Dear Caldwell,
In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech whose title is as relevant today as it was then: “Where do we go from here – Chaos or Community?” As a nation, we are still searching for “community.” For King, community required three elements: Power, Justice and Love. Many of us are used to seeing the words “power” and “justice” together. Too often, they are juxtaposed. But King’s inclusion of love is the real trump card. Here is what he said:
“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”
Justice can be an evasive idea. At Caldwell, we work hard to understand what it looks like in God’s kingdom. Libraries of books have been written about social justice, economic justice, political justice, racial justice, gender justice and more. At times the idea of achieving justice seems too big and out of reach. Perhaps it’s those times when we are best to remember King’s idea, that love is the true energy behind justice. When in doubt, love.
On the Presbyterian planning calendar, this Sunday is marked “Race Relations Sunday,” obviously in anticipation of the King holiday on Monday. At Caldwell, we will remember King’s work through power, justice and love to close gaps between black and white, but we will also consider how King’s dream might inspire a broader reconcilliation in today’s mulit-racial America. Veronica Rogers will preach, Inook Lee will lead liturgy and we will be joined by some of our Bilngual Preschool families and friends.
After worship, all are invited to the covered dish luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring something if you can.
Kevin, Ellen and Tovi Martin would love to attend worship but need a little help and will not be able to stay for the lunch. If you are able to help them get to church and back (or want to team with someone), please let them or me know.
May you know peace and rest this weekend. See you soon, I hope.
John