Wisdom from a modern-day prophet

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” These are the words of Martin Luther King, Jr, one of the greatest Christian believers in modern-day America. His dream of a just society for all Americans was reflected in both his actions and his words. His faith was in Jesus, the King of Love. He refused to use violence or destruction against white men who perpetrated violence against the Negro. He always advocated only non-violent, peaceful protests. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”  He spoke of unity among men and women: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”. Since 1948, more than 200 black churches and homes had been bombed in the South. Even after this and having witnessed torture and lynchings by mobs of vicious men, he spoke only of forgiveness: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude … I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear”. On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation on television to urge Congress to pass comprehensive civil rights legislation and to address the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. He said that any American, regardless of their skin color, should be able to eat lunch in a restaurant without intimidation, send his children to the best school available, and to vote for the public officials who will represent him. A prophet is someone who calls out our sin, but also gives us reason to hope. As MLK, Jr, once said: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope”. – – – Fr. Jim