On January 20, 2025, we inaugurate this country’s 47th president and we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. —advocate for social justice, racial harmony and equality, civil rights, and non-violent resistance. This post is dedicated to the hope, light, and inspiration of Martin Luther King in art, music, and poetry.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that” –MLK

ART: Icon of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Kelly Latimore Icons (featured image).
May this icon remind us that prophets are still among us here and now calling us to change, toward action and the hard work of reconciliation. In this icon King stands below the Little and Big Dipper. Pointing to the North Star. ( “IC XC” is the iconographers Greek abbreviation for Jesus Christ)

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”–MLK

POETRY: The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light

Between a president who recently died
and one about to begin
we remember a man who was never president.

(We notice the harmonies, and the dissonances.)
See how our choices matter—
not our position, nor our power, but our character.

We remember Martin, who was famous,
and in his name thousands more who were not,
but just as brave and merciful and mighty.

We remember all those who were peacemakers,
the nonviolent seekers of justice who have gone before,
and those who are now among us, without office.

We give thanks for those who stood against injustice,
who faced violence, hatred and anger with gentle courage,
and we pray for that spirit as well,

that we will not walk with the haughty and the cruel,
that we will be truthful and kind,
that we confront the power to exclude with the power to love.

With blessed leaders showing us the way,
we pray that we will choose love over fear,
generosity over selfishness, service over supremacy.

We give thanks for the saints who have gone before,
link arms with the saints who risk even now,
and with their song in our throats, we carry on.

“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” –MLK

MUSIC: Shed a Little Light by James Taylor

Oh, let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women, living on the earth
Ties of hope and love, sister and brotherhood

That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children can grow free and strong
We are bound together by the task that stands before us
And the road that lies ahead
We are bound, and we are bound

There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist
There is a hunger in the center of the chest
There is a passage through the darkness and the mist
And though the body sleeps, the heart will never rest

shed a little light, oh, Lord
(So that we can see) oh, yeah
(Just a little light, oh, Lord) just a little light, oh, Lord
(Want to stand it on up) stand it on up, oh
(Stand it on up, oh, Lord) stand it on up, oh
(Wanna walk it on down)
Gonna shed a little light (shed a little light, oh, Lord)

Don’t see me no light, no dollar bill
(Don’t give no light from the TV screen) no, no, no
(When I open my eyes, I want to drink my fill)
(From the well on the hill)
I know you know what I mean

shed a little light, oh, Lord
(So that we can see) oh, yeah
(Just a little light, oh, Lord) just a little light, oh, Lord
(Want to stand it on up) stand it on up, oh
(Stand it on up, oh, Lord) stand it on up, oh
(Wanna walk it on down)
Gonna shed a little light (shed a little light, oh, Lord)
(Shed a little light, oh)

There’s a feeling like the clenching of a fist
There is a hunger in the center of the chest, oh yes
There is a passage through the darkness and the mist, oh
And though the body sleeps, the heart will never rest

Oh, let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women, living on the earth
Ties of hope and love, sister and brotherhood

Source: Musixmatch, Songwriters: James Taylor, Shed a Little Light lyrics © Country Road Music

More Being Benedictine Reflections

The quest for peace and justice–Being Benedictine Reflection on MLK and the 46th Presidential Inauguration.

We Shall Overcome Someday–A Reflection on the American Spiritual Ensemble spirituals and MLK.