Eternal Flame

 

Every year during January, I teach about Martin Luther King Jr..

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about his life and legacy 

And I’ve accidentally memorized portions of his, “I have a dream” speech.

I love how he basically drops the mic at the end of his speech and ends with a reference to the song “Free At Last”

I love that those lyrics from “Free At Last” are on his gravestone.

And I love how he’s buried beside his love, Coretta. 

 

In the past, 

I’ve shown my students Google images of the gravestone at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

I’ve gone to Google Earth and dropped a man and taken a virtual tour of the grounds. 

Google Earth showed me that the stone was in the middle of a fountain and that the fountain includes a Bible verse that MLK referenced in the “I Have A Dream” speech.

But it wasn’t until this summer when I had a chance to visit the site in person that I saw the eternal flame.

And the eternal flame moved me to tears. 

 

The plaque that goes with the flame says;

 

“The eternal flame represents the continuing effort to realize Dr. King’s ideas for “Beloved Community” which requires lasting personal commitment that cannot weaken when faced with obstacles.”

 

And here we are. 

Facing obstacles. 

Fighting once again, 

If the fight has ever even ended, 

For beloved community. 

 

So today, on this MLK, Jr. holiday, 

May we be moved to tears not only by MLK’s life and legacy,

But also by how much work there is yet to do. 

 

And then may we be empowered to do it. 

 

God calls us to live in beloved community. 

 

May we do 

And be 

Nothing less. 

 

Amen.