One of the worst days in our country’s history is January 6, 2021 – the day when insurgents overran our Capitol causing death, injury and destruction. We cannot help but remember it every January 6 since. And, on the liturgical calendar, it is the day of Epiphany. On this day magi laid gifts before the baby Jesus and acknowledged him as king - a true king who would bring God’s way of love to the whole world.
This year January 20 is Inauguration Day and it is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A new administration begins on the day of national gratitude for King’s prophetic life and legacy. Perhaps this coincidence might be an invitation to the new administration to seek inspiration from the witness of Dr. King. Perhaps it’s an invitation for us all to stand squarely in the footprints he left behind.
In 1968, a few months before he was assassinated, Dr. King preached a sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church. In it, he imagined what he would like said of him at his own funeral. This prescient text was read soon after on April 9, 1968, at King’s nationally televised funeral:
“I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.” [1]
Justice, peace and righteousness – truly these are worthy passions for every person called to lead others. The next president has a great opportunity to begin again in the most powerful office in the land. Legacy is something all elected leaders might contemplate on this day weighted with both national celebrations. Perhaps the convergence of these two calendar events calls us all to lives of greater service and self-giving love in the days ahead.
Dr. King reminds us: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” There will be challenges ahead for our nation and for all people of faith. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. King proclaimed. We must all, from this inauguration day forward, stand together for peace and justice and righteousness. We must commit our lives to the work of love in this world – to love as the path itself. Martin taught us. “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
“We’ve got some difficult days ahead.” Again, Martin’s words, not mine, but we have the hope of God’s dream for this world and a faith that moves mountains. Join me in prayer today for our nation. Let’s ask Blessed Martin to be with us as we make our way to the Promised Land of peace, justice and righteousness.
+Doug
[1]King, “The Drum Major Instinct,” Sermon Delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, in A Knock at Midnight, ed. Carson and Holloran, 1998.
