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LOVE OF ENEMIES

Christ's commandment of merciful love, shown especially in loving those who are not lovable. The enemies of whom Christ speaks are "those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44), "those who hate you . . . curse you" (Luke 6:28). This is the highest and truest test of selfless love, to "do good to . . . bless . . . pray for those who treat you badly" (Luke 6:28).

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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