America is rejoicing this evening, and rightly so. It is human to be a patriot. It is human to delight in the downfall of one’s enemy.
Yet I would remind my fellow Christians that we are not patriots of the United States. We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, and we follow a different order.
“As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live.”
-Ezekiel 33:11
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
-Matthew 5:43-48
We may not deny that Osama bin Laden was wicked man – a cause of much suffering and grief. We mourn with the victims of 9/11, as we always mourn with those who mourn. Thus it is fitting to feel a solemn gratitude that a man who sowed death and destruction will do so no longer.
Yet to us it is not permitted to delight in the downfall of the wicked. We are called instead to love as God loves – universally, unconditionally, desiring the salvation of all. We mourn the deaths of all who die apart from the grace of God. Our delight is never in revenge, but in peace and restoration. Thus we desire the repentance of the violent as much as we desire the healing of the violated.
This is not an easy task. It is natural to hate our enemies. It is natural to wish hell upon a murderer, especially when he has murdered our neighbors. It is natural to forget Christian charity in patriotic exultation.
It is natural to be human.
It is difficult to love the wicked, but that is the way of the Cross. It is not an easy path to follow, but it is the path of Christ.
Where the Fire-drake Swings 