Love The Haters

A news story hit the airwaves today regarding Osama Bin Laden, though it's not the type of story you'd expect.  It revolves around a small Catholic church in Florida that received an anonymous prayer request for Osama Bin Laden.  Many within the church and community are outraged regarding the request.  But why?  One person argued, "I think it's totally wrong, he doesn't belong in the Catholic religion.  For what he did to Americans, he doesn't belong anywhere."  There are two things wrong with such a statement.  First, Osama Bin Laden will not pay for his crimes against Americans, but will rather face judgement from the God who created those people in His own image whom Bin Laden ordered killed.  Second, Christ tells us to love those who have done us harm and wish evil upon us.  

Matthew 5:44 -  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Bin Laden committed atrocities, yet we all "have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God."(Romans 3:23)  Without Grace we share the same standing as Bin Laden, eternal death.  We are not called to judge those outside of the church, God is their judge.(1 Corinthians 5:12)  Instead, we ought to pray for those who are lost in this world, those who hate and kill included.


Bagg, Marissa. "Prayer request for Osama bin Laden at Catholic Church in West Palm Beach." Channel 5 News WPTV, May 17, 2011.