He has changed with the help and guidance of Our Lord and I am so thankful and have so much peace in my heart. I want my father to go to heaven with me. Thank you Fr. Casey for addressing this.

[@Cowboybubba21]

You’re a strong woman of God may he continue to bless you for following his scripture 🙏

[@TrangTran-r7g]

You are one kind Soul and a true follower of Christ. God bless you always.🙏🙏🙏

[@kimberlyh0108]

Thank you for sharing this. I am not a Catholic, but an evangelical, and though I disagree with you on some theological matters, I’m right with you on this. We have value because of whose we are. Anyone who hasn’t watched Rachel Denhollander‘s victim impact statement should do so. I’m paraphrasing her, but she says that God’s ability to forgive Larry is what makes the gospel of Christ so sweet. Because there is grace, hope, and mercy where none should be found. The Larry’s crimes are despicable, there is no sin too big for God to forgive.

[@Laurelin70]

@@sergesavard636 We don't "presume": it's stated in the Gospel. What we cannot "presume" is the ultimate destiny of the sinner's soul, but without doubt God's offering his mercy to him too. Then it's to him to accept and repent or to refuse and be damned.

[@angeldilao1858]

I was abused when I was child frm molested in a young child until with a friend to use me in darkness but instead of hate them I forgive the and I go confession and pray and I starting forgive my self and it was beautiful peace I get forgive people who hurt me

[@phoenixshadow6633]

I think it's that people think mercy and justice are completely opposites. If purgatory is any indication, they go hand-in-hand.

[@elizabethteo]

I think we have all heard about the need to love our enemies at some point from the pulpit. But I think the complexity of forgiveness needs to be shared. I work with abuse victims who stay in abusive relationships because they interpret this passage as needing to constantly “forgive” their abuser after each abuse, n hence their “forgiveness” allows the abuse to continue. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we allow people to continue hurting us. Forgiveness is a process n a journey. I had a teen once come up to me to ask me to pray for her to forgive her father who she had just discovered the week before had another family outside her own. She was trying to jump to forgiveness n struggling to forgive because it was still so raw n she wouldn’t give herself permission to acknowledge that she is angry with her father, that she feels hurt n betrayed, n allowing Jesus to hold that. It is ok that forgiveness takes time, n we don’t need to expect ourselves to be able to do it instantly, n we don’t need to beat ourselves up if we can’t. N the last thing I learnt… is that forgiveness is grace. It is something that can only be done with the grace of God n not on our own. When I was in my late teens, I was emotionally, mentally n sexual abused almost daily by a leader from my church community for over three years. Took me over 15 years after to have the courage to make a police report but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence (as is the case of many sexual assault… it’s his word against yours). I wanted “vengeance”. I wanted him to rot in jail because of what he did to me, n how I continue to struggle with the psychological damage of what he did to me, even till today. But I couldn’t even get that. N I would go for confession each month n tell my confessor that I still can’t forgive him. N one day my confessor just said: if u can’t forgive then don’t. N my spiritual director told me that forgiveness is a grace from God, not something I can try to do on my own. N so, just offer that desire to God, n pray for the grace, rather than try to do it on my own. I eventually saw a documentary on the inhuman conditions of prison, n I realised that despite what he did to me, I didn’t desire him to go through that. N I dun desire that he be thrown in hell either. But I wished that he at least acknowledged how much pain he caused me (post abuse, i went into severe depression, I have over 200 cuts n 100 stitches, n attempted suicide 3 times). n was at least sorry. Took me over 20 years after the abuse to now come to the point that I dun even need him to be sorry. (Jesus forgave the people who killed him from the cross, even when they weren’t sorry… at least not at the point of the crucifixion). I can now say that I can go on living my life, even if he is never sorry. The damage he did has controlled my life for so long, but i don’t want to let him control it anymore. But all of this was a journey of over 20 years… n only by the grace of God. I guess I would love to hear your story Fr Casey, of how u struggled with forgiving your enemy. Cos it is easy to preach from a “theoretical” point of view. But living it, is a different story. N maybe it can help people who struggle to forgive to be more gentle with themselves n rely on the grace of God.

[@archangel3213]

Dear Father Casey, you are so young and WISE; thank you for making this world a better place!👍🥰

[@jatnarivas8741]

"He doesn't deserve..." Oh yes he does. In fact, in God's book, he deserves to go spend the eternity in a state of the most extreme imaginable and unimaginable suffering. Same with fornicators, thieves, and so on. It's not about what he deserves. It's about what God wants for him and his potential: conversion and his potential for penance and holiness. That's why he should live, and not because he deserves any different from eternal hell. In fact, that's what God in His Justice will allow for him if he doesn't convert and repent.

