01-13-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 13, 2024
What does it mean to honor a legacy like that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? He was not a perfect man, yet he sought to embody the perfect love of God. I cannot fathom the hateful rhetoric, threats against family, and physical violence that he endured. I would hope that I’d stay true to my convictions, but I cannot guarantee it. King, along with so many others, not only had an unshakeable image of the divine dream in his head, but he believed in the ideals of that dream as the mechanism by which the dream would be fulfilled. Though very creative, Dr. King did not create this approach. It found its inspiration in Jesus and how the Jesus life pointed to a Kin(g)dom of love. And the only way to that Kin(g)dom was through love. There is a story in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus is asked about paying taxes, and Jesus asked about whose image was on the coin used to pay the tax. It was Caesar’s image, and Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what belongs to God.” Jesus seemed to be pointing to the image of God that rests upon every human being, but I believe it goes one step further. If we are giving to God what belongs to God, then we are giving to God how we live our lives, the choices we make, and even how we value things like our enemies. The emphasis is not simply that we carry the image of God, though true according to our faith. I believe Jesus was suggesting that our way of living should belong to God. This is another case where I hope my life can remain true to those convictions.

For all the amazing models I have, but especially for Jesus, I am thankful, O Merciful God. May I continue to strive toward the goal of having every aspect of my life belong to you. Amen.