Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies – or else? The chain reaction of evil – hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars – must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennessee.
I think I remember that day. I know I remember the day just a few weeks later when Bobby Kennedy was shot leaving a rally in California.
It’s been more than 50 years since King uttered those words.
We didn’t get the message. Here or elsewhere.
I don’t have to tell you about the political nastiness out there. And no, it’s not going to stop in November, regardless of the outcome.
I don’t have to tell you about the hate of the bombings in Brussels and Pakistan.
At least I shouldn’t have to tell you about these things.
The concept of loving our enemies didn’t originate with Dr. King. Jesus spoke those words in the Sermon on the Mount. Look it up, it will do you good.
The words are as radical today as when Jesus said them, and as they were when Dr. King proclaimed them.
And we’ve never quite gotten it right.
I had an extended post pontificating about this and current events, but I deleted it. Truth is, it probably wouldn’t have helped.
What I need to do instead is remember the words of Dr. King. Remember the words of Jesus.
And, maybe this post will help you remember them as well.
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