This past Monday was the national observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. And, over the course of last weekend and this week, there were many remembrances. In Manchester, on Monday afternoon, the annual MLK gathering at Memorial High School was well-attended and people were encouraged – yet again – to remember “the dream” of a nation that is united and whole, based not on the color of one’s skin or background, but upon the premise that “all [people] are created equal.”
King based this vision on the concept of The Beloved Community – a Biblical image taken from the prophet Isaiah (Chapter 11) and then interpreted for the present day. According to an essay from The King Center,
In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. In the Beloved Community, international disputes will be resolved by peaceful conflict-resolution and reconciliation of adversaries, instead of military power. Love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred. Peace with justice will prevail over war and military conflict. (https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/)
When I read about King’s vision of the Beloved Community in 2026 – nearly 58 years after his assassination – all I can think is that we have a long way to go. At the same time, King’s vision is a blueprint – not unlike the blueprint laid out through the loving and nonviolent ministry of Jesus Christ – that provides a path forward for individuals, for communities, for our nation, and world. . . and even (perhaps, especially) for the church.
The hope of the Beloved Community is the hope that we – and the rest of the world – have a different way to follow – a Way that follows in the footsteps of Jesus, based on the agape love of God, “an overflowing love. . . the love of God operating in the human heart.”
God’s love is an all-consuming and unstoppable love. Our human struggle is often allowing ourselves to be swept up in it and allowing our minds and hearts to be changed by it. God’s love is persistent, though. And in Jesus Christ, God proves God’s love by not giving up on us. God is always working on us, in us, through us, and sometimes in spite of us. May we respond with open-hearted gratitude as we seek the Beloved Community. . . We have work to do, and yet, we are not alone in this work.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
PS – This coming week, I will be on vacation. Know that you can contact the church office and we will have some folks on-call to respond.
Prepare for Worship
This Sunday: “All Together. . . Now! (Not the Only Constant)
Read Psalm 27
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Read Matthew 4:12-23
Read or sing Hymn # 751 – “From the Nets of Our Labor”
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video Hymns at FPC: “From the Nets of Our Labor”Preview YouTube video Hymns at FPC: “From the Nets of Our Labor”