May 3, 2023

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Do you have something to forgive in your marriage? Or with someone in your family? Check out Anne Boleyn’s last letter to her husband, Henry VIII, who falsely accused her of all kinds of evil when her only crime was not producing a male heir. When he sentenced her to death, she wrote the following.

"Your Grace's displeasure, and my Imprisonment are Things so strange unto me, as what to Write, or what to Excuse, I am altogether ignorant [...]never a Prince had a Wife more Loyal in all Duty, and in all true Affection, than you have found in Anne Boleyn [...] But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my Death, but an Infamous Slander must bring you the enjoying of your desired Happiness; then I desire of God, that he will pardon your great Sin therein, and likewise mine Enemies, the Instruments thereof; that he will not call you to a strict Account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me.”

Wow!

“O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (For Our Enemies – BCP)