Before I Forget
-When one dies thousands rise
           For Martyrs are made to multiply
           The stars catch the sound
            The wind carries the word... -N. Ellsworth Bunce
  -Jesus was neither a revolutionary nor a defender of the existing order.  What Jesus stressed, rather, was individual change of character.-Oscar Cullman 
               It is said that we are formed by what we admire.  Hopefully, our young will be formed by what is good, true , and choose a morality that will serve them, and society, well.  There is so much in our culture that is merely glib or successful to mislead them on their journey.  They are bombarded to admire superficial beauty, power, and flash-in-the-pan celebrity.

How are the young, and not so young, to learn what is right?  Is reading and formal education enough?  Don't all of us learn from the courage, goodness, and selfishness of human beings?  In my own life I've studied the great books, philosophy, ethics and hours of theological and scriptural commentaries.  But is has been people, good human beings, who have inspired me the most.  What about you?  Who are the people who inspired you on life's journey?  Maybe it was a teacher, a neighbor, or the parent of a friend.  More often than not, we learn the most, not from textbooks, but from other human beings.
As Catholic Christians we try our best to live by the gospels. Once again, I have learned more about gospel living from the lives of others than by just studying sacred scripture. Christianity lives in people who are witnesses to us that it is possible to take Jesus Christ and his teachings seriously and live our lives accordingly. Even though we are surrounded by non-believers, we believe and "live in such a way that one's life would not make sense if God did not exist." (Cardinal Suhard).
For 2000 years, ordinary human beings have followed Jesus Christ.  Like you and me they had their weaknesses, doubts, fears, limitations and human flaws.  They were not perfect, but they became authentic human beings.  Who are some of those authentic Christians that you admire and who excite you about being a Christian in 2003?  When you talk with your children, or any young person, is there someone who excites them about being a Catholic Christian?  Many of our young people respect and admire John Paul II and Mother Teresa. Tonight at your evening meal, how about talking about the man Americans honor tomorrow Martin Luther King, Jr.  Why is tomorrow a national holiday?  What was so special about Dr. King the almost 35 years after his death, we have a holiday in his memory?
Dr. King had a dream, a vision, that even to this day stirs up controversy, upsets some people, and questions the status quo of American life.  He was a champion for the people who were hardly noticed in our society just 35 years ago.  He preached that all people have dignity.  Dr. King received a PhD. From Boston University then went back to Atlanta to be a pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in 1954. Was Dr. King a perfect human being?  Hardly, He struggled to be a faithful child of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ and like all of us he had his wounds and flaws.  He was born in this great country.  Some believe that he was America's only true spiritual genius.   What do you think is MLK's place in our "religious" and "political" history?  Assassinated in 1968, is he still relevant for the times we live in?  What do you think he would say to President Bush about the war on terrorism, AIDS in Africa, the poor in the USA, oppressed people here and abroad, race issues, materialism, non-violence, American values, civil disobedience, education, children, abortion, the brother-sisterhood of all humanity, corporate avarice, the prison system and death penalty in the US, a vision for a new world, and should this great country become the good Samaritan to those who have been abandoned on the side of the road to Jericho?  Dr. King always spoke about love... loving the enemy... loving those that hate us.  The love he spoke about is the opposite of fear.  It is the ability to stand up, speak the truth, to seek justice in the face of those who have harmed you, knowing that they will probably hurt you again.
Do you believe that MLK has something good to teach your children about being a child of God, a disciple of Christ, and an American-in that order?  Dr. King took great risks, challenged himself, the Church, and society. Do we challenge ourselves, our young, our friends, our faith community to upset the status quo as Dr. King did?
Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis where he went to lend support to the city's sanitation workers who were on strike, even though colleagues told him not to go.  On the night before his death he addressed a rally and ended with these words:
Well, I don't know what will happen now.  We've got some difficult days ahead.  But it doesn't matter with me now.  Because I've been to the mountaintop.  And I don't mind.  Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.  Longevity has its place.  But I'm not concerned about that now.  I just want to do God's will.  And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain.  And I've looked over.  And I've seen the Promised Land.  I may not get there with you.  But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.  And I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything.  I'm not fearing any man.  Mine have seen the coming of the Lord.
     Dr. King, April 4, 1968, was still evolving.  His conduct wasn't always perfect...he said of himself... "I want you to know... that I am a sinner like all God's children.  But I want to be a good man.  And I want to hear a voice saying to me one day, 'I take you in and I bless you, because you tried'" Dr. King struggled to be his best despite his weakness.  Oh, that the same could be said of each one of us.

Enjoy Monday!
Fr. Bill