Reflection: Unclenching the Fist: Breaking the Chains of the Past

The stories of my grandparents are etched in my bones. My people, the Armenians, endured a nightmare a century ago, a systematic attempt to erase us. Hatred, a tempting poison, could easily fill the void.

Yet, Matthew 22:37-40 offered me a different path.

Jesus elevates love as the ultimate commandment, a love for God that encompasses all. Loving God with all my being is a constant pursuit, a wellspring of strength. But it doesn’t stop there. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” a revolutionary concept in a world driven by vengeance, that truly challenges. How can I love those who inflicted such pain on my people?

The answer, perhaps, lies in understanding. Love doesn’t erase the past, but it allows me to move forward without being consumed by it. The path is arduous, the pain ever-present, but hate only breeds more darkness. This love won’t be easy, but it’s the only way to break the cycle of violence. It’s the only way to honor the memory of those lost and build a future where such atrocities never happen again.

Prayer:

God, grant us the strength to love you and to extend that love, even to those who make us suffer. Help us see beyond the pain and hatred to the shared humanity that binds us all. May your love be the compass that guides us towards healing and peace. May understanding replace hatred, and may we build a future where all your children can live in peace. Amen.