MELANIE LUTZ: "This morning as I look into your eyes..."

... I say to you, "I love you. I would rather die than hate you." And I'm foolish enough to believe that through the power of this love somewhere, men of the most recalcitrant bent will be transformed. And then we will be in God's kingdom. We will be able to matriculate into the university of eternal life because we had the power to love our enemies, to bless those persons that cursed us, to even decide to be good to those persons who hated us, and we even prayed for those persons who despitefully used us. Oh God, help us in our lives and in all of our attitudes, to work out this controlling force of love, this controlling power that can solve every problem that we confront in all areas. Oh, we talk about politics; we talk about the problems facing our atomic civilization. Grant that all men will come together and discover that as we solve the crisis and solve these problems "the international problems, the problems of atomic energy, the problems of nuclear energy, and yes, even the race problem" let us join together in a great fellowship of love and bow down at the feet of Jesus. Give us this strong determination."

Today we honor a man whose belief in the principles of Love in action as a social force of transformation ignited a movement that exploded heinous injustices across our land. Martin Luther King Jr. utilized Ghandi's principles of non-violence to great effect. These words selected from the end of his sermon from 1957 in Alabama speaks to loving your enemies as yourself, to forgiving those "who have trespassed against you." and to fully recognizing the true power of love. I am glad to follow in some of the footsteps of a true soul stirring believer in the power of love. So today, open your heart and lean into its power, get comfortable with how it feels... because there is much to celebrate and much work ahead. There is no doubt as we move through what is necessary.

WE SHALL OVERCOME!

Please enjoy some of my past posts that include words and ideas brought forth by Martin Luther King Jr.

"Awaken into the fierce urgency of now."

"Have a dream."

Race. Right. Love. Justice.

Let there be light.

Live life in love.

I hope you take today to open your heart in ways you never imagined possible and allow this loving vision to extend to all you meet.