Perseverance in Love

With so many diseases of the soul manifesting today — war, greed, racism, intolerance — I often turn my hopeful eyes to the next generation, because many of the young people I encounter seem very accepting of people who are different than they are. However, our oldest generation also can be a source of hope, because they give us a long view: Wars eventually end. It is possible to make progress, however tenuous, in civil rights. Dictators can and have been removed from power. Enemies can learn to live together when their children fall in love.

But what about now? Is our only option to wait in patience for tides to turn? By all means, no! Our daily acts of respect for others, our small demonstrations of kindness, our willingness to listen to others, the continual efforts of parents and teachers to raise compassionate kids — all these actions have power, and collectively they will bring us to a tipping point that leads to a more just society. The one thing we cannot do is give in to despair and stop our efforts, however small they may seem. We have to be faithful to what we know is true — that “love is the most powerful force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable,” as Gandhi said — and keep at our humble tasks. By doing so, we are helping to create the world we want to live in.

I’ve shared this story before, but it’s worth repeating. One person said to another, “What do you think the future will hold?” “Flowers,” came the response. “Why flowers?” “Because I am planting flower seeds.”

Our elders taught us to set aside impatience and persevere in living in the way of truth. They didn’t have to do it alone, and neither do we, when we make an effort to create mutually supportive families, friendships, neighborhoods, congregations, and workplaces. “If you want to have hope,” as Daniel Berrigan said, “do hopeful things” — and you will find that others are eager to join you.