Love is the only Magic



Merlin Said - by Patrick Murfin

Love is the only magic.

It enriches the giver
as it nourishes the object.

It serves the instant,
and washes over the ages.

It is as particular as the moon
and as universal as the heavens.

If it is returned it is multiplied,
yet spurned it is not diminished.

It is as lusty as the rutting stag
but chaste as the unicorn's pillow.

It comes alike to the king on his throne
and the cutpurse in the market.

If you would have magic,
place faith in love or nothing.

========================================

If we look at all our woes in this world and we try our mightiest to find the one solution, love might just be it. Is it realistic to set down the violence, injustice, anger, hate and pick up love instead? The words have rang out across the world for millennium and speak to me:

Martin Luther King called us out: "Loving Your Enemies." It’s so basic to me because it is a part of my basic philosophical and theological orientation—the whole idea of love, the whole philosophy of love. In the fifth chapter of the gospel as recorded by Saint Matthew, we read these very arresting words: "Ye have heard that it has been said, ‘Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

I struggle with the patriarchal "Father, Lord and Master" language, but the premise of Love seems sound. Yet... I do wonder if these words continue to hold those who have been held emotionally and physically in bondage for generations upon generations to feel as if they are meant to acquiesce... 

I clearly cannot answer this question for those who have been oppressed for other "isms" then my own, but I do wonder, for humankind in general, is LOVE the only magic that will stop the violence and killing?




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