Stand And Be Counted

16 Jan

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  This is a day that has been and continues to be quite controversial.  There are those who state that he was nothing more than a trouble-maker while others speak about his attempt to bring civil rights to all people.

He sought to bring rights to those who did not have them.  If he did not stand up for others, we might have made no strides in civil rights.  His message was cutting.  He spoke to the heart of those who would seek to deprive others of their rights.  That kind of message is often interpreted as challenging at best and condemnatory at worst.  Many took his message and attached violence to it in order to get things done.  He sought peaceful change.

When we have an urgent message, it is often misinterpreted.  Some might hear our message and feel condemned.  Others might feel challenged.  Still others, threatened.  Our message — the message of Jesus Christ — is a message of peace and love, a message of good will and comfort, a message of equality and respect.  That message has been attacked as well throughout the ages.

There will always be someone who rejects the teachings of Christ.  In the process, they will attack the messenger.  We, the messengers of the Lord, are to stand firm in the faith and deliver the message.  God has promised to protect us if we do and to reward us with eternal life at the end of our days.

There are still people in our world who are taken advantage of, who are treated as second class citizens, and who are largely ignored.  Will you come to their aid?

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God for the grace to take a stand for those who have been deprived of their rights..