As our nation celebrates the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 18, we have the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of his life and to recommit ourselves to the Gospel message he preached -- that the sin of racism can be defeated by active love and the light of faith. Following a year of heightened racial tension, we need to pause and reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of peace and non-violence, racial equality and justice for all. This is important for us and for our future generations.
The Catholic bishops of the United States, in their pastoral letter against racism titled, “Open Wide Our Hearts,” remind us that, “Through his cross and Resurrection, Christ united the one human race to the Father. However, even though Christ’s victory over sin and death is complete, we still live in a world affected by them. Racism occurs because a person ignores the fundamental truth that, because all humans share a common origin, they are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God.”
On this commemoration of the life of Dr. King, let us use this opportunity to pray for a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. The bishops also provided this key insight, “Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality and justice for all is even more challenging. However, in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make that journey.”
May we lift our hearts to Christ and through him pray to God our Father, in whose image we have all been made, and work for that justice which brings lasting peace. And let us share Dr. King’s dream that one day we will realize a founding principle of our nation, that all persons are created equal.