MLK Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 77 today. I forget that he was so young when he died. Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he was killed at 39. Both of them pushed in areas that made others uncomfortable. They inspire me and also make me feel like I'm not doing a blasted thing to make the world a better place.

I've blogged before about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his sermons. I love that he kept fighting. Fighting for what he believed in while walking onto thinner and thinner ice, moving from fighting racism to poverty and the Vietnam War. Like other prophets, he said things people needed but didn't want to hear.

This King quote has been rattling around in my brain over the past couple of days.

The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

If you want to get goosebumps, listen to King's speech at the March on Washington, "I Have a Dream."

Make it plain

I've been listening to A Knock at Midnight. It's a fabulous CD of Martin Luther King Jr's sermons. This might sound funny, but they're not at all preachy! I think anyone who has a passion for justice would be inspired.

It's fun to listen to the reactions of the audience. "Make it plain," "Lord help him," "Amen," "Yes sir." I bet when they passed the peace it lasted more than 20 seconds!

I love how he challenges everyone, but particularly people of faith. He says that that ought to have big implications on how you live your life (and he wasn't talking about abortion or homosexuals).

"Never succumb to the temptation to be bitter. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love... Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos."
--from "Paul's Letter to American Christians."

His Jesus isn't the delicate, non-threatening Jesus but the one who is in the nitty gritty of life, upsetting the status quo and advocating for the poor and oppressed.

I can't imagine how bleak things looked while the Civil Rights movement was at full steam. I'm sure it was extraordinarily difficult to keep hoping while things looked so dire. I find his fiery sermons a such comfort and a big kick in the pants during this regime. What a blessing to have records to remind us of the cloud of witnesses who have gone, and fought, before.

P.S. Happy anniversary Mom and Dad!