Bishop Conley delivered the invocation for the commemorative parade, which fell one day before the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States of America, and the first African American president of the country.
City Park, Denver, Colorado
Heavenly Father, God of all creation, in your divine providence and wisdom, you have called us, your sons and daughters, to be living witnesses to your truth, love and justice in the world. You give us the grace and strength to be instruments of your mercy and compassion in a world that is often filled with hatred, bigotry and indifference.
We bow before you this day, in remembrance and thanksgiving for the life and legacy of your faithful servant, witness and martyr, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We thank you for his time among us -- for his example of meekness and courage, for his inspired words and writings, for his integrity of life and his dignity of soul, for his prophetic leadership and authentic witness, which somehow eases the tragedy and pain of recalling the brevity of his years.
We rejoice in the fact that his life and legacy has endured over these past 40 years, since that dark April day in 1968 when he was taken from us by an assassin's bullet. We rejoice in the fact that Dr. King continues to inspire millions of people today all over the world, people of every religion and creed, people of every color and ethnic heritage, people young and old, rich and poor alike, to rise above themselves and to realize that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".
Through his own example of civil disobedience and non-violent resistance to the evil of bigotry and racial segregation, Dr. King taught us all how to put the words of Jesus, your Son, into action when he said "love your enemies, bless those who curse you and pray for those who persecute you." We remember the gentle, patient but persistent courage of Dr. King, as he made the teachings of your Son Jesus, our Redeemer and Lord, the rule and standard of his life and of all of his actions.
And yet, at the same time, he taught us that "freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." He taught us that we do not have the privilege to be indifferent to the suffering and persecution of our brothers and sisters, your sons and daughters. He taught us that by his willingness to go to jail for conscience sake, he was ready to follow his Lord in showing the greatest love all by laying down his life for others.
Lord, give us this same courage to live by what we profess and believe, and to accept the teachings of Christ as your rule and guide, rather than mere words of inspiration.
Dear Father in heaven, mold and fashion our memories of Dr. King into a guiding vision for true and active discipleship, so that under your grace, we too might have a lasting effect upon this world in which we live.
And, on the eve of the inauguration of our first African American President, may our hope be that of Dr. King's, "that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty." Amen.
-
Youth Protection +
-
Evangelization & Catechesis +
-
Catholic Schools +
-
Youth Ministry +
-
Family Life & Discipleship +
-
News & Media +
-
Directory, Maps & Mass Times +
-
Diocese Home +
