Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it. (Martin Luther King, Jr, 20th century civil rights leader)

The violence and acrimony that we see demonstrated on television in the evening news seems to reflect a growing presence of hatred across our country. Whether it’s racial, political, or religious, it is dangerous and can be fatal to consensus-building and unity. The antidote, of course, is a love that seeks the best for others, not for selfish gain.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. (Proverbs 10:12)