Gospel in Art: Love your enemies

The Menin Road, by Paul Nash, painted in 1919 © Imperial War Museum, London / Wikimedia

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 15 March 2025
Matthew 5: 43-48

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'

Reflection on the painting

Our canvas, painted in 1919 by Paul Nash, was commissioned by the Ministry of Information in April 1918 and was originally intended to be titled 'A Flanders Battlefield'. The painting presents a stark and haunting scene: two soldiers stand on a devastated battlefield, surrounded by rain-filled shell-holes, flooded trenches, and shattered trees illuminated by unearthly beams of light from an apocalyptic sky. The trees are stripped of their leaves, some reduced to bare stumps. In the foreground, concrete blocks, barbed wire, and corrugated iron litter the ground, while columns of mud, thrown up by artillery fire, rise ominously in the background. This vast painting (182.8 cm by 317.5 cm; 72 in by 125 in) vividly captures the sheer devastation of war.

Now, imagine a soldier standing in such desolation, reading today's Gospel words: "But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." An almost impossible command, isn't it? Yet, Jesus doesn't call us to merely tolerate our enemies-He tells us to love them. And to love, means willing the good of the other. But can we truly desire the good of those who oppose or harm us? Challenging as it may be, that is exactly what today's Gospel calls us to do.

Many of us might struggle to identify anyone we'd consider an "enemy." We often reserve that term for war situations or for people we intensely dislike. However, if we broaden the definition to include anyone who has hurt, upset, or wronged us (even in minor ways) perhaps a few faces come to mind? When Jesus asks us to love these people, He isn't calling for warm, fuzzy feelings. He appeals to our will, not our emotions. At the very least, we can choose to wish the best for those we find difficult. How do we do this? Through prayer.Praying for someone we struggle with is not only an act of love but also a step towards healing-both for us and, potentially, for them.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-43-48-2025/ (with audio)