Daily Devotion

“The suffering has passed, and the scars left by guns and gunpowder will eventually heal, but if the hatred in our hearts is not healed, disaster will be reborn. As followers of Christ, we should show forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Our reconstruction of Beitang is not only about building high walls with bricks and stones, but also about building a bridge of reconciliation between Chinese and foreign people with love.”

Pierre-Marie Favier · Fan Guoliang's public fundraising and letter of condolence in 1901

Scripture

Matthew 5:44-45 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven, who causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Reflection

Fan Guoliang's choice to forgive after the Boxer Rebellion perfectly exemplified Jesus' teaching of "love your enemies." Faced with life-or-death situations, he deeply understood that revenge could not heal wounds, only the love of Christ could bring true healing. Reflecting on our lives today, although we haven't experienced war, we often feel bitterness over trivial offenses, building walls of isolation in our hearts. Jesus commands us to pray for those who persecute us, so that we can use the power of the cross to dismantle hatred and liberate our souls. True followers of Christ do not love others in good times, but choose to be bridges of peace even in times of loss, overcoming malice with love.