Only Love Can Do That
Word from Wiese
17 January 2024
Friends in faith,
A simple note for you today. But extremely substantive. Ten convictions, one or some of which might help propel you all week or maybe your entire life.
The first five are from Martin Luther King, Jr., whose courageous faith in witness we honored two days ago. And since “Daddy King,” citing the deep inspiration he drew from Martin Luther, legally changed his own first name and that of his son from Michael to Martin, let’s share a complementary five from that different type of reformer five centuries earlier :
“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Washington National Cathedral, March 31, 1968.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Strength to Love, 1963.
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Letter from Birmingham, Alabama jail, April 16, 1963.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Strength to Love, 1963.
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“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”
“A Christian ought to think: (Since) my God has given me in Christ all the riches . . . . Why should I not therefore freely, joyfully, with all my heart, and with an eager will do all things which I know are pleasing and acceptable to such a Father? I will therefore give myself as a Christ to my neighbor, just as Christ offered himself to me.”
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Question:
Which quote struck your heart? If you have a moment, shoot me a quick email and let me know. May the conviction of that quote be blessed by the Holy Spirit to propel you well into your baptismal light-shining this week!
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray.
We give you thanks and praise, O Lord, for those who inspire us. For their willingness to risk reputation to speak the truth. For their courage to pay the price of isolation, threat, anguish, self-doubt, and ridicule that inevitably comes whenever one boldly lifts the light of God’s justice up to a world of darkness. Guide us so that the fires of hope tended by others, when pleasing to you, may take spark and flame in our own lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5.16-17
