Things That Matter

This year as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am especially mindful of the following statement he made: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Think about that: speaking out about things that matter is so important that our lives begin to end if we do not do so. It was in this spirit that Protestant pastor and peace activist Martin Niemöller famously said,

               

               First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

               Because I was not a Socialist.

               Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

               Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

               Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

               Because I was not a Jew.

               Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Truly, as it says in the Rule of St. Benedict, “Death and life are in the hands of the tongue (RB 6:5).

I’m reminded of the scene in the movie Spartacus when Roman soldiers were seeking the rebel and his supporters refused to identify him, each saying in turn, “I am Spartacus!” Because we are united with all people in the Body of Christ, when those in power attempt to oppress or discriminate against our brothers and sisters, we are called to say, “I am an immigrant!” “I am transgender!” “I am handicapped!”

Psalm 34:13 says, “Which of you desires life and longs to see good days?” If we hear this and respond, “I do!” then we need to heed the words of Dr. King and speak out about the things that matter—especially justice for all people.