[@Brother_Piner]

But there must be punishment here on earth. Nasser’s stabbing was horrible because it was not done with justice in mind, but anger. On this earth we should render unto all what they are owed in whatever way we can. For child molesters, Jesus is clear: it’s death. It’d be better for those to hang a millstone around their neck and be cast into the sea than to cause little ones to sin. But that kind of thing must be done in a court of law. Jesus did not teach that actions are without consequence, or that you shouldn’t serve your sentence. He taught to forgive them at treat them fairly in sentencing. Truly only a Christian nation would ask a jury to consider only the facts, and gather an unbiased jury. For even in punishment there must be love. For allowing someone to see the graveness of their actions is a form of love. For the personal aspects, though, dealing with opinions and day-to-day thoughts, Fr. Casey’s words ring true

[@fordshaw5833]

There are a whole lot of ideas in play concerning justice, punishment, revenge, law and order. Then, there are Christian teachings about mans right relationship to one another. Too often forgiveness is seen as a blanket claimed by a disingenuous sinner to shield them from taking responsibility from actions or sins and atoning for them. The Doctor here was caught, tried and convicted. There was no confession of guilt, neither was there an intention to atone for his wrongdoing. Too often a brazen criminal demands forgiveness for wrongs they have done in order to escape responsibility and punishment for their crimes. Forgiveness in my view is an attitude that enables a victim to get control over the helpless feelings the crime committed against them has and move past it. If a victim is still craving vengeance after the criminal is suitably punished it shows the criminal still has a hold on them. This state of mind brings bad things.

[@John_Childs]

Keep it coming. Your work means so much.

[@margottago]

As a Buddhist, I found this video so fascinating and heartwarming. Although our beliefs do not involve any God(s), Buddhists arrive at this same outcome in a different, yet similar way. In Buddhism we have a concept known as Metta (in English, "loving kindness"), and the Buddha taught that no matter how someone else treats you or others, even if they cause you grievous harm, we should subdue any feelings of hatred and instead practice metta towards them as we do for all other beings. At first, it seems really difficult or even impossible to practice kindness and good will towards those who have wronged us so severely, but the Buddha did not mean that this is something we can just do overnight; with time and continuous practice, we can one day reach this point. There's a wonderful sutta (one of our types of scriptures) that explains how we can work our way up to it, that I often like to remember. To paraphrase it: When you feel hatred arise, instead develop good will and kindness towards that person. If you cannot do that, instead develop compassion for that person. If you cannot do that, instead develop neutral feelings towards that person. If you cannot do that, instead pay no mind or attention to that person at all. If you cannot do that, instead focus on yourself, and remember that letting hatred dwell inside you will only make you feel worse. So subdue your hatred for the benefit of yourself, not for the benefit of the other person. _(Aghatavinaya Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya 5.161)_ Videos like this exemplify why I love learning about religions other than my own. Thank you Fr Casey!

[@margottago]

@kingbradley9066 I am also Theravadin, thanks in part to the wonderful Thai people! I was raised in a very atheist, anti-religious Australian family, but lived in Thailand for a while as a teenager where I was introduced to Buddhism. As I grew up and understood more about myself, I felt very called to Buddhism; it's hard to describe, but I feel like it filled a hole in my life that had thus far been empty. After learning a lot about the many different branches, I decided that Theravada aligned most closely with my own beliefs. I'm 28 now and have been practising for 10 years, and I will never look back :)

[@rubystone6736]

I turned away from Buddhism because I couldn't love everybody and didn't believe everyone is good.

[@emmanuelt8405]

I'm going, to be honest, I feel nothing when it comes to these sorts of things. I do not hate that man but I still feel no sadness or pity for anything wrong done to him. I have become desensitized to all these things. I want Justice and his rotting in jail is justice and a lonely death would be the best he deserves from God. You say you believe in the sanctity of life I sure hope you are in favor of the death penalty (for more egregious cases of course) because anything less would be an insult to the life lost to those acts.

[@vincewarde]

Amen brother! Matt 6:12 - "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." We forgive both to be forgiven and because we have been forgiven. Eph 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Eph 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. We forgive because bitterness and anger are destructive to our souls. Rom 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Rom 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Rom 12:20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We forgive because vengeance does not belong to us and neither does justice - both belong to God and we are not Him! So, this evangelical minister stands with you on that hill and I also would be willing to die there!

[@highstrangeness1824]

Amen. Daily rosaries are a great help. I've slacked off in the last month, I need to be more consistent. I pray God forgives me.

