7. THE OLD LADY AND ANA -MATTHEW 5:43-48(Love your Enemy)

Little Ana sat quietly next to her father in front the television. It was 6.30pm and the NBC Nightly News had just begun. Once again, as he had done last night and the night before, Brian Williams began by reporting about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the destruction caused by the enemy. He then went on to report about the condition of the enemy prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. Ana got up and went directly to her Grandmother who was absorbed in the scarf she was knitting.

“Gramma”, she asked, “Everybody is saying we should hate our enemies because they are killing our soldiers. Is that true? ”

The old lady, sensing a genuine concern in her grand-daughter’s voice, put down her knitting and beckoned Ana to sit next to her. She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts and then as she picked up her bible said:

“My dear Ana, yes it is true that most people still hate their enemies and prefer them to be punished or killed because of what they believe, or what they do. But that is not what God teaches, or expects from us. We do this because we do not have the courage or strength to be true Christians and follow his words and his example. In fact if you check the bible Jesus specifically commented on this problem in this way":
(Reading from Matthew5:43)

You have heard that it was said,
'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.'

“He was referring to the teachings of the Pharisees and the Scribes who were the leaders of the Jews. They taught, as we still do presently, that all enemies and evil doers must be punished and as a result of this, the community was consumed in hatred and retribution. But Jesus rejected this outright and said so in these terms:”

But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

“You notice Jesus very clearly stated that you must love your enemy and even went further by advising you to pray for those who persecute you. This is the exact opposite of what the Pharisees were doing. This must have surprised the audience a great deal, but you see Jesus was telling us that this is what God expected of us, and that if we really wanted to be true Christians, true children of God, we are obligated to do so”.

Ana, somewhat stunned by this revelation looked intently at her grandmother and with the innocence and simplicity of her tender age, asked:

“Do you mean that God wants us to love everybody in the same way. That we must love and pray for everybody, even though they don’t like us or want to hurt us. How could that be right or fair?”

Anticipating this, the old lady quickly answered by reading the next verse:

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

“God does not make a difference between good and bad. We are all his children and God loves us all in the same way. When Christ died on the cross for our sins, he made no discrimination between anyone of us, he forgave us all. In fact, if you remember, he forgave a thief who was crucified next to him and promised him a place in heaven. God’s love is infinite, it has no boundaries. That is what this verse is saying. The sun will rise and the rain will fall whether we are good or bad, or we are right or wrong. It makes no difference to God’s love, he will treat us the same”.

The old lady paused for a short while to allow Ana to assimilate the information, and continued to read:

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 brothers,
what are you doing more than others?
Do not even pagans do that?

“God is very clear about what he expects from us. He said what good is it if we only love those who love us. Even the taxpayers, who in those days were considered the worst, do the same. And again, are you doing any better if you only greet your brother, even the non-believers do this. He wants you to make no distinction, your love must be even and universal”.


Ana, with both hands cupping her face and eyes wide open in disbelief, exclaimed:

“Wow gramma! God expects so much from us!”

The old lady responded by nodding her head in confirmation as she continued reading:

Be perfect therefore,
as your heavenly Father is perfect.

“You are correct, If we are true followers and true believers then we must recognize that by dying for us, God has earned us the right to be like him. In the same way that he forgave all and unconditionally loves all in a perfect way, he expects us to be perfect. We have no excuses, if we want to be a true Christian then our love must be without condition or boundaries”.

Breathing a deep sigh of relief, Ana stood up, thanked her grandmother and as she walked away, she looked directly at the television and said in a firm and determined voice:

“I only wish someone would remind Brian Williams to stop talking only about how we are punishing our enemies and start thinking about how God expects us to treat them”.

6. THE OLD LADY AND ANA -MATTHEW 5:38-42(Revenge)

Little Ana was unusually silent as she entered her mother’s vehicle after school. Her normal jovial grim was gone and in its place was a sad, disappointed sag. She did not speak and when asked by her mother about her day’s activity, she replied with an unenthusiastic: “OK”.

Upon arriving home, Ana bolted out of the car as fast as she could and headed directly to her Grandmother who was sitting in front of the television watching her favorite “Oprah” show, and blurted out:

“Gramma, is it true that God said an Eye for an Eye and that we should punish everybody who sin?”

The Old Lady, sensing a troubled and confused child, switched off the television, beckoned Ana to come and sit with her and as she opened her bible replied slowly and deliberately:
“Yes Ana that is correct, the old bible spoke of revenge in several passages, ….listen:”

Opening to Leviticus 24:20, she read:

Limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth!
The same injury that a man gives another,
shall be inflicted on him in return.

Ana sat up, mouth opened and stunned, as the old lady quickly continued:

“But that was the old bible and Jesus Christ in The Sermon on the Mount corrected that statement and even went further to advise us how we should treat evil people;.. Listen”:

You have heard that it was said,
'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth’,
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
then turn to him the other also.

Immediately Ana’s features changed, she was relieved with this response, but still confused about Jesus’ advice.

“Did he really mean that, Gramma, if someone hits you, you should let him hit you again?”


The Old Lady paused a little, carefully selected her thoughts and looking directly into Ana’s big brown, trusting eyes, said:

“Yes indeed Ana! that is exactly what Jesus instructed us. As true Christians we are taught that when someone does evil to us we cannot respond with evil. If we did, then we are no different than the evil doer and we will only encourage more evil. Instead, Christ teaches us to respond with Love and to pray for them. By doing this we will stop the evil”.

