In the presence of our enemies | Clergy

In his very first bird identification guide, published in 1934, the great naturalist Roger Tory Peterson simply and succinctly described the American Robin as “the one bird that everybody knows.” Similarly, I often describe Psalm 23 as “the one psalm that everybody knows.”

I’m normally skeptical of anything that enjoys widespread popularity, be it music, literature or fashion. Many times I’ve tried something that constitutes the “current craze” only to be disappointed. In my experience, massive popularity requires a certain “lowest common denominator” construction that isn’t built to last or endure. After all, in 500 years, people will still be enraptured by Bach’s Mass in B minor, but I doubt anyone will be singing the Baby Shark song. (At least one can hope ...)

Psalm 23, however, is an exception to that rule. It’s widely known and broadly treasured, and yet also of enormous spiritual depth and worth. But that depth and worth can be elusive because the words have become so familiar to us that we engage them only at surface level. Nevertheless, Psalm 23 retains its powerful ability to instruct, comfort and even shock us if we slowly and intentionally wrestle with its words, images and concepts. For example, consider just 12 little words from the fifth verse: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Who is your enemy? And what is God calling you to do about that enemy?

Please don’t tell me you have no enemies. Someone along your life’s journey has hurt you, slighted you, disappointed you, or offended you or one of your loved ones. Maybe your enemy is a more ambiguous group like “the government,” a political party, or corporations. Nobody wants to admit they have an enemy, but we all do. If that disturbs you, take heart. Enemies are central to the entire Book of Psalms. Sometimes the psalmist explicitly prays for delivery from an enemy. And sometimes the psalmist boldly asks God to destroy that enemy, or praises God because the enemy has indeed been vanquished.

And so in this partisan, polarized and violent world of ours, when we read in Psalm 23 that God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies, we might hastily conclude that God is completely on our side and is feeding us so we have the strength and energy to crush and vanquish our enemy, who deserves nothing better. Certainly that’s how much of the media and many politicians encourage us to view and relate to our perceived enemies.

But instead, let’s consider those 12 words through the lens of Jesus Christ. Because by any reasonable definition, he had enemies. One betrayed him and then personally identified him to the authorities, leading to his arrest, torture and public execution. Yet hours before that unfolded, and even though Jesus knew what Judas was going to do, there was a meal. Jesus ate in the presence of his enemy. In fact, he ate with more than one enemy, because most of those men around the table would abandon him and deny him solely to save their own skins.

In the presence of those enemies, what did Jesus do? We don’t have to speculate. It’s all there in chapters 13 through 17 of John’s Gospel. Jesus lovingly and humbly washed their feet. He promised that even though they’d abandon him, he would never abandon them. He taught them, encouraged them, and loved them. And then he prayed for them, that they might be one with God and with one another. In a meal eaten in the presence of his enemies, Jesus didn’t seek revenge, justice, or victory. He offered love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

I don’t think anybody is happy with the state of our society and how we’ve normalized anger, revenge and the dehumanization of our fellow human beings. We all complain about it, but can we really do anything to change it? I think so. In the presence of our enemies, we can strive to do as Jesus did. Instead of clinging to our resentments, anger, pain, or craving for victory, we can cling instead to Jesus. He shows us the way to transform every bitter meal into a banquet of reconciliation and peace. Admittedly, that work doesn’t come without a price. But the outcome is of infinite worth.

Rev. Scott E. Schul is the senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in State College.