Radical Redemptive Love | #MyFridayStory №389
Last Sunday in church, our minister, Carli Hugo, preached on the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount: It’s the first of the Beatitudes.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
This verse has always stayed with me. Not just because of the beauty of it, but because of how rare peace-making has always seemed. Then Carli read from John 4 — the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.
The connection beckons.
This wasn’t just a nice story about a thirsty traveller. No — this was radical, redemptive love in action. A breaking open of deep divisions, centuries of hatred, cultural pride, religious arrogance, gender discrimination — all shattered in one conversation.
She went on to explain.
Back then, Jews and Samaritans didn’t mix. They had generations of deep-seated resentment between them — racial, religious, political. On top of that, Jewish men did not speak publicly to women they didn’t know — certainly not to a Samaritan woman of questionable reputation.
Yet Jesus, a Jewish rabbi, not only speaks to her, but He seeks her out. He dignifies her. He listens. He sees her. And in doing so, He rewrites the rules.
He doesn’t shame her for her lifestyle. He doesn’t condemn her for her religion.
Rather.
He offers her living water. He offers her Himself.
This is not just kindness. This is what Fr. Richard Rohr and the Franciscans call “nonviolent love.” Love that transforms. Love that redeems. Love that heals.
It’s easy to forget that Jesus didn’t come to bring war. He didn’t come to set up another religion.
He came to make peace. With us. And through us.
He came to teach us how to love — especially our enemies. Especially the ones we’ve “othered” — the people we’ve written off, labelled, feared, judged, or rejected.
Let’s be honest. Love your enemies must be one of the most radical teachings in history. It goes against everything we’re taught. We’re told to defend ourselves. To fight back. To cancel, silence, outsmart, overpower.
But Jesus says, “Love them.” Pray for them. Bless them. Forgive them. Not because it’s easy. But because it’s the only thing that actually heals.
Loving each other is the only path to true peace.
I came across this beautiful reflection from Fr. Richard Rohr’s Centre for Action and Contemplation, where he quotes two Franciscan peacemakers, Rosemary Lynch and Alain Richard. They outline what they call “The Decalogue for a Spirituality of Nonviolence.” It moved me deeply. I want to share their ten commandments with you here, woven into my own reflections:
- Recognise the sacred in every person and every piece of creation.
That’s how Jesus saw the woman at the well. And it’s how we’re meant to see each other. The face of God in every face. Even our enemies.
- Accept ourselves — fully and honestly.
God isn’t waiting for you to be perfect. He meets you where you are. Like He met her.
- What I hate in others often reflects something unresolved in me.
That one stings. But it’s true. It’s easier to judge others than to face what’s going on inside.
- Reject the “us vs them” mentality.
This is the root of most conflict. It leads to discrimination, racism, tribalism, division, and ultimately — war.
- Face fear with love.
Because perfect love casts out fear. It doesn’t mean being fearless — it means choosing love anyway.
- Build the Beloved Community — together.
We don’t heal alone. We heal in community. In Ubuntu. In us.
- Care for the planet as a sacred responsibility.
All of creation groans — waiting for redemption. We are stewards, not owners.
- Be willing to suffer for the sake of liberation — yours and others.
Think of Jesus. Think of Mandela. Think of every peacemaker who walked the harder road.
- Celebrate joyfully when the presence of God is recognised — and keep loving when it’s not.
Love either way.
- Be patient. Sow seeds. Wait.
Nonviolence is slow work. But it’s holy work. It’s the kingdom of God work.
So, here’s the challenge:
What would our world look like if we took this seriously? If we chose peace over power? Understanding over being right? Reconciliation over revenge? Jesus didn’t just tell stories. He lived the message. He crossed the lines. He broke the rules. He disarmed violence — not with weapons, but with love.
Radical. Redemptive. Love.
That’s what He practised. And that’s what He calls us to. Especially now. Especially here.
Especially us.
Thanks for reading. 🙏
If the story resonated with you — if you have witnessed or experienced radical redemptive love — I’d love to hear about it in the comments or messages.
Until next week,
Have a wonderful weekend, and remember — be generous! 😊
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