Today I shared testimony in support of a repeal to the death penalty in the State of Maryland. Governor O'Malley presented convincing arguments for its repeal. Lt Gov Brown and NAACP President Ben Jealous joined the chorus. I added my voice.
One of the most compelling arguments was presented by Rev Megan Foley, whose father was killed and his killers were caught, tried, and executed. She indicated that the healing and closure promised as a result of her father's killers being put to death, did not happen.
Only when she discovered the power of love was she able to heal and move on with her life. It was not love for what her killers had done to her father. It was to refuse to allow hate, revenge, and remorse consume her life and stunt her ability to love. She achieved the healing and wholeness that only comes from God.
Matthew 5:43-45(KJV) "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say into you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite fully use you, and persecute you; that Ye may be children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
If we could ever learn the power of love, what a world this would be.
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