Hail to Heroes

This day of remembrance to the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. is equally a day of service. In America as elsewhere, the striving for a just and fair world is a task of on-going service, and the task is always to achieve a “yes, but more” aspect. It is a call not just to find meaning, but to create fuller meaning despite challenges from society, from politics, from ourselves.

Hail to Heroes
(who risk their lives for justice and peace)

In liberal democracies
laws try to protect them from torture and death.

In authoritarian regimes
they live under the threat of violence.

I salute a roll-call of heroes
that represents numberless others:

Nelson Mandela, who spent a quarter-century
in prison for opposing apartheid.

Mohandas Gandhi, who led the Indian struggle
against colonialism.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk and teacher,
who was exiled for opposing war.

Jose Ribiero de Silva, who was murdered
for defending the Amazon.

Anna Politkouskaya, Russian journalist, killed
in her home for criticizing the government.

Jamal Khoshoggi, reporter for the Washington Post,
killed for criticizing the Saudi regime.

Martin Luther King, Jr., assassinated in Memphis
for conducting a civil rights march.

Jesus Christ, crucified as a threat to authorities
in first-century Palestine.

Hail to these brave persons and to many others,
who inspire us to stand up for what is right and best.