Justice, Righteousness and Martin Luther King, Jr!

"Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children"

~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.~

 

"True heroes make us better by challenging our misplaced priorities, 

expanding our vision of a better world, and inspiring us to pursue the vision.

Martin Luther King did that for me and countless others, 

and he continues to be one of my heroes."

~United Methodist Retired Bishop Kenneth L. Carder~ 

Read Bishop Carder's Reflection on the Ministry with* the Poor Blog

"Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."

The Prophet Amos (5:24)

When I think of Martin Luther King, Jr. I immediately think of these words of Amos and the vivid and powerful imagery they represent.  Dr. King quoted these prophetic words, among others in his Letter from Birmingham Jail dated 16 April 1963 addressed to his fellow clergymen.  It is a beautiful, long and poignant letter that challenges me with every reading, especially now as I am a clergywoman.  

I am challenged to deepen my love of others and to allow that love to move me to action born of extreme love.   Dr. King poses the rhetorical question: Was not Jesus an "extremist" for love?    Personally, I have never liked the word "extremist" because it made me fearful of being overwhelmed by something I could not control.   That has never been more true than today.   As I ponder this deeper call to love and non-violence, I wonder ... am I strong enough to let God's love fill me to the point of "extreme!"

Trembling I realize that love and non-violence requires letting go of control, consciously giving control over to others, and praying fervently, fearfully, and strongly "that justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." 

4 days in the Silence ...

I just spent about 4 days in the silence ... Remember Elijah's journey ... "Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence." 

I love Elijah.  His journey into the presence of God through sheer silence mirrors my own ... every time!   As I let go of all of the outside influences I certainly feel like I have sustained a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire before I am able to settle into that place where it is just me and God in the depths.

On my first day I prayed a prayer with Howard Thurman as my newest companion in the silence ... I abandon all that I think I am and all that I hope to be and all that I believe I possess.  I let go of the past.  I withdraw my grasping hand from the future.  And in the great silence of this [present/cs] moment, I alertly rest my soul.    Amen.

Over the next couple of days I wandered the grounds and the rooms at the Ruah Center at the Villa de Matel in Houston, Texas ... creating an art journal,

painting with watercolors and drawing with colored pencils and oil pastels, engaging in lectio divina and centering prayer, taking photographs, and rocking ...  in the safety of the silence my sweet shadow self emerged to dance in my soul.  In a dream, I found a new depth of love for the wayward side of myself that I try to keep hidden away ... the one who feels so deeply and cries so easily! 

The Calm ... before

The Storm

One day Jesus was preaching on the sea of Galilee ... great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the Word of God.  Jesus noticed 2 empty women at the water's edge for all of the people had left them alone.  He took the women out into the water in a boat

 and he taught them together ... Wade into the deep living waters and the people will return to you.  Them women said, "Even though we have been working ourselves to the bone, because you say so ... we'll try again, together."  Adapted from Luke 5:1-7 during a Lectio Divina meditation.

On my last day I awoke with a sense of oneness with myself as I stretched into the light of day ...

And then comes joy!

Giver of Life ... Give me Life

    I raise my face to seek you ... my eyes to see your glory

    I raise my arms to embrace you ... my hands to hold you close

    I raise my soul to welcome you ... my heart to receive you 

Giver of Life ... Give me Life

A Saturday Reflection for an Easter Vigil ...

Several years ago I was on vacation with my husband, Joe.  On this very sunny and warm day, we were walking down a busy street in San Antonio, Texas.  There were so many people ... desperately trying to get where they were going and so were we.  I walked by a homeless man who was calling out, "a dollar, please just a dollar ..."  Yet, I walked by but then ... I stopped about a block down the way.  In that world of hustling and bustling, for just a moment, the world stood still for me. 

I pulled out my wallet and looked inside.  I had a $1 bill and a $20 bill and a choice to make.  So ... what do you think I did?   I chose the $1 bill ... hey, that is what he asked for.  I gave my handbag to Joe and said, "I'll be back in a minute."  He just stood there patiently while I ran off on another tangent.  He is used to it.  I walked back to that particular homeless man and reached out my hand with the $1 bill, feeling rather pleased with myself at all my effort and good intentions.  At the very moment of my most inner self-glorification, this homeless man looked deep into my soul as he said in one of the kindest voices I have ever heard, "God bless you, lady."  He meant it.  I knew it.  And the fingers of shame crawled up the back of my neck as I tingled all over.  

I couldn't get this particular homeless man out of my mind nor my heart.  Obviously I still can't!  As Joe slept peacefully that afternoon, I prayed with all of the mixed emotions churning inside me ... and I wrote in my journal.

As I meditated on the Gospel reading for Easter Day, which is John 20:1-18, suddenly I remembered my conversation with God ... and I proclaim with Mary, "I have seen the Lord!"   I hope you enjoy this excerpt from my journal ... and the drawing that emerged in my time of meditation today. 

A Homeless Man

There was a homeless man

There’s always a homeless man!

A man without a name

you gave a dollar
you walked away

Sweet conviction overwhelms me

I can’t hear your voice

I know not what to do

a man…sitting
you…standing
in front of McDonald’s
could you not have 

walked him in
bought a meal
sat awhile
heard his story 
listened to him 
loved him
that man 

is special 

to Me
that man 

could have been 

special 

to you

He was…  He is…

not enough

not nearly 

enough

Regrets…Dreams…

Confusion…Chaos

The need is so great

I have no answers

Yet I know you call…me

“I can’t” too often my response  

prepare yourself

be ready  

for when I call

there is  

always an answer
always a path 

to follow
if you will seek
you will find

the Name is Jesus © 2004 Cindy Foster Serio

© 2010 Cindy Foster Serio

Holy Thursday

Jesus, my Lord and friend
Are you going to wash my feet?
Dusty, dirty, tired and bare
It’s much too hard to receive
Your tender love and gentle care
Jesus, my Teacher and companion
Are you going to cleanse my soul?
Musty, fearful, lonely and dark
It’s much too hard to reveal
Who I am in reality so stark
Jesus, my redeemer and savior 
© 2010 Cindy Foster Serio