Saturday, December 2l, 2002

Luke 2: 24 - 27

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote these words in the final chapter of his l967 classic Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?

Some time ago a famous novelist died. Among his papers was found a list of suggested plots for future stories, the most prominently underscored being this one: "A widely separated family inherits a house in which they have to live together"' This is the great new problem of mankind. We have inherited a large house, a great "world house" in which we have to live together--black and white, Easterner and Westerner, Gentile and Jew. Catholic and Protestant, Moslem and Hindu--a family unduly separated in ideas, culture and interest, who, because we can never again live apart, must somehow learn to live with each other in peace.

Martin Luther King, Jr. led the movement for racial equality in the USA in the l950s and 60s. As a Baptist pastor, his motivation was fundamentally Christian, but he was strongly influenced by Mohandas Gandhi, a 20th century Hindu pioneer of non-violent actions to attain basic human rights. Dr. King preached a message of non-retaliation and full integration of blacks and whites in national life. King experienced verbal and physical abuse from white segregationists, including political leaders and police. Yet he demanded that protestors of racial inequality accept the penalties for breaking unjust laws in order to get those laws changed.

In the following words from the same book quoted above, Dr. King provided an insightful definition of "power" for a nation, especially its white citizens, concerned about the term "Black Power."

Power, properly understood is the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political or economic changes. In this sense power is not only desirable but also necessary in order to implement the demands of love and justice.

During the l963 March on Washington, Dr. King became even more of a recognized leader of the effort to move the US closer to its ideals than he had been during the Birmingham bus boycott of l96l. At the Lincoln Memorial King delivered his widely acclaimed "I Have I Dream" speech that continues to inspire people of many nations. His true greatness was recognized by the awarding to him of the Nobel Peace Prize in l964.

In l965 King led the struggle for the voting rights of black Americans, especially in the Selma, Alabama confrontation. This action was a major factor in enactment of the Voting Rights Act that same year.

Dr. King in l967 spoke out strongly against American military action in Vietnam. His courageous stand underscored his commitments to non-violence and to the priority of world peace over personal popularity and safety.

Until the time of his unfortunate early death at the age of 39, Martin Luther King, Jr. continued to preach and participate in the causes of justice and peace. After a day on the picket line of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, TN, King was assassinated (April 4, l968). His country and the world community lost a man of true greatness that day. A small consolation is the annual reminder of his outstanding life by the observance of the national holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day every January l5th.

O God of every nation, of every race and land, redeem your whole creation with your almighty hand; where hate and fear divide us, and bitter threats are hurled, in love and mercy guide us, and heal our strife-torn world. From search for wealth and power and scorn of truth and right, from trust in bombs that shower destruction through the night, from pride of race and station and blindness to your way, deliver every nation, eternal God, we pray .
          William W. Reid, Jr.      UM Hymnal #435

In l964 King received the Nobel Peace Prize, a richly deserved recognition for his efforts. An assassin's bullet ended King's life in April l968, but his work continues through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other organizations that share his goal of racial integration of US society.

Frank Kuhlman

All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.