[@kevinlove4356]

In my opinion, one of our enemies who best exemplifies this principle is Nazi SS Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Kappler. He is shown in the excellent film "The Scarlet and the Black" where his role is played by the brilliant actor Christopher Plummer. Kappler was the head of police in Nazi-occupied Rome during the Second World War. He committed many heinous crimes, ranging from perpetrating the Ardeatine Massacre to deporting Jewish people to death camps. Kappler was opposed by a priest based in Vatican City, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who was sent by Pope Pius XII to try to rescue victims of persecution. Thanks to O'Flaherty's brilliant use of disguises, he builds up an escape network that hides in the Vatican and/or smuggles across Allied lines Jewish people, escaped Allied prisoners of war and political prisoners of the Nazi regime. O'Flaherty's efforts come to the attention of Kappler, who unsuccessfully tries to assassinate him. As Rome is being liberated by Allied Forces, Kappler is worried that his wife and children will be the victim of reprisals by Italian partisan forces. So he reaches out to his enemy, O'Flaherty, and asks him to rescue his family. O'Flaherty initially refuses this request. After the war, Kappler is put on trial for Crimes Against Humanity and sentenced to life in prison. He learns that his wife and children were smuggled over the border to safety in Switzerland by O'Flaherty. As the subsequent years go by, O'Flaherty visits Kappler in prison every month. 14 years later, in 1959, he repents and is baptized by O'Flaherty. It is my opinion that Herbert Kappler does an excellent example of showing why Jesus commands us to love our enemies. Acts of love, such as rescuing his family and visiting him in prison, led him to repent of his sins and to be baptized. "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." Ezekiel 33:11.

[@juanc.fortunofas9224]

This reflection is (rightly) focused mostly on the fundamental principle that loving the worst of enemies never justifies rejoicing in their misfortunes. Meanwhile, let’s remember that “loving our enemy” does not equal condoning the enemy’s hurtful deeds, nor allowing evil to happen without consequences. That’s not love either. You briefly touch on that, yet I’m sure many will benefit from deeper look. I look forward to that Part 2 if this reflection.

[@56Tyskie]

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.

[@lukasmakarios4998]

Our Good Lord, Jesus, says we should: a. love your enemies b. do good to those who hate you c. pray for those who persecute you d. give to all who ask e. go the extra mile f. turn the other cheek g. help those who suffer h. be wise as serpents & gentle as doves So, how do we do this without foolishly setting ourselves up, inviting them to take advantage? a. help them to build a home in their land b. send alms for the needy, not tribute c. pray for their conversion d. support missionary doctors e. set your best examples f. freely share the Gospel g. treat them with respect, not deference h. welcome those who wish to learn Open immigration, without expecting them to assimilate, is a dangerous policy. If they come here and intend to continue to despise us, despite our welcome, we should refuse to let them stay. I think you know to whom I refer.

[@freshrockpapa-e7799]

Not that there are true Christians and fake Christians, but this is one of the ways I think we can see who has actually understood the message and who hasn't. I agree 100% with everything you said, and so should every Christian.

[@coindorni]

When I listen to the phrase "love your enemy", I don't think the best interpretation is "don't do anything against your enemies, as it constitutes vengeance". If the enemies in question are evil, they shall certainly be opposed as we should, of course, be opposed to evil. At the same time, however, this opposition shouldn't be done from a place of hate but from one of love. We hate evil, and love evil-doers as we shall will their good (communion with God), but love obviously doesn't mean people shouldn't face consequences or that these consequences are purely utilitarian. If a child misbehaves, his mother loves him no less if she punishes him for it, and this is not vengeance or hate in any way; retribution is not the same as vengeance. For those reasons, I think it is possible for a catholic to ultimately support policies such as the death penalty, which, mind you, have only been condemned recently. Moreover, Pope Benedict XVI said that diversity of opinion was allowed on this subject (while not allowed on topics like euthanasia and abortion).

[@RangersMavsCowboys]

Fr Casey I was one of those on your Twitter post who said I had no sympathy. That was me being in the heat of the moment. I’ve since calmed down.

[@deb9806]

Very human. When we had killers break into a home in CT and kill 2 teens and their mom, many wanted death, but they got life. I asked an older priest if I should pray for them too and he said in confession to concentrate on family. I think that was his human, raw moment. We try to rise above it.

[@yato329]

"For the wages of sin is death..."Romans 6:23. perhaps we shouldn't exude glee at his demise, but surely we should not also mourn.

