Brothers and Sisters,

As we commemorate and pay tribute to the legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., let us express our gratitude and appreciation for the lives of countless ambassadors of God’s kingdom. Some hold a more personal significance for our lives and families, while others have universal appeal. Yet all of their lives, good works, and inspiring words motivate us to seek the Lord’s path and work toward bringing about the full manifestation of His kingdom here and now.

Of course, as we pause to acknowledge the impact of these witnesses, we should also reflect on ourselves. Where do we need to improve our conversion process and ongoing formation to become the child of God that He calls us to be? In what areas of our lives have we closed ourselves to God’s presence and His invitation to growth? How might the Lord call each of us to impact the lives of those around us, whether in our families, parish, or broader community and world? In prayer, let us invite the Holy Spirit to help us become more aware of the Lord’s work in our lives and how He’s striving to improve our vision and understanding of the world. We must be more attuned to the injustices around us, especially those we contribute to or neglect to make right through ignorance.

Archbishop Lori has released two pastoral letters that are worth a prayerful read or reread: “The Enduring Power of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Nonviolence” (archbalt.org/kingpastoral) in February 2018 and “The Journey to Racial Justice: Repentance, Healing, and Action” (archbalt.org/racismpastoral19) in January 2019. Let us keep working for justice, mainly asking the Holy Spirit to aid us in addressing systemic problems that persist in our society.

Moreover, I humbly urge our parishioners and their families to reflect prayerfully on how the Lord is guiding each of you to promote the culture of life. We stand at a critical juncture where some states are striving to legislate the recognition of a child’s life in the womb while others are easing access to the tragic act of abortion. The impact of these decisions resonates profoundly, affecting not only the unborn child but also reaching into the lives of the mother, father, extended family, and a medical community seemingly veering away from its mission of health and care, in addition to our broader society and culture, which unfortunately, appear increasingly desensitized to the gravity of this modern-day sin.

As someone blessed to have attended the March for Life as a child, I vividly remember witnessing the tireless efforts of many advocates for life, including my mother, who selflessly volunteered at the local crisis pregnancy center. Let us continue our dedicated efforts until every life is acknowledged, truly valued, and protected.