“Winning Friendship with an Opponent”

         I am writing this on Monday, January 15, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I am also thinking about our Ecumenical Service scheduled this Sunday at 2:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust Avenue NE, Albuquerque and the presentation to follow with Dr. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. Like today, it is meant to be a celebration of love, of reaching across the aisle, of finding reconciliation. I look forward to our day of worship and unity; and as I prepare to preach on love and unity for this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, I am reminded of Dr. King’s dedication to nonviolence and justice. I share with you one of the quotations I found about this topic from Dr. King.

         “There are certain things we can say about this method that seeks justice without violence. It does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent but to win his friendship and understanding. I think that this is one of the points, one of the basic points, one of the basic distinguishing points between violence and non-violence. The ultimate end of violence is to defeat the opponent. The ultimate end of non-violence is to win the friendship of the opponent. It is necessary to boycott sometimes but the non-violent resister realized that boycott is never an end within itself, but merely a means to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor; that the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption. And so the aftermath of violence is bitterness; the aftermath of non-violence is the creation of the beloved community; the aftermath of non-violence is redemption and reconciliation. This is a method that seeks to transform and to redeem, and win the friendship of the opponent, and make it possible for men to live together as brothers in a community, and not continually live with bitterness and friction.”

(from “Justice Without Violence,” April 3, 1957)

         As you move through your week, mindful of the great sacrifice and the powerful leadership provided by Dr. King, I hope you are able to remember the importance of friendship with the opponent and that you will join us Sunday; and I hope you are finding peace in your life.

You are the light of the world!

Warmly,

Lynne

The Service of Lament is now monthly. First Thursday of the month, next service is February 1, 2024

Service of Lament, First Thursday of the month at Noon

First Presbyterian Church Chapel (Park on North side of Church)

215 Locust Street NE

Albuquerque, NM 87102