[@AallthewaytoZ2]

"What if we say to the people who hurt us _'I know you hurt me but I am going to show you love. anyway. I am going to let my heart break for you because you don't only realize how lost you are. It is not hate I feel for you but sadness. You are worth so much more than this.'_ If we were to act like this, it is possible we could change their entire world. We free them from the chains that bind them. Show them a completely different way of living." This can be strong healing and powerful. It can also make you stronger as a person. But it needs to be tempered with caution. There are people with illnesses, for example, psychopathy that are not amenable to this and will instead devour you and your family. Not in the abstract but in real life. I have met evil people.

[@MrCB555]

One thing I find it necessary to pray for (and I need to do it more) is the repentance and conversion of world leaders - Putin, Xi, AND Biden. Yes, I said Biden as well. God does not want anyone's soul to perish.

[@serpentsepia6638]

I'm not as nice as you are. I can understand where you're coming from, but at the same time children should be safe from abusers. That guys abused roughly 500 girls, so sorry if I could care less about his well being.

[@deb9806]

I am in awe of families, parents, who forgive their child's killer, in part for religious reasons, but they also say that hate does nothing for their healing. The Amish forgave the man who shot their children in school and visited his wife. I tear up at the thought of it.

[@BiornBear]

I power for the power to forgive because it is a power given by God but I can’t feel bad for him because I have granddaughters and if one of them we’re his victim then I may be in prison for doing what the other inmate did to him. Sorry, I know that’s in no way right so I pray for the power to live.

[@AlphariusXXth]

Saint Maria Goretti (spelling hard, american) is a story I aspire to. Her mother, forgiving such a man, I am yet capable of doing so

[@dovie2blue]

Real forgiveness is wanting everyone to be in heaven with us.

[@SKBottom]

We can forgive him and God can forgive him and accept him into his Kingdom. That doesn't mean he still shouldn't pay in this world. Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he would be with him in Heaven. Jesus didn't let him off the cross. As for euthanasia, even as a priest, I'm not sure you've been around very many terminally ill people. There comes a time that prolonging life is cruelty.

[@Adrian-si1gz]

Yeah forgiveness is not no accountability or not being punished for the crime

[@krisanderson1492]

I basically agree with everything you said here. I myself had some of the same vengeful thoughts as many other people did and I know I was thinking wrong. I do think there is a little room for nuance here. To give an example from my own life a few years ago someone close to my family was addicted to drugs and abusing his kids. Not in the same way Larry Nassar was. He was hitting them and leaving marks often enough that the family and the school started to notice. A few friends and I preyed about it and what we did wasn’t perfect, but was effective. I got aggressive with him… basically bullying him and told him if he hits the kids I’d hit him. Then we all dragged him to 12 step meeting sometimes kicking and screaming. It was a difficult time. Life for him and those kids has gotten much better since. Of course stabbing people is wrong. Of course! It’s crazy to me that it even needs to be said. However tough love in situations like these is often necessary and more effective than police or jail. “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:2

[@taylorcrain1821]

I do believe humans can forfeit their rights as humans. Nassar has lost these rights. While mercy and forgiveness are wonderful tools that can unify people, mercy does not exist without the hangman. Nassar’s inappropriate remark that resulted in the stabbing is a clear conviction that he has not repented for his sins. His execution is justified.

[@taylorcrain1821]

I’d like to further say that we love our enemies do to their ability to make us stronger. The Old Testament is almost entirely stories of men and Israel becoming weak through their prosperity and lack of enemies. We must turn the other cheek when our pride is at stake. When lives are at stake, the wicked must be put to the sword.

[@GalaxiaTokyo]

Sadly, we don't follow Christ's morality, we just follow the world's morality and try to fit Christ around it.

[@thatdude_93]

It's difficult for me to effectively communicate this position when I'm talking to people who themselves have been victims of abuse or other similar traumatic events. I sometimes feel like I'm making light of their suffering

[@poor0011]

Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

[@pd7713]

Love has many definitions in the Bible. I wish the church would be more succient about its meaning in the phrase "Love your enemies." There has to be a better word to describing "not to hate."

[@HomoEucharistica]

"Hate" is by very definition the lack of love, just like evil is by very definition the lack of goodness and darkness is the lack of light. Christians, if they want to be parts in the body of Christ, are to love all people as Christ Himself loves all people (and gave His life for the life of the world), for He is their Master and Lord.

[@dawnlapka3782]

This really sick guy's attack was pretty sick, too. God's a better judge than I am. Neither situation is good.

