Martin Luther King, Jr: Compassion in Action
This past Sunday I had the privilege of being one of six faith leaders to speak at an interfaith service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy. The service was held at First United Methodist Church in Ames, Iowa, and was beautifully organized by Rev. Deb Hill-Davis of the Unity Church of Ames, Iowa. The theme was “Compassion in Action.”
In addition to a moving clip of Dr. King imploring us to rise up, and children and adult choirs singing meaningful melodies about inclusion, togetherness and family, each of the faith leaders was asked to share a message—whether in story, text or prayer—about compassion in action, and place a ritual object from their tradition on a sacred table of unity.
Our Hindu brother brought, in large letters, the word “EGO,” inspiring each of us to leave our ego on the table so we can greet one another from love. Our Bahai sisters brought a vase of flowers, acknowledging that if every bouquet were filled with exactly the same type and color of flowers, we would lose interest; it is the differences and the colors that bring forth the richness of God’s creation. Our Christian brother brought, among other objects, a crown of thorns, pointing out to us that we all have the power to bring pain and shame to others, and we all have the ability to do so intentionally. I chose to bring a paperweight of the symbol for “Chai,” the letters het and yud of the Hebrew alphabet. The word chai means “life.”
This might not be the first ritual object that one would bring to mind. The reason I brought it is because all of us seek life. All of us, regardless of race or faith, gender or sexual orientation, language or ethnicity, not only seek life but have the same right to a good life. In Hebrew, we take this word chai—life—and say: “L’chaim!”—“To life!” When we say this, we are wishing a vibrant, healthy, joyful and fulfilled life to those we encounter.
How can any of us feel that vibrancy, that radiance of life energy when we know that someone is oppressed? Hungry? Impoverished? Living in fear? Hated? For any of us to feel the fullness of life’s breath within us, we must stand for the full expression of life for all others, whether they are like us or not.
And so I wish to you life. I wish to you the radiance and joy of a full inhale, bringing in all the joy that life has to offer. I wish to you freedom in this life—for education, for career, for health care, for advancement, for love, for choice, for spirit. And I wish for all of us that we engage each day, as part of our regular daily living, the work to ensure that all of us have the same opportunity.
Rabbi Robin Damsky