In the name of love

Since people are posting MLK links today, here's mine: Paul's Letter to American Christians, a sermon from 1956. Almost all of his points are still relevant today. I especially like parts of his call for justice and action at the end:

May I say just a word to those of you who are struggling against this evil. Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation  of  becoming bitter. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence... 

In your struggle for justice, let your oppressor know that you are not attempting to defeat or humiliate him, or even to pay him back for injustices that he has heaped upon you. Let him know that you are merely seeking justice for him as well as yourself... 

...Honesty impels me to admit that such a stand will require willingness to suffer and sacrifice. So don’t despair if you are condemned  and persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Whenever you take a stand for truth and justice, you  are liable to scorn. Often you will be called an impractical idealist or a dangerous radical. Sometimes it might mean going to jail. If such is the case you must honorably grace the jail with your presence. It might even mean physical death. But if physical death is the price that some must pay to free their children from a permanent life of psychological death, then nothing could be more Christian. Don’t worry about persecution America; you are going to have that if you stand up for a great principle.

 Recommended reading for this day.