Violence Begets Violence

HO-SHANG KUNG says, “Those who honor the Way and Virtue are not fond of weapons. They keep hatred from their hearts. They eliminate disaster before it arises. They are angered by nothing. They use kindness among neighbors and virtue among strangers. They conquer their enemies without fighting and command through humility.”

Dhammapada: Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

It is here, precisely here, according to Lonergan, that Jesus revealed the saving power of “the Law of the Cross.” It is really the law of love ready to die rather than hate. It is such love, such refusal to hate, such non-violence that can change things–not immediately but surely. In so loving, in so dying, Jesus reveals how we can stop or break t

BUT I SAY TO YOU THAT HEAR, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU. —LUKE 6:27