On this weekend in which we remember and celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the others who worked in the civil rights movement, work which is not yet done because we have not achieved the dream, and we might remember as well that Dr. King earned his Ph.D. at a Methodist University because it was the first predominantly white university to have a black dean of the chapel, I thought it appropriate as we think about forgiveness to hear some of the words of Dr. King, who had some things to say about forgiveness, and if anyone might have had a right to strike back against some of those who injured him, it would be Dr. King and his fellow workers. In a speech given to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, entitled “Where do we Go from Here”, which also happens to be the title of his last book, Dr. King said the following:
“I’m concerned about a better World. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood and sisterhood; I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate through violence. Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that. And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to humankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn’t popular to talk about it in some circles today. And I’m not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love; I’m talking about a strong, demanding love. For I have seen too much hate. [...] and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we aren’t moving wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.”
