"We can listen to Jesus' words of forgiveness as we bring before him our enemies, those people we most fear and despise. Jesus is constantly interceding not only for us but also for them, pleading that God's love and mercy be at the center of our lives and theirs. Can we pray to see our enemies as God sees them? It's not an easy prayer, and you may resist praying it as strenuously as I have. But when I pray to see the other person through the eyes of God, slowly I begin to see that the other person is wounded, hurting, and imperfect, as I am; sinning, as I am; and yet beloved by God, as I am.

"This realization changes everything, It affects our behavior and our response. It sets us free from the reflexive urge to pursue revenge, enabling us to look for creative solutions to conflict. It sets us free from hatred, releasing our energy to seek fresh approaches to healing old wounds."