Destroy Your Enemies; by Making them Your Friends and Loving Them (Mt 5:38-48)

Abraham Lincoln was once criticized by his advisers for having a meeting during the civil war with the Generals from the South. His advisers objected that he should not talk to our enemies, but we should destroy them. President Lincoln responded, what better way to destroy our enemies than to make them our friends. Jesus councils his disciples to Love our Enemies.  Why? Because only that will change them.  This homily continues to break down the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel.