MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., DAY

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. Since this national observance falls on a weekday in Ordinary Time, it is possible to use some special Mass texts where parishes and communities want to focus on the meaning of the day. Remember, if you celebrate a special Mass, that you do not need three readings; as for weekdays, you only need one reading, followed by the psalm or Gospel acclamation or both, plus the Gospel text.

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)

Come, O Lord, and Set Us Free (Lee) CH 108

Let Us See Your Kindness (MacAller) GP 225

Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness, refrain 2 (Balhoff et al.) GC 80/GP 224/RS 114

Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (French) WC 397

Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (Haugen) GC 79/RS 112

Lord, Show Us Your Mercy (Alstott) JS 60

Muéstranos, Señor (Rubalcava) Cantos 68

Muéstranos, Señor/Show Us, O Lord (Cortez) FYC 225/GP 223/JS 61

O Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness (Harbor) LMGM 501

Show Us Your Kindness (Hurd) JS 62

The Lord Speaks of Peace, refrain 2 (Proulx) RS 113

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.

Songs for the Liturgy

For the Healing of the Nations JS 866/RS 823/WC 414/WOR 643

Free at Last GC 717/GP 562/LMGM 293

Freedom Is Coming GC 723/RS 821/WC 448

God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens CH 604/RS 819/WC 323/WOR 648

Let Justice Roll Like a River GC 716

Lift Every Voice and Sing GP 561/LMGM 291/PMB 162/WC 533/WOR 641

Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace CH 612/RS 751/WC 451

Martin's Dream for Us All LMGM 295

O Freedom RS 821/WC 448

O God, Empower Us WOR 642

O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns CH 611

The Harvest of Justice GC 711/WC 930

The Voice of God Speaks But of Peace (Ps) CH 616

Voices That Challenge GC 721

We Are Marching GC 512/RS 648/WC 460

We Shall Not Be Silent GP 559/JS 65

We Shall Overcome GC 724/GP 556/JS 842/LMGM 297

Whatsoever You Do CH 609/GP 558/PMB 160/WC 564