[@fallenkingdom-zd8xh]

Fr. Casey, I heard about this ex-Muslim who became Christian named Nabeel Qureshi and he wrote three books you might be interested in. -Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity -Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward -No God But One-Allah or Jesus That man helped strengthen my Christian faith while I was questioning it and I thought you should know about him. Maybe you could do a video on those books? If you see this, please reply.

[@Life-er6mq]

I second this, I’ve been seeing his videos and I appreciate how he respectfully debates non-Christians about our faith

[@indykkowalski9366]

I third this this

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

I fourth it. Nabeel was a great gift to the Church.

[@amberhyland]

This is a thought provoking video. My key thought is I appreciate that invitation, "Catholics, if you're going to say these things can you also admit you disagree with Jesus?" My question is, is there room in the church for those who, in their journey, have periods of disagreeing with Jesus? All too often I see a desire for conformity at the earliest possible opportunity and it often robs people of an organic faith journey in which they wrestle, grapple and question the faith as any critically thinking adult ought to. Can we reach a point as a church where we give people the space to disagree with Jesus for a time and not disregard them, invalidate them or tarnish them with a reputation that they're untrustworthy as a Catholic?

[@indykkowalski9366]

5:50 you can’t compare our sin the sin of normal Christian’s to that of a child predator

[@indykkowalski9366]

Sorry woman abuser

[@michaelkahl4940]

👏🏻 yeah let’s debate on how to love our enemies!!

[@benbowers1801]

Father, I see your point in this especially when you brought up Jesus forgiving those that crucified him, however, the Bible speaks openly about capital punishment being okay for certain instances. Not to argue, but are we really “wrong” or bad Catholics if we support the death penalty under certain extreme situations? (Serial killer, murder of a cop, to name a few).

[@ezrea9313]

I'm a CSA and DV survivor. For the longest time I wanted to hurt the people who had hurt me. I wanted them to suffer like they made me suffer. One day I spoke to a dear cousin of mine, a theologian and a former priest himself, and he said that loving our enemies doesn't necessarily holding love for them in our hearts; sometimes it means giving up the hate we hold there instead. Those words helped me start on my path to healing, and I think of them whenever I hear of stories of monsters like this guy

[@yayger825]

The problem is if that hate gets worse and it leads to someone taking the law into their own hands it can cause even more trouble for themselves. For maybe a sense of momentarily pleasure if that person even experiences it, but a prison sentence awaits.

[@Darth_Vader258]

Forgiveness doesn't mean Forgive and Forget, it is just important to just Forgive.

[@doctorcatnip2551]

1. I can imagine WAY worse than what this guy did. 2. I don’t feel good about anybody getting stabbed.

[@enderwiggen3638]

Maria Goretti … a saint. On her deathbed she forgave the man who killed her. Her murderer imprisoned and let go. Alessandro Serenelli went on to become repentant and had an active life in the church. People are now petitioning for him to become a saint. When I first was learning of this story it was horrifying. You would want him to spend his life in jail. What he did after was better for helping to save many others … and that made me realize that who am I to judge who gets forgiveness or not. Even Jesus used Saul for his attacking the body. Paul went on to evangelize many gentiles which led to the rapid growth of the church. And it was not easy for him as he suffered while doing it.

[@churchill51]

As many have said, this is a very difficult topic to agree on. Loving your enemies, on the surface, appears to promote pacifism and flies in the face of justice regarding someone like Nassar. I believe the command to love your enemy is meant to quell the instinctual hatred we naturally feel towards someone like this. Such hatred only poisons us if held on to. We become less like Jesus even more so. A question I have in regards to this though, is what relevance then, does Jesus's claim about a millstone being tied to their necks, and they being cast into the sea, mean to us about dealing with men like Nassar?

[@RemainRealProductions]

Life is sacred for good people. It gets less and less sacred the eviler you get, because you become more and more Satan's child. Further from God. And Evil should be eliminated. In all sorts of ways. In some cases that would be them turning to good, but some are waaaay to far past that. Think that mass rapist and pedo can turn to God and be all OK? No way.

[@themisterg.]

I disagree with Jesus. I believe he is real and the Son of God. That said I think loving your enemies is a great recipe for continued abuse. Give me godlike powers and maybe I’ll consider acting like Jesus, until then human is all I’ll be.

[@ianknight5120]

I think there's an underlying feeling in those who instintively want to see men like this suffer - we want to see justice done. I think the thing that enables us to fulfil Jesus' command to love our enemies is to remember that God will judge on the last day. '"Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord.' We can absolutely show mercy to our enemies because we know that either they come to believe themselves and be saved, or they don't and are condemned on the last day.

