Hate is a powerful force. It can fuel revenge and retribution for wrongs both real and imagined. But hate comes at a price that is too high. This is because hate and the Holy Spirit can cannot reside in the human heart at the same time. In exchange for hate, we must cut ourselves off from the Holy Spirit. Do Not Be Deceived. Given that we are struggling not so much against people, as against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places, we can think of hate as a double agent. It is weapon directed at us from deep within enemy territory. Once it is received, it intoxicates and masquerades as a justice seeking virtue, when its real objective is to turn the hearts of the faithful away from God.
The life of Christ demonstrates the power of God’s Love. The absence of hate is not timidity. We see from the witness of many saints, that we can boldly live our lives in difficult times through the power of the Holy Spirit. With love in our hearts and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have access to all the gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Good Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. These gifts are so needed in these times.