Dorothy Day, 19th
century Catholic social activist, is quoted as saying, “I only love God as much
as I love the person I love the least.” Dr. King said, “Hate cannot drive out
hate, only love can do that.” Vincent
Harding, friend and occasional speechwriter to Dr. King, said to a colleague on
a panel of speakers in one of my seminary courses, “I am going to disagree with
you in love,” and then proceeded to do just that. In Christian scripture, Jesus commands love
of God, self, neighbor, and enemy.
I’m personally challenged
by these stalwart leaders in my faith tradition and the moment of leadership we
faith leaders across traditions find ourselves in. Mockery is the name of the game today.
Critique over connection is often the first move. I’m just as guilty as the
next person indulging in laughter over and against another person’s humanity
just to blow off some steam. But I keep
asking myself, how are we going to lead through this moment in time if all the
sides are indulging similarly? Will there come a time when higher ideals
prevail to ground our connection and critique? Is there a critical mass of people needed to risk leading in love for
the planet and its people to make it through this time? There is no crystal ball. There is only the
next right step.
For me, the next right
step is continuing to risk connection across differences of race, faith, and politics. Robert Frost, in his poem “Servant to
the Servants (1915),” writes, “I can see no way out but through.” Maya Angelou made a similar observation. For me, the way through this time means
risking love as the highest ideal. Loving the earth, loving vulnerable neighbors and obnoxious ones, loving
colleagues, and loving national and world leaders that I’m least inclined to
love. Love is neither capitulation nor
sentiment. Love connects over and
against withdrawal. Love is powerful. Love is risk. Love is the way
through.
[Written to multi-race, multi-faith leaders for Together Colorado Faith Voices, June 13, 2017]