[@MatrixRefugee]

@@sergesavard636 Yeah, exactly. I can't help feeling getting stabbed in prison is a little bitty foretaste of what's waiting for them in hell. You ask me, God is the worst permissive parent ever.

[@antoniasobocki1724]

Forgiveness cannot be used as a caveat to avoid accountability. Such individuals must always be reported to the police and child protection services. Victim's need to be identified and offered medical and psychological treatment. We do not simply leave it to God. We all have responsibilities in this life too.

[@Murph_gaming]

The message of Jesus has been lost on so many that ideas like turn the other cheek are seen as "weak" and "liberal".

[@LukeKirk1113]

Some things you must pay for with your life for our governments to obtain worldly justice. If our government would exorcise its God given authority to obtain as much worldly justice as we can for crimes like this it would have prevented this bad scenario of a prisoner taking it upon himself to get “justice”

[@Doc-Holliday1851]

God encourages righteous punishment including violent punishments. Loving our enemy is different from wishing them well. I love Nasser in the same way I love anyone who isn’t saved, I hope he finds Christ and repents. But I’m not going wish he hadn’t gotten hurt nor will I wish him a speedy recovery. We are called to give people over to satan so they can learn from their evil ways, this implies that doing so will result in bad enough outcomes for the person that they come back to Christ. The parable of the prodigal son is the same. The sone only came back after experiencing bad things. It is out of love for their immortal souls that we reject these people. But until Nasser finds Christ I will consider it righteous punishment for him to continue to experience these kinds of attacks.

[@Neptune466]

I didn't feel "satisfaction" or "glee" but my reaction was, "Oh, well." I would rather spend my energy defending the innocent and the wronged. There is little I can do about what happened. I['m not dancing on his grave (so to speak) but my emotional energy is going to those wrongly imprisoned, and to THOSE GIRLS AND WOMEN. I pray for them. We know what happens in prisons. If you are called to help change the conditions in prison (it would surprise me if Nassar himself was not sexually assaulted in prison) then put your energy into that. Do I "hate" Nassar? I hate what he did. I don't think I need to actively wish the guy well in order for me to be a "good" Catholic. Frankly, I think Jesus understands this.

[@thomasdalton1508]

If it is as clear cut as you say, why did the Catholic Church only start to condemn capital punishment about thirty years ago? (There is a big difference between a judicial execution and a brutal attack by a fellow prisoner, of course, but the arguments you are making would apply to both.)

[@SagisGaming]

What about all the verses where it says God will have his revenge on the wicked?

[@fox69r43]

Let God be the final judge!

[@chissstardestroyer]

Every single *one* of His followers disagrees with Him somewhere; and the sole reason for that is that He is not us, but our Neighbor; no way will two men see the same thing the same way every single time: if they do, they're obviously not two men, but one; and for crying out loud: we are NOT God- so of course we're going to disagree with Him somehow. Question is; what do we do about that?

[@101jir]

Honestly, the first thought that comes to mind when an abuser got stabbed in prison is "of course he did." It's a pretty common thing from what I understand, just wondering when it would happen. With regards to evil, I think it's important not to target our own anger, but to make sure it is being directed at the evil itself, "hate the sin love the sinner" so to speak. Hatred of a person distracts us from the war against sin itself, and corrupts us. Anger towards the idea of evil can and should be harnessed into a passion into bringing an end to it, and hopefully calls us to virtuous action rather than spite. Sometimes it is necessary to take harsh measures or even kill (or lead others to kill) to prevent sin from spreading, such as with Joan of Arc. But the attention must remain on God's Will. Worth stressing it's deeply unfortunate when it comes to killing, but sometimes it does. Whenever I think of people like Nasser, what I have found it helpful to use that anger to motivate me to spend time and money at a charity that helps victims of violent crime, especially sexual abuse. I hope that perhaps with this one simple act, I can disrupt the machinations of the devil whom even if he didn't need to inspire these monsters to do this particular evil (in all likelihood he probably did), then even in a small way I can hopefully do something to disrupt any devils from capitalizing on and spreading that evil.

[@GalaxiaTokyo]

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21

[@matthewchan3701]

Father I have a question. Does loving your enemies means you tolerate the abuse from them? Or do you stand up for yourself and rebuke their actions towards you, defend yourself but at the same time not act on revenge.

[@TheDummbob]

Im kinda atheist but I do bekoebe in Love - and salvation through healing and this video is a great speech about loving and seeing clearly the truth - that we all deserve to live a happy loving life, and that no one should suffer in vein

[@dro8031]

Matthew 9:13 "I desire mercy. Not sacrifice." And the devil gets to us when we desire a sacrifice .

