I am off this morning to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. memorial breakfast sponsored by St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church and the Union United Methodist Church. This day, whether we attend an event like the breakfast or not, is our yearly opportunity to give thanks for the life and witness of Dr. King and all he sacrificed to deepen the humanity of each one of us. This is a day of gratitude to God for giving us the gift of Dr. King and the thousands, if not millions, of civil rights advocates who have brought us further into the circle of Christ's freedom. Our country has come a long way in securing the rights of every person because of the work of Dr. King and all of these courageous people.
But this is also a day which is meant to inform our prayer and challenge us as well. For if we are honest we all know as individuals, as a church and as nation that we have a long way to go in achieving equality for all people in our land. It is a day not only for celebration but self-examination as well.
At some point in this day or week will you stop for a moment and join me in this prayer:
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE
Jan. 17, 2011