Epiphany and Heart-Seeing God

Matthew 5:43-47, paraphrased

‘You have heard that it was said,
“You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”
But I say to you,

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may know what it is like to come from the Source of us all;
for our Source calls the sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

For if you love only those who love you, what heart-space do you have?
Do not even the tax-collectors negotiate their fair share?

And if you greet only your brothers and sisters with honor,
how does that prepare you to be agents of blessing?

Do not all the tribes of this world do the same?
Be completely at ease with all, therefore,
as our heavenly Source demonstrates.

-- paraphrase by Rev. Jacki Belile for Women in Ministry Meditation, September 2009.