I have heard it said that hate is an inevitable reverse side of love which comes in the end, part of a 'cycle of passion'. So often in newspapers, we read of relationships 'turning sour'… when people can't 'get what they want', they become enemies. But surely this is a misunderstanding of what it is to love. Love isn't a finite romantic cycle, it's wanting the best for others, and making a choice to give. Even if others turn to hate and hurt, we can ignore the trend, and break the cycle by being loving and creative.
"...if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies." (Martin Luther King)
