1998 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 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 by those who are oppressed....
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 that those who work for peace in our world may cry out first for
justice....
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 we may see nothing in isolation, but may know ourselves bound to
one another and to all people under heaven....
We remember Martin's lament that "the contemporary church is often a weak,
ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter for 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....
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 the radiant stars of love and brotherhood
will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."
Therefore, in faith, let us commend ourselves and our work for justice to the goodness
of almighty God.
(Quotations from letter from the Birmingham City Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.;
Litany by W. B. McClain and L. H. Stookey, U.S.A., 20th cent.) |