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Today’s offering, friends, was written by me a long time ago. In 1970, to be more precise.

Called “The Last Word,” I included it in my collection of columns, published forty years ago.

I think it is timely today, especially in our divided, often toxic political environment in which we now live.

Will the haters among us even pause to consider the point I then tried to make?

Anyway, here it is:

In early November Sally and I were privileged to receive an invitation to attend the annual meeting of a men’s Bible class in which the wives were invited. (Bethany Methodist Church in Wanchese, NC)

I was particularly looking forward to it because I knew the home cooked food would be really outstanding. Not the noblest of reasons, but a sound one, nevertheless. And I was not disappointed.

In addition to the grand meal, and some beautiful music, there was a short memorial service – a remembrance of dignity and reverence – for those members of the class who had died during the past year.

This brief pause in the lives of these good folk, who cared enough about their brothers to pay them homage, was very touching. A candle was lit for each, to honor their memory. A simple, but beautiful gesture.

Sitting in the Fellowship Hall that evening helped renew for me the inescapable truth that we are all brothers and sisters in the family of God.

To be remembered in love by your former earthly brothers and sisters makes living more meaningful. It’s so, so easy to forget. So human-like.

If there was a lesson in the simple act of lighting a candle, saying a prayer, pausing to remember, it is simply that life is precious, life does have meaning, and that the people in one’s life are dear,

It was very obvious that real love was present in that room, in that rural church that evening. There was a genuine feeling of “And all ye are brethren.”

This feeling, if carried out into all the world, and it could be, would be the mightiest force ever unleashed in the history of humankind.

There is no power on earth greater than love. No power.
And, as the words of the song proclaim, “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love…”
APROPOS –“ Love is the last word…”
– Aldous Huxley
Note: On this day 86 years ago I arrived on the planet. Tempus Fugit. Sometimes.