Article April 14, 2003 Issue

The love that does not take sides

By Chris Rankin—Quincy, Massachusetts, USA

In recent weeks, it has been difficult not to take sides on war and peace. I've realized, though, that I don't have to pick a side; I don't have to criticize anyone or hate anything. Rather, I can seek out the good in every person, and in every action.

Is this allowing myself to be passive about what's going on? I don't think so. It came to me one morning while praying that my job is simply to love. That means loving those called "enemies" as fully as I love my mother and father. It is not my job to assume that I know better than those making crucial decisions, but rather it's to have unconditional love in my heart for everyone involved in current conflicts.

I attended a public junior high school in Miami, Florida, where what you said, how you looked at others, and with whom you spoke, had everything to do with everday survival. I was pretty good at avoiding trouble, but one day another boy picked on me. Anger and fear took hold of me. I felt strongly that he was wrong, and that I needed to fix the situation. So, I stood up to him and spoke my piece. The confrontation escalated, and he came at me swinging, hitting me across the face with brass knuckles. I was so angry that I didn't flinch when he hit me.

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My prayers for peace
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