On Monday, Jan. 17, our nation will once again celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a country and as a Church, we pray that this day is not just another federal holiday, but a day to recommit ourselves to peace, justice and racial harmony. This is the legacy of Dr. King, and the many MLK Day of Service activities that will take place are an important way to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy.
Service activities, important as they are, are just one way of honoring Dr. King. Another and perhaps more important way is to work toward racial harmony. I remember so well being glued to the television and watching Pope Francis when he addressed Congress during his pastoral visit to the United States in 2015. Pope Francis paid special tribute to the contributions of four great Americans – two Catholics, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton, and two non-Catholics, Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
When he referenced Dr. King, the pope said, “I think of the march which Martin Luther King led from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his ‘dream’ of full civil and political rights for African Americans. That dream continues to inspire us all. I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of ‘dreams.’ Dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment. Dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people.”
Much progress has been made since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Sadly, however, the dream of Dr. King remains out of reach for many. Long-standing prejudices still inflict pain to many. It is a sin to see yourself as superior to another. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear: “racism and every form of discrimination based on sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design” (Catechism, par. 1935 and Gaudium et Spes, no. 29).
God’s Word clearly proclaims the oneness of the human family. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we know all men and women are created in God’s image. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus clearly states that what you do to the least of his brothers and sisters you do unto him. (Mt. 25). The Bishops of the United States published a document in 2018 that called out the evil of racism: “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.” I encourage parish and school groups and families to read that document. It can be found at USCCB.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism. The bishops also published an accompanying study guide. It will be worth the effort for parish and school groups to prayerfully and honestly read and reflect on this document.
The past few years have reminded us that we have a long way to go. Riots in city streets and our nation’s capital, and images of police brutality saddened us all. We know that laws and public policy changes are critical in ensuring racial justice in our county. But laws can only do so much. What is most needed is conversion of hearts. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “love is ultimately the only answer to mankind’s problems.” As a Baptist minister, he knew the Gospels and echoed the call of Jesus to love one another. Dr. King’s favorite hymn was “Take my hand, precious Lord.”
As we honor Dr. King this week, pray that our Precious Lord will take not only our hands, but also our hearts, and mold them to his Most Sacred Heart. Help us, Precious Lord, to love others as you call us to love.
Father Guest is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, NJ and coordinator of the Black Catholic Ministry Commission and the Racial Justice Commission.
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