Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Honoring his message

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. –Matthew 5:16

The Boston Trinity Academy community celebrated the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Wednesday's Chapel service.

Reverend Art Gordon, lead pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Roxbury, began by saying many people will come together in many different events to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "but," he asked, "do we dare to celebrate his message?"

Rev. Gordon told the students Dr. King's message is still relevant today. Dr. King let his light shine – he was a prophetic witness for his God and he did it in his own nation. "Our challenge," Rev. Gordon continued, "is to let our light shine as he did." Like Rev. Dr. King, we should strive to exemplify justice, peace, and righteousness everywhere