Regarding Trump and Zelensky, I’m trying my hand at a parable. A hopeful ending, I know, but I guess we’ll see. The lesson works either way.
Gladius came to Xifias and asked, “Lord, how should I deal with a man who has borrowed money from me but shows no gratitude and thinks he doesn’t have to pay me back?”
Xifias said to him, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his government officials. And when he began to settle accounts, a case of fraud was brought before him of a foreign king who wanted more money for a war, but was not able to account for the 350 billion dollars he had already been given to help him fight that war. Therefore his master commanded that he should promise to pay back the money already given, and any new money that would yet be given.
The foreign servant, however, stood proudly before his master, saying, “Dude, there was never any expectation that I should ever pay you back, and if you stop giving me money, my people will die. I demand more money.” Then the master of that servant king was moved with anger and released him to go back home without any more money to fight his war.
So that servant went out and begged other masters to help him fund his war, always declaring, “My enemy is mean and my people are dying. I need your money to fight against him.” Everyone he asked, though, responded the same way, “Make peace! You have to prove you’re willing to make an end to this madness, and you have to pay us back.”
Grieved, the servant king finally came back to the master and said, “Okay, I agree to pay you back for your help, and I also need your help to negotiate a peace treaty so my people will stop dying and this war will end.”
And his master was moved with compassion, signed the agreement, the killing stopped, and a peace deal was eventually made.
Just so, you should not be guilted by ungrateful thugs who try to take advantage of your kindness and grace.
Xifias Gladius
Xifias Gladius 
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