Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy Martin Luther King Junior Day!

In honor of the faithful activist Martin Luther King, Jr., I would like to share a call and response text I read at Saint Mark's Presbyterian Church yesterday.  I found Martin's quotes to be both touching and timely.  

Our Response in Faith

Call

Response

We remember the conviction of Martin Luther King Jr. that "freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."

Therefore, let us pray for courage and determination to stand by those who are oppressed. (Silent prayer)

We remember Martin's warning that "a negative peace which is the absence of tension" is less than "a positive peace which is the presence of justice."

Therefore, let us pray and work for justice for all people that we may live in peace with one another. (Silent prayer)

We remember Martin's insight that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

Therefore, let us pray that we may see nothing in isolation, but may know ourselves bound to one another and to all people under heaven. (Silent prayer)

We remember Martin's lament that "the contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound.  It is so often that arch-supporter of the status quo.  Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are."

Therefore, let us pray that neither this congregation nor any congregation of Christ's people may be silent in the face of wrong, but that we may be disturbers of the status quo when that is God's call to us. (Silent prayer)

We remember Martin's hope that "dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities and in some not-too-distant tomorrow that radiant stars of love and true community will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."

Therefore, let us be a people of hope as we work and pray toward a world of peace and justice.  Amen