MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., DAY (Lectionary #882)

This is a national day to remember fallen heroes and to recommit to the promise of justice and peace rooted in the Gospel, which goes far beyond anything that our nation can promise. This national observance falls on a weekday in Ordinary Time, so it would normally be possible to use some special Mass texts where parishes and communities want to focus on the meaning of the day. However, in 2011 the observance falls on the Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot, which takes precedence for normal parish celebrations. If, however, there is a community observance, you might draw on the following suggestions for prayers, readings, and songs.

Suggested prayer texts:
Sacramentary, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions #21, for the Progress of Peoples or
#22, for Peace and Justice. Preface #P83, Independence Day and Other Civic Observances II.

Suggested readings:
Lectionary #882-886: For the Country or a City or for Those in Public Office or . . . for the Progress of Peoples

Esther C:1-4, 8-10 (#882-6): The “Prayer of Mordecai” affirms faith in God and in God's protection of the holy people but still asks for God to work to correct injustice.

Psalm (84) 85 (#884-3)
In the center of this national lament and prayer for reconciliation come the verses used in Lectionary #884.3, a prophetic promise that God will bring reconciliation and peace. The assigned refrain is: “The Lord speaks of peace to his people,” but these settings also contain the verses assigned in the Lectionary.

Come, O Lord/Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (Balhoff et al.)  GC 80/GP 224/RS 114
Let Us See Your Kindness (MacAller)  GP 225
Lord, Let Me See Your Kindness (Young)  JS 783
Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (French)  PMB 156, 558, 684, 696
Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (Guimont)  GC2 951
Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (Haugen)  GC 79/GC2 48/LMGM 502/RS 112
Lord, Show Us Your Mercy (Roff)  PMB 765
Lord, Show Us Your Mercy/Let Us See (Bogdan) WC 415
Muéstranos, Señor (Sosa)  FYC 226
Muéstranos, Señor (Rubalcava)  Cantos (WLP) 68
Muéstranos, Señor/Show Us, O Lord (Cortez)  FYC 225
Muéstranos, Señor, Tu Misericordia (Taulé)  FYC 228
The Lord Speaks of Peace (Kasbohm)  PMB 763
The Lord Speaks of Peace (Proulx)  RS 113, antiphon II

Colossians 3:9b-17 (#883-7): Christ overcomes all divisions, but we must put on Christ's way of life in order to make that victory incarnate in our time.

John 15:9-12 (#886-12): This is my commandment: Love one another.

Hymns of Justice