NATIVITY of OUR LORD
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Work
  • Programs
  • Calendar
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Support Nativity

Joni's Reflection

1/15/2017

0 Comments

 
​2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time   John 1:29
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
 
Today, we enter into the third week of the New Year, and I’m still enjoying all of my Christmas decorations, especially the lights that illuminate my tree.  I love the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas. They are symbols of hope, peace, joy, and light, themes that we should live with 365 days of the year. “The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.”  This sentence from the Gospel acclamation summarizes our reason for joy and hope. 
 
Today many people in our nation will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We celebrate his life for many reasons.  My reason may be different from yours but what we may be able to agree on was that he was a man that taught us how to love in some of the most difficult situations in our nation.  His Six Pillars are as challenging, remarkable, and relevant today as they were when Dr. King wrote them over fifty years ago.
 
An Experiment in Love:  Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Six Pillars of Nonviolent Resistance and the Ancient Greek Notion of ‘Agape’.  Find the entire document here:
http://www.dailygood.org/story/1098/an-experiment-in-love-martin-luther-king-jr-on-the-six-pillars-of-nonviolent-resistance-and-the-ancient-greek-notion-of-agape-maria-popova/
 
“Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate.  This can only be done by projecting the ethic of love to the center of our lives.”
In the first of the six pillars, Dr. King addresses the tendency to mistake nonviolence for passivity, pointing out that it is a form not of cowardice but courage. “It is not passive non-violence to evil; it is active nonviolent resistance to evil.”
Second Tenet: “Nonviolence…does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding. The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness.”
In considering the third tenet, “Dr. King appeals to the conscientious recognition that those who perpetrate violence are often victims themselves.”
Fourth tenet: ‘Nonviolent resistance [requires] a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation, to accept blows from the opponent without striking back…”
The fifth tenet turns the fourth inward and arrives at the most central point of the essay – the noblest use of what we call “love.” Here, Dr. King turns to Ancient Greek philosophy ‘agape.’ Agape means understanding, redeeming good will for all men.  It is an overflowing love which is purely spontaneous, unmotivated, groundless, and creative. King argues that at the heart of agape is the notion of forgiveness.
The sixth and final principal of nonviolence King sees as a force for justice: Nonviolent resistance...is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice.  Consequently, believers in nonviolence have deep faith in the future.
 
I believe that each of us has a moral obligation to continue to roll up our sleeves each day to work for justice and peace. Keeping the dream alive with hope.
“Kindness and truth shall meet; Justice and peace shall embrace” (Ps 85: 10)
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Our Authors

    Each author has a his or hers own each unique outlook as a member of the Nativity family. Sometimes you'll hear from Brother Ray, Joni, Anne, a Parish Council member, or an everyday member here at Nativity. 

    Following each post is the current "Happenings" around Nativity.

    Enjoy!

    Archives

    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All
    AOD
    Council Coments
    Deacons-deliberations
    Deacons-deliberations
    Jolenes-jottings
    Jonis Reflection
    Member's Minutes
    Pastors Pen

WHERE TO FIND US

Nativity of Our Lord Church
5900 McClellan, Detroit, MI 48213 
P (313) 922 - 0033 
F (313) 922 - 8553 

Contact us during office hours, email us,
or use our online contact form.
Copyright © 2022  Nativity of Our Lord Church. All rights reserved

INFORMATION

Home
About Us
Calendar/Events

Programs
Contact Us
Resources
Support the Parish

Return to top