who we should hate

St Gregory of Nyssa talks to us about who we should hate today in A Year with the Church Fathers.

He reminds us that we humans have an ancient enemy. That the powers of darkness are who we should be "wrestling against", and not with one another. What should we do with our human enemies? Pray for them. Love them. Treat them how we would want to be treated. That means the guy next door who doesn't pick up after his dog. That means the young punks that tear through your neighborhood going way too fast and could easily hurt someone. That means ISIS. That even means (insert political figure's name that you don't like). We should love them, pray for them, forgive them, and desire that they go to heaven.

If we are going to hate someone, we should direct our hatred toward the "principalities and powers" of this world that work to drive us humans apart. They treat us like ants, putting us into a cup together and shaking it so we'll fight. Let's rise above that, and love each other.

The best way we can fight against the powers of darkness is by loving other humans.

God, please help us to overpower evil with good.