“Our World is a Neighborhood”
Happy New Year.
Our region will soon celebrate the life, and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 22, 2023, at 4pm in the Disciples Ministry Center, Fullerton, CA. It has been wonderful to hear his works, and ministry remembered in pulpits across our congregations and beyond. Amid these, I highlight a reflection “A Man for Our Time” shared via Facebook by Rev. Brian Daly, Pastor of Pacific Beach Christian Church. Rev. Daly reflected on parts of Dr. King’s last Sunday morning sermon (March 31, 1968) Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution.
Here is an excerpt: “Our world is a neighborhood. Through our scientific and technological genius, we have made of this world a neighborhood and yet … we have not had the ethical commitment to make of it a brotherhood. But somehow, and in some way, we have got to do this. We must all learn to live together as brothers. Or we will all perish together as fools. We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way God’s universe is made; this is the way it is structured.”[1]
As noted by Rev. Daly, this voice is still speaking to our time/s. Amen. Hence, Dr. King is still “a man for our time.” I wonder if you hear and agree with this voice and vision for our time. While the masculine terms might jar, in our time. At heart we know that Dr. King’s vision engendered everyone. Afterall, his words, “whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” Some understand the world is changing. Indeed, science and technology has had it “become a neighborhood.” I wonder if true for you, what has changed greater is you, and I. We hope for the better. Amid the changes, challenges, and complexities. May we recover and renew the flame of our ethical commitments to bring about God’s reign, here and now. Afterall, we proclaim it is among us. It is in our daily living, work, effort, neighborhoods, and communities, together, we build and realize the beauty of God’s Kin-dom. You, and I are important to make this world better for all.
Let us “Arise, Anew.”
Grateful for Dr. King and for his works!
Blessings,
Richie
[1] Washington, James Melvin. A Testament of Hope: The essential writings and speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. Harper Collins, 1991. Pg. 269