Lately, I’ve struggled with this question:

How does “only love dispels hate” work in the face of mortal danger?

This question has become like a mantra to me. It occupies much of my waking moments, and several of my conversations. It haunts me.

What prompted my consternation is the recent spate of violence in the Middle East and the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya. How would “only love dispels hate” have prevented that tragedy, and stemmed the wave of terrorism?

This has weighed on me heavily.

Knowing my spiritual and emotional turmoil, a wise friend sent me this cartoon:

I like that. And it immediately helped soothe my troubled thoughts.

But it did not totally answer my question because Continue reading →