Hatred

Love one another and you will be happy. Above all, assume the duty of loving those who inspire you with indifference, hatred or scorn. Christ, whom you should make your model, gave you an example of such devotion; a missionary of love, he loved to the point of giving his blood and his life. The sacrifice that obliges you to love those who offend and persecute you is painful, but it is precisely this type of sacrifice that will raise you above them. If you hate them as they hate you, you are worth no more than they are. Such sacrifice is the spotless host offered to God on the altar of your hearts, a sweet-smelling host whose fragrance rises up to him. Even though the law of love wants us to love our brothers and sisters without distinction, it does not shield the heart against harmful conduct; on the contrary, it is the most painful trial – I know it well, because during my last earthly existence, I experienced such torment. But God is ever present and punishes either in this life or in another all those who disregard the law of love. My dear children, do not forget that love brings us close to God, whereas hate keeps us from him.

Fenelon (Bordeaux, 1861)