Forgive our enemies.After reading James Loney's riveting story of imprisonment in Iraq ("Still prisoners of war prisoners of war, in international law, persons captured by a belligerent while fighting in the military. International law includes rules on the treatment of prisoners of war but extends protection only to combatants. This excludes civilians who engage in hostilities (by international law they are war criminals; see war crimes) and forces that do not observe conventional requirements for combatants (see war, laws of).," July) as a convert to Catholicism, I wondered--are we called to take seriously Jesus' teaching to forgive our enemies? Despite Loney's torturous imprisonment, he harkens to the call of Jesus to love our enemies, do good to those who harm us, pray for those who persecute us. Jesus calls us to accept suffering before we inflict injury. He calls us to pick up the cross and lay down the sword. I, a would-be pacifist who opposes our war with Iraq, feel the deepest gratitude to Loney for sharing his inner struggle. Ruth Weisman Goldboss Highland Park Highland Park. 1 City (1990 pop. 30,575), Lake co., NE Ill., a suburb of Chicago on Lake Michigan; inc. 1869. It is a retail business and medical center for the North Shore area. Nearby Ravinia Park is the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, in residence for the Ravinia Music Festival, held there annually since 1936. Adjacent Fort Sheridan closed in 1993; part of the area is now a National Historic Landmark District., Ill. |
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