How would you say that faith, wisdom and love, and any virtue for that matter, have taught us to live with the complications of a dream deferred? How do we live in the present with a future of unrealized hopes? As we enter a weekend in which we remember the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, it makes sense that we turn to his memorable, “I Have a Dream” speech. This well-known address was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In it, he spoke of his dreams for racial justice for current and future generations. While “dreams” often invite our minds to think of a longing for a different future, in this speech, Dr. King also spoke of the “fierce urgency of now.” As he said it, “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”
It was a more somber Dr. King who, five years later, in a sermon owned that he, and many others, live with the reality of “unfulfilled dreams”. Citing the biblical David’s failure to build a temple, Schubert’s leaving a symphony unfinished, Gandhi’s dying before people he loved gained independence, Dr. King reflected on his dreams that had yet to come to fruition. How do we deal with our dreams of justice, grace and love that are only partially fulfilled?
Early in Jesus’ ministry as it is described in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus came to his hometown of Nazareth. As was his custom, he went to service at the synagogue. During the service, he stood and read from the scroll that passage from Isaiah which describes a Year of Jubilee, when land reverted to original owners and those imprisoned were allowed to return home. Jesus concluded with, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” At first, the listening crowd was moved by his authenticity and wisdom. However, the more what he was saying began to sink in, so did the favor with which he was viewed. There is always a crisis point when someone, in this case, Jesus, takes a lofty future dream, and declares that the dream is not just for the future. It is for today.
The sermon on Sunday at St. Mark’s is titled, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” arising from Psalm 118, 1-5; 22-29, which will be read by Ceci Puntarelli, and Luke 4: 14-21, which will be read by Charlie Nelms. We’ll have a moment for children, prayers, hymns, and choral music presented by the Chancel Choir. Together, we’ll reflect on the life and work of Dr. King.
If you have been a part of the St. Mark’s community for years, or if you are just discovering us, we look forward to connecting with you on Sunday. To join the 10:30 service online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.