Unity and Action!
A reading for Thursday, January 12, 2017: Ephesians 4:1-7.
Like Paul in the book of Ephesians, Martin Luther King Jr. urged unity and action from behind bars in Birmingham, AL:
"Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world? Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia and the hope of the world. But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom. They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets of Albany, Georgia, with us. They have gone down the highways of the South on tortuous rides for freedom. Yes, they have gone to jail with us. Some have been dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops and fellow ministers. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. They have carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment."
As we remember MLK this weekend, we remember our worthy calling to work for justice and peace for all!
*For those in Nashville, don't forget about our screening of the movie "13th" at HPC starting at 2pm and the following panel discussion about our national criminal justice system and mass incarceration. Hope you can be there.
Like Paul in the book of Ephesians, Martin Luther King Jr. urged unity and action from behind bars in Birmingham, AL:
"Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world? Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia and the hope of the world. But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom. They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets of Albany, Georgia, with us. They have gone down the highways of the South on tortuous rides for freedom. Yes, they have gone to jail with us. Some have been dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops and fellow ministers. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. They have carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment."
As we remember MLK this weekend, we remember our worthy calling to work for justice and peace for all!
*For those in Nashville, don't forget about our screening of the movie "13th" at HPC starting at 2pm and the following panel discussion about our national criminal justice system and mass incarceration. Hope you can be there.
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