Friends and Enemies

Rivka. Friends and Enemies. Ayoub is worried. Yacoub was only able to find half of our flock. The rest are stolen or scattered. So Ayoub is afraid we will not have enough money to support ourselves to move to Antioch. If we ever find out who attacked him, I, I don't know what I'll do. It is very hard when someone we love is suffering. Hard? I really hate those people. Sara. You must remember that your hatred will only hurt you. Somehow you must forgive them. I know. But sometimes I don't want to do what I ought to do. Oh. I know. It's hard. Rivka! Where are you? Rivka. I'm meeting with the governor today... Who are you? This is my young friend Sara, Haroon. Another one of your friends. Rivka. If that rascal Micah comes looking for me, do not even open the door. He is a liar and a thief. I won't have him here. I won't. All they want, these people, is money. Sara. Haroon. Do not argue with me Rivka! "Forgive the man," you say? Your religious talk is fine for you women, but I am a practical man living in the real world. I know who my enemies are! How can you forget what he did to me? Micah was just trying... Do not even open the door, Rivka. And be on guard against these "friends" of yours. Goodbye. Haroon! I may be home late my dear. Oh my dear. I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say. I love my husband. I pray for him. But sometimes he can be so difficult. You sound like my mother. Auntie Rivka. Sara, you must come back at once. Father is home! Home? He's... only been away for three months. There's been an accident; his eyes. His eyes? Oh Auntie, can you come with us? It's bad. Yes, of course. Thank you. Oh. Oh! My love! Are you here, or am I dreaming? Yes. I am here. This is not a dream. But what have they done to you? It was an accident, Laila. Stone chips flew up and cut my eyes. Moussa. Your eyes? One thing led to another, and they became infected, and if it wasn't for the kindness of the lad that's in the courtyard…. He led me home. We, we must thank him. I wish I was well enough to cook for him. No. Our daughters are taking care of him. Mariam has gone to fetch Sara. Father? Sara? Father! Oh, don't, don't stand up. It's so good to have you home Father. Please sit. Yes. Who is that in the courtyard? That is Titus. And you must offer him a meal. He brought me home. But Father. He is a Roman soldier. Yes. I know he is. But if it wasn't for him, I would still be in Beirut in worse shape than I already am. I owe that Roman soldier my life. And you want us to... feed him in the house? Yes, in the house. Yes Father. But Father, you need someone to look at your eyes. Auntie Rivka is here. She can look at them. That woman? There's no chance of that. I'd rather die! Oh Moussa, I would be dead if it weren't for her. And you know that. She's here, Mother. You stubborn old man! You would feed a Roman soldier in your own home, but you won't welcome a fine woman like Rivka? No matter who her husband is, she's a fine woman and the best of friends. Father, we are so happy to have you home. Now let us take care of you. Let Auntie Rivka help you. I will not have that woman touch me! She doesn't need to touch you, Father. Just let her look at your eyes. Auntie Rivka, I'm so sorry. Don't worry dear. I understand. Please don't go. He said you can examine him. Just don't, don't touch him. I can remove the bandages, do whatever needs doing. Well. We can try. Is that painful, Father? No. No, no pain. I think I don't need the bandages here at home. There's an infection Father. I'll put new bandages on. Can, can you see anything? No. Not yet Maybe you should lie down and rest, Father. You've had a long journey. Yes. Yes. Where is Dawud? Please Father. Not while the Roman is here. Why? What is wrong? We'll tell you after he is gone, Father. Then I will ask about Enoch, the son of my kinsman, Jonas. All the way home, all I kept thinking was about your wedding, Mariam. Father, it isn't Enoch I'm interested in. Aha! I knew it. So, there is another young man. Laila, Do you approve of this young man? Yes, Moussa dear. But honestly, Moussa, it is not clear whether the young man is interested or not. He's been friendly and very helpful while you've been away. Who is he? Yacoub? Yes. Yacoub. Well. We could do worse. You need rest. Go. Thank you. Will Father ever be able to see again, do you think? I cannot say. The infection should not have gone so long unchecked. I can't believe Father brought a Roman soldier into our home. I hate the Romans. Do you think Jesus hated the Romans, Mariam? Do you remember what Jesus said? He said we should love our enemies. That's what makes us different. In the world people find it very hard to forgive, and they do good only to people who treat them well. But God loved us while we were still his enemies and He asks us to do the same. To love even those who mistreat us. When I think of Jesus on the cross.... He forgave even the people who put him to death. And he forgives you and me. When he has done so much for us, shouldn't we also forgive those who offend or hurt us? Is that how you feel when you are helping Father? Oh. That you are loving your enemy? Your father isn't my enemy, dear. He only thinks that he is. Put this salve on his eyes before you bandage them. Yes. This isn't easy, loving our enemies. No one ever said it would be easy. You should pray for him. Pray for him? Oh! Yacoub. Come in. It's all right. We're going to give him dinner before he goes on his way. Who's here? Who's at the gate? It's, it's Yacoub, Father. Oh, Yacoub. The young man himself! Bring him in. Your father's home? Yes, but he can't see. His eyes were damaged--infected--and he's blind. For the time being anyway. I'm sorry to hear that. Come, Father, let me help you. Why are you here, Yacoub? Um, well, I... I've been helping out with the animals, Uncle, and... Tongue tied, are you? Well. That's what happens. Does it, Uncle? And your father? How is he? Very well. Thank you. How are you? I have been better. Yes. I'm sorry. I have to be going, Uncle. Yes. Yes. If you have nothing further to say to me, you'd better be on your way. Goodbye then. And I don't want any problems from you. Do you understand? Everything must be done properly. Thank you. Goodbye. Mariam. Mariam. Your brother came to see me last night. He asked me to see how you are doing. Do you have a message for him? Don't tell him about the soldier. But tell him Father is home. Do you want me to ask him to come back? No. He'll come when it's safe. Thank you, Yacoub. I'm sorry about... Um, I mean, Father and.... You're welcome. Dinner is ready. Can we feed the soldier first? And... after... he has eaten... the rest of us can eat? Gratias. Why do people hate one another? Why do you love the people that you love? How did Rivka respond to Moussa’s rejection? What do Jesus’ words tell you about love? How can you apply these words to your own life?