Today CP re-visits posts/materials from years back about Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Over the years “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” has been recommended as CP reading material by several (link to the letter in its entirety HERE and audio of Dr. King reading it HERE) It’s a compelling response to the regional clergy’s letter of that day, where among other things they suggest to Dr. King:
We further strongly urge our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations, and to unite locally in working peacefully for a better Birmingham. When rights are consistently denied, a cause should be pressed in the courts and in negotiations among local leaders, and not in the streets. We appeal to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense.
Among his responses, Dr. King mentions
Maybe again, I have been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to status-quo to save our nation and the world? Maybe I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ecclesia and the hope of the world.
What injustices come to mind in your community? Is your organized religious group – if you have one – making great strides on this topic? Are there opportunities for you and your friends to make a difference, inside or outside of the organized church? Can you turn your faith to the “inner spiritual church?”
We close with this prayerful/hopeful commentary from Dr. King’s letter:
“Let us all hope that the 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.”
AMEN!
May we continue working with organized religion where possible, and with our human community-at-large, to “demonstrate” in ways consistent with justice!
Enjoy the day, filled with the sacrificial Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 21, 2024:
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POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to
- share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
- check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
- volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
- find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
- accept a Call to Action item from Season of Peace devotional posting
NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE
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