If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred.
—Bhagavad-Gita
We seldom see this kind of heroism, but it does happen. Vice President Joseph Biden, who is mourning the recent death of his son from brain cancer, spoke to the members of the Charleston church that was still coping with the massacre of nine of its members by a white supremacist.
Vice President Biden paid a surprise visit to Sunday morning services at Emanuel AME Church here, telling congregants that he came to support them and to help get through his own mourning.
“My family and I wanted to show our solidarity,” Biden said during five minutes of remarks.
Standing next to one of the church’s pastors, he said: “But to be selfish about it, reverend, the reason we came was to draw some strength from all of you, to draw some strength from the church.”
—Washington Post
Later he talked privately with Joseph Riley, the mayor of Charleston. When the mayor was asked what they had talked about, he said,
He just talked about the wonderful example this community has given the world about how to respond to tragedy with peace and unity.
Love doesn’t always win over hate, but it does sometimes happen. Some people do have that kind of courage.
June 30, 2015
That was a very fine thing to do. I admire that kind of reaching out.
Me too!
And it is so great when it does and they do.
I agree.
this post is inspirational from beginning to end.
gives me hope.
i’ve actually admired joe biden for a long time.
the way he lived his life with his sons after the death of their mother and little sister. courage there too.
Yes. I wish he were a better leader. We need some with his integrity.
I’m glad to read about this. I hadn’t heard it anywhere else.
I, too, was pleased when I read it.
Yes, a good man.
Few and far between I’m afraid.
Nice to read this.
People like that are extraordinary, but it’s nice to know some do exist.