A "New" Commandment

As with Timothy McVeigh, the death penalty awaits Jared Lee Loughner. As with Timothy McVeigh, to use death as a punishment proves beyond a reasonable doubt that our society has no understanding of Jesus' purported words, "As you know, we once were told, 'You are to love your neighbor' and 'You are to hate your enemy.' But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for your persecutors. You'll then become children of your Father in heaven. (God) causes the sun to rise on both the bad and the good, and sends rain on both the just and the unjust. Tell me, if you love those who love you, why should you be commended for that? Even the toll collectors do as much, don't they? And if you greet only your friends, what have you done that is exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, don't they? To sum up, you are to be unstinting in your generosity in the way your heavenly Father's generosity is unstinting." (I've used here the Revised Scholars Version of Matthew 5:42-48.) While they may claim to be Christians, anyone who condones the murder of anyone belies their discipleship. Our only hope is to become faithful followers of the Christ.