Today we commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. In April of 1963, he composed his now famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” King was President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. At the request of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, he came to Birmingham to engage in a non-violent protest. He came, he marched and he was jailed for his actions.

While imprisoned in the Birmingham City Jail he received a very critical letter from eight fellow clergymen in Alabama. Deeply disappointed with their thinking, he responded. He described the need for action which was consistent with Jesus’ extremist love. He drew parallels with the Apostle Paul who preached the Gospel of Jesus even when he was imprisoned for doing so.

Two paragraphs at the close of the letter touched me in particular, the first for its honesty, the second for its unfailing hope.

“Never before have I written so long a letter. I’m afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts and pray long prayers?

“I hope this letter finds you strong in the faith. I also hope that circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as an integrationist or a civil rights leader but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother. 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.”

Today, 57 years later, we observe this day to honor the memory of  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Those of us of a certain age remember hearing his voice on the evening news. We watched him and we listened. His impact was undeniable.

And, 57 years later, we look around us and we see that the struggle goes on. “Fear-drenched communities” and a “deep fog of misunderstanding” continue to cloud our country. I fear Dr. King would be most disappointed with us. I reckon our Lord is also disappointed with us. Yet in His unfathomable graciousness, He loves us with unconditional love, and urges us on to share that love.

Lord, forgive us for our indifference and coldness, forgive our rush to judgement with those who differ from us. Fill our hearts with Your love, so that here in this place “the star of love and brotherhood may shine.”

Judy