Little Ana, obviously taken aback the power of these words, exclaimed:

"Wow! Jesus us wants us to love everybody, even those who hate us!”

The old lady, delighted by her grand daughter’s insight, continued to read:

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,
let him have your cloak as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile,
go with him two miles.

“Jesus did not hold back on his advice. He further stated, if someone wants something that was your own, like your dress, don’t refuse, in fact give him more. And even more than that, if he forces you to do something, don’t object, in fact try to do more. By saying this, he is confirming that as true Christians ours lives must be guided by the fundamental principles of love, caring, concern and service to all our brothers, no matter if they are friend and foe. He went further in his final statement, to stress this, listen:”

Give to the one who asks you,
and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“Jesus leaves us with no excuse. To be true followers we must obey his advice. We must forgive those who hurt us, resist any attempt to seek revenge and extend our love and help to all our brothers irrespective if they are friends or enemies. After all, that is the way God treats us. He never seeks revenge. Instead he forgives us over and over again and has accepted us all as his children”.

Ana sat in awe of her grandmother for sometime, then rising slowly and deliberately, she grasped the old lady’s face and kissed her over and over and then, with wisdom far above her tender age, she stated for all the world to hear,

“Dear God, why don’t all the leaders and politicians and religions just follow your advice and
stop listening to themselves and to the old bible alone”.

5. THE OLD LADY AND ANA -MATTHEW 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes)

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. little Ana, wearing her pretty blue dress that her mother bought for her, had just returned from attending morning mass with her family. As they entered their home, Ana grasped her grandmother’s hand and gently tugging it, asked her, in all sincerity;
“Gramma why was the priest telling everyone may God bless you?”

The old lady beckoned Ana to come sit at the table next to her and opening her trusted bible at Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 5, she said:

“Listen to what God said when he addressed the people and his disciples from the top of a mountain about his blessings”.

She slowly read:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

Little Ana looked perplexed and confused,

“What does poor in spirit mean?” she asked.
The old lady replied:

“Poor in spirit refers to people who are humble, gentle and caring. They are the ones who do not hesitate to help others, who give of themselves and do not ask for anything in return. These are the people who will be welcome in heaven”.

Ana seemed to be satisfied with the answer, so the old lady continued reading:

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted”.

Raising her eyes, the old lady looked at the startled face of the little girl:

“You see Ana, the second blessing is for all those people who mourn or feel sorry for whatever reason. Mourning does not only mean the loss of a loved one. It also includes those who hurt for, or feel the suffering of others or who are sorry for their own sins and transgressions. All of those will receive God’s comfort."

The old lady paused for a second and then continued to read the third blessing:

“Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth”.

“I think I know this one gramma”, Ana interjected, “If you are good you will be happy on earth”

The old lady smiled and added:

“Yes Ana, you are correct. But it also includes all those people who are gentle and kind even in the face of adversity. Who live with peace and love for all, friends and enemies alike. These are the people who bring peace to the world.”

Little Ana nodded knowingly and listened eagerly as her grandmother proceeded:

“Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be filled”.

The old lady said:

“This simply says that all those people who spend their lives searching out and doing the right things in life, such as honesty, goodness, truth and love will achieve full satisfaction”.

Reading on, the old lady confidently said:

“Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy”.

"This is my favorite. Being merciful means being willing to show kindness, compassion, understanding and forgiveness to our neighbors and doing everything to relieve distress and suffering. This is the only way to bring peace in your life and God will reward you in kind."

Ana promptly sat up and, as if suddenly inspired, looked intently at the old lady’s face and said:

“Gramma, is that why you always say ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”

The old lady nodded her head in agreement and continued:

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

“Pure of heart means to be free of any selfish desires or jealousy or scheme to take advantage of others. It means approaching everything with pure love and free from personal gain. In your life you will get to know of a few of these people like Mother Teresa and St. Francis of Assisi and they will inspire you as they have inspired me”.

Ana, jumped up out of her chair, hugged her grandmother tightly and whispered;

"Gramma you are pure of heart, I know that”.

Smilingly gently, the old lady continued:

“Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called sons of God”.

“Peacemakers are not people who are peaceful and avoid problems. But they are people whose hearts are full of peace and love and who spend there lives bringing peace and love to others. They are doing God’s work and that is why they are called children of God”.

Closing her eyes in silent prayer, the old lady then turned to Ana and said:

“This last blessing is meant for all of us, listen":

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,
and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Ana was confused and baffled and with her hands outstretched, asked:

"But gramma, I don’t understand what you mean. No one persecutes me, why should this worry me?"

The old lady held Ana’s hand firmly and said:

“Ana, throughout your life people will try to ridicule you or embarrass you to make you believe what they want you to believe, or do what they want you to do. They will lie or make up false stories or even persecute you. But you must remain honest and steadfast and stand by your beliefs. Always believe, like the prophets of the past, your final reward is the Kingdom of Heaven. That is God’s promise and his blessing”.

Ana, smiling broadly and visibly relieved, kissed her grandmother and as she ran off, she shouted:

"AMEN! AMEN!, Thank you God for Gramma!”