This Monday, January 16th, marks the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is known as MLK Day.
Those younger than 65 years old have no personal recollection of Dr. King and the dynamic force he brought to the “cry for civil rights.”
Dr. King was not a politician, neither was he a journalist nor a television personality. Dr. King succeeded his father as pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
He framed the call for justice in the teaching of the Scriptures, the prophetic teaching of the Old Testament and the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament.
King ignited a fire which drew men and women out of churches and synagogues to make public their demand for racial justice.
King affirmed that justice and equity were rooted in the Word of God.
In an international Synod of Bishops, convoked by Pope Paul VI, the principle was proclaimed: “A constitutive element of the identity of the Church is action in behalf of justice and peace.”
Worship, evangelization and justice are the “three legs of the milk stool” on which the Church rests – each of them is constitutive of the Church.
So much of the 20th century call for justice and peace is reflected in the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr. Monday is not just a national holiday; it is a time to remember, celebrate and rededicate ourselves to ‘The Dream”.
Fr. Steve Adrian
FR. ADRIAN IS ON VACATION
Fr. Adrian will be on vacation from January 9 to February 7, 2023. Fr. Leo Schneider, Fr. Matthew Linn, and Fr. Joseph Bambenek will be substituting for Fr. Adrian.
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