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FEBRUARY

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OUR DAYS
Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom Psalm 90:12

This day...in 1965 Martin Luther King, Jr. and 700 demonstrators were arrested in Selma Alabama (www.brainyhistory.com)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2008 was celebrated in the United States on January 22. On this occasion, I wrote the following piece for a post on a web blog I recently joined on  invitation of some friends -

Epiphany of the Prophet's Dream

And my people shall never again be put to shame…I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Joel 2:26-28

We join all peace loving citizens of the world in celebrating the life and witness of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968), civil rights activist, and the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January 15. It is one of four United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person (The other three federal holidays honoring individuals are: Christmas Day, Washington's Birthday (often called President's Day) and Columbus Day - Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org)

This day…as the freedom loving citizens of the United States bring to a close the celebration of MLKJ Day by holding hands and singing Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!, Filipino workers, peasants and farmers seeking freedom from economic and agrarian bondage from various parts of the Philippines march their way to the Malacanan Palace to express their lament for the senseless killing of 13 peasants in a similar protest rally 21 years ago. The protesters, however, were not allowed by the authorities to pass through the Don Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) bridge, a stone’s throw away from the palace, as the place has been declared a “no-rally zone.”

“The protesters dispersed peacefully at around 5 p.m. after holding a program at the foot of the bridge where they lighted candles for the slain peasants.”(Marchers blocked on the way to Mendiola,  By Gerard Naval, Malaya, 23 January 2008)

We see in this twin tales of non-violent actions an epiphany of the prophet’s dream of the Lord upholding His people and affirming His promise “And my people shall never again be put to shame.” It could also be named an Epiphany of Martyrdom with Christ reminding us that peace does not necessarily mean the absence of violence. In the case of Martin Luther King Jr. and also in the case of the Trece Martires of Mendiola, the way of violence translated into a worthy journey through the valley…with Christ into the presence of God!

It is also an epiphany of peace against the background of “the shadow of death.” And we shall ever dream the prophet’s dream –

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair…And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream...I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed : "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
                                                                                                               Martin Luther King, Jr

als, 22 January 2008
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OUR JOURNEY
Take...no bag for the journey...for the laborer deserves his food. Matthew 10:10

Kyle Dugan and Craig Mitchell, authors of The Way of Pilgrimage included Martin Luther King Jr. in the list of modern-day disciples of Jesus Christ -

That is what this pilgrimage is all about. It is about knowing yourself in relation to the One who paints the sunsets and cradles the sparrow, the One who inspired Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bono. These people heard the second, and no less important part of the call: to be transformed by the One who calls people to serve a hurting world--to find a worthwhile purpose beyond themselves.

To read The Way of Pilgrimage, CLICK HERE and KEY IN YOUR PASSWORD
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OUR TRIBUTE
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

With the prophet we trustingly claim your promise--never again will you let your people be put to shame. With the prophet we keep faith with the vision--this nation will rise up and live out its sacred creed--to guarantee the peoples equal share in the social costs and benefits of development of the nation's wealth and resources, under the guidance of God.