[@briantrafford4871]

I remember going to Adoration after Osama bin Laden was killed, and I knew I needed to say a prayer for his soul. I was not happy about this, and I definitely did not want to do it. But I had to. Jesus said so.

[@perfectlambministry777.]

Christ said you reap what you sow Father. God said vengeance is mine, so it's entirely possible this could've been divine justice. We need to pray & love our enemies Father, but when someone does this amount of evil he/she needs to be executed. I hope he converted before this stabbing but we don't know. Father, at the end of the day I get your point but YOU need to understand what he did was demonic & he reaped what he sowed. I don't think he should have been stabbed ten times but it happed & I don't understand why you think God wouldn't allow this to happen to an evil man. I'm not going to say God wanted this but you Father can't say that God wouldn't do this in the process. Remember what our Lord said about pedophiles? It wasn't good now was it?

[@katiecoomer2352]

Hate the sin. In time one can forgive and believe in God's mercy that cannnot be measured. This cross will be lifted and peace will be found.

[@bassbole]

So here's a question: part of what you're called to do is to protect the most in need and vulnerable, so what of people who dedicate their lives to terrorizing those people? If hatred is not a valid emotion as a Christian. What about something like relief, that this person will never get the opportunity to hurt another?

[@Iustusxi]

The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. - Psalm 58:10

[@kathebridges4736]

Before Christs teaching. And only one aspect of the Mosaic teachings. The call for Mercy was there also.

[@Iustusxi]

@@kathebridges4736 Christ very well taught condemnation of the wicked. Doesn’t matter if it was before Christs teachings because he’s God and he is the word of God. Mercy and justice, you can’t have justice without mercy. It’s two sides you have to take into account.

[@Laurelin70]

@@elizabethschuster6420 But not by us. By God.

[@ne0nmancer]

@@Laurelin70 That verse refers specifically to God's vengeance, there's no need to object.

[@xrenegade87xchannel88]

Everyone is guilty of being wicked especially the ones who think they’re good or righteous they’re the most wicked

[@gbriank1]

I'm sorry, but this guy should be wrapped up with a "return to sender" sticker on top. He took away others ability to choose. He is a parasite and should be treated as such.

[@ryanpgiron]

I always believed in karma. What goes around will come around. It means that I want to get even on what others did badly on me. And that's pure evil. But when I watched this video, I realized that I was always wrong. Cursing my enemy is also committing a sin. Thank you for this inspiring video. With this, I know God is trying to talk to me.

[@dolphjan6267]

I believe in the biblical karma what you sow is what your reap

[@carsonbaird3904]

@@dolphjan6267 very true

[@Christus_est_via]

Its not karma. Its God himself doing that

[@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian]

Catholics don’t believe in karma , in any sense of the word. It contradicts our faith and concept of Grace. most people that do believe in karma in Western society just use it as an excuse to be petty or illicit revenge: “Cutting to the point, there’s no such a thing as karma. No one believes in it, including those Westerners who say they believe in it. If they did, they wouldn’t complain when they experience pain or inconvenience. According to karmic theory, whatever happens to an individual is what he deserves. A person who truly believes in karma wouldn’t complain about anything in life. They also wouldn’t celebrate anything ― they would just accept everything that came their way with grim aplomb.” “1. Karma is essentially a fatalistic and deterministic philosophy. It neither accepts questions nor provides answers but merely urges acceptance. It teaches that one can’t escape a mechanistic universe. It’s essentially a passive system not suited for cultures that recognize individual moral responsibility. 2. If karma were actually a function or mechanism built into the fabric of the cosmos like the Universal Constant, gravity (or the other three Fundamental Forces of Nature) or time’s unidirectionality, then scientists would have been able to identify it by now. 3. If karma is built into the physical structure of the universe, as it’s claimed, it is essentially an anti-spiritual force like gravity or inertia. Physical things without consciousness can’t lend themselves to spirituality, nor can something lacking consciousness decide what is and what isn’t good. And without a moral sense, how can karma then understand what is justice let alone dispense justice? Further, to dispense justice, karma would have to be in control of the physical and emotional aspect of the entire universe. 4. Karma recognizes only its own standard of morality and justice, but which one is it? Who is at fault: the Muslim terrorist who kills thousands of Iraqi Christians and Yazidi, or the Christians and Yazidi who’ve apparently done something so horrible as to deserve such treatment? It sounds like an explanation that explains nothing. 9. If karma is in charge of the universe and it can control the minds and hearts of those around us as it dispenses cosmic justice on all sentient beings everywhere and throughout all of time, it would mean there was no such a thing as free will because we all merely tools at the disposal of karma. 10. How does karma understand what is moral and just let alone dispense justice? To dispense justice, karma would have to then be in control of the entire physical and emotional aspect of the entire universe. Thus, a spirituality based on karma is fundamentally not a spirituality. It’s merely a science. And sciences can be demonstrated objectively and tested. Karma is none of these things. 11. Virtue isn’t possible within a karmic system. In such a system, one is “virtuous” because of one’s previous lifetimes experience, not because of God’s grace or perseverance. 13. Karma teaches, “good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people.” This is nonsense and very judgmental. Those who bully children act unjustly. Children aren’t bullied because they are immoral. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. The sun shines and the rain falls upon the good and wicked alike. (Matthew 5:45) 14. My pet peeve in dealing with the karmically-inclined is their sheer ignorance of Jesus and Christianity. “Jesus believed in karma and taught it!” they’d cry, desperate to win an unwinnable argument. Jesus not only didn’t teach karma but railed against those who believed in it. When a group of Jews who were executed by Pontius Pilate are accused of having been evil, Jesus says, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-5). 15. An impersonal karma is a bit anti-climactic. Human consciousness, morality and free will are inexplicable mysteries of the universe and make human beings exceptional. They point to a Creator who is outside of this materialist plane of existence. But, according to those who believe in karma, they are second rate to some mechanical mechanism built into universe. What created our magnificent and exceptional human selves? Can karma ― something without a soul or will or consciousness ― create a soul, a will or a consciousness? That seems unlikely in the face of it.”-National Catholic Register “A karmic approach says that, by a cosmic spiritual law, we are punished or rewarded according to our moral activities. If we do bad things, we will suffer, either in this life or a life to come. And if we do good things, we will be rewarded, again either here or in the hereafter. Karma might not be immediate, as is the law of gravity (remember John Lennon’s playful song “Instant Karma”), but in the long run, people are rewarded or punished according to merit. And this satisfies our sense of fairness and justice. Now a religion of grace is different. It teaches that all people are sinners and hence deserving of punishment, but that God, out of sheer generosity, gives them what they don’t deserve. Think of one of the most popular lines in Christian poetry: “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” In terms of a karmic religion, wretches deserve a wretched fate, and it would be unfair for wicked people to be given a great gift. But devotees of a religion of grace exult in this generosity.”- The Catholic World Report

[@debralittle1341]

Loving your enemies doesn't mean giving the Green light to everything someone does. Jesus forgave and saves us when we were horrible sinners. If He could do that then we can have the power to forgive others. The alternative is to have hate, anger and bitterness grow in your heart and then you're in very bad shape. Forgiveness is much easier. When we pray for the people who wronged us it's harder to hold onto the bad stuff.

[@troybyrne2916]

Iam not talking to or loving a pedo or abuser sorry. Jesus said to hurl those people into the sea, if someone is continuing to sin we have to protect ourselves and communities. Jesus was meaning forgive those who hurt you personally not those who hurt one's we love and protect

[@lone_wolf106]

I wish abusers and rapists could feel what their victims felt, not because it would be a punishment, though it would be, but how could you ever hurt someone deliberately again if you knew you would be forced to feel the pain they felt.

[@theaperitifguy436]

I thank God we don't get what we deserve!

[@SteveKilgore27]

Honestly I think one of the biggest moral dilemmas comes in the case of Gary Plauche. His preteen son was rxxed by his soccer coach. Following the coach’s capture by law enforcement, he was being extradited, and at the airport after just having landed, Plauche shxt the coach in the head killing him. Plauche got away with a slap on the wrist because the judge ruled he wasn’t likely to murder again and this was special circumstances. As a Catholic I obviously believe that all human life has value and that killing someone when not absolutely necessary to defend oneself/others is wrong. That being said, I don’t know what decision I would’ve made if I were Gary Plauche and I had to ability to get the guy who rxxed my son.

[@Gumbi1012]

This will always be the hardest teaching to uphold. I'm always dismayed at the crowing you find in relatively liberal places (I use Reddit for example) when news stories about rapists/paedophiles etc. getting beaten up, stabbed etc. in prison get posted. Look, i get it. They've committed horrendous crimes. They deserve to be imprisoned. But we did not sentence them to torture. And we should not be condoning random criminals doling out such punishments arbitrarily. We wither believe in human dignity or we don't. Thanks for the video. It's a hill worth dying on. We do not for ONE SECOND condone these criminals behaviour. They committed heinous crimes, and deserve their sentences. But they still have rights. They still habe dignity. And we should try to love them.