Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A Voice and A Purpose Driven by Justice and the Gospel

I was raised by a very prejudiced father. My father was a guy who had no tolerance for anything or anyone who was different than what he thought it or they should have been. A voice like Dr. Martin Luther King would not have been well received. Dr. Martin Luther King was a man who was considered different because of the color of his skin and because he stood for civil rights of those who were classified by others as second class citizens. Those whom society had thrown to the back of the bus or told that they had to go to different schools through segregation, Dr. King insisted that one day they would be in the same place, on the same buses, in the same schools and working side by side for justice, peace and equality.

Yet we know even in our time that equality is something that many consider to be a useless ambition. After all, women are not like men, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are not like heterosexuals to many, and people who are not caucasian are "no better than anyone else" so many today still say.

A few years ago when I used to work as a school bus driver in my local school district, every so often I would have conversations with a particular man who had very racist opinions and sometimes he and I would get into some arguments about the poor. He would say things like: "The people who live in poverty today, do not know what poverty means. They are there because they don't want to get out of it." I often tried to respond to him as someone who has been at the near poverty line time and time again. It often appeared easy for him to say what he said. He later would tell me about how he had only one pair of shoes when he was growing up in a poverty that many families today in his mind, do not know and will never know.

Dr. Martin Luther King's over all message was to find ways to bring all opposing parties together to the table to talk about equality for everyone. As far back as human history can go groups of people have always found reason to place one group of people below themselves. In many times and places in history, one group of people feels that they are so important that another group of people must suffer oppression at their hands. Leaders oppress non-leaders. Someone in power must be brought down by someone else more powerful. It's never been enough to say you are you, and I am me. You have yours and I have mine. Human history has lived time and again with people wanting what someone else has, so that there will be those who have an abundance and others who barely have what they need to survive.

The message of Jesus Christ and the message spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King was a message that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. All people are loved and should be loved. All people make mistakes, and everyone at one time or another needs to be forgiven or ask forgiveness. Today is as good of a day as any to commit and recommit ourselves to working for justice, peace and equality in whatever capacity we find ourselves. We should never accept oppression, nor should we take part in being an oppressive people. However, we can come to that place where we understand things now that we did not understand at another point in time. We can begin to change the world for the better, and we can always play our part what ever that part happens to be.

Let us today remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by remembering all who still live with oppression and discrimination even if that happens to be ourselves. Let us pray and work together to make the world a better place for everyone.

O God, the creator and preserver of all, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of people; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. (Prayer for All Sorts and Conditions, Book of Common Prayer, Page 814)

O merciful Father, who taught us in your holy Word that you would not willingly afflict us, look with pity upon the sorrows of the people of Haiti, LGBT people here and in Uganda and Rwanda for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for those in trouble or bereavement, Book of Common Prayer, Page 831)

Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To all who have executive authority and to all who have administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To those who make our laws give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. (Prayer for Sound Government, Book of Common Prayer, Page 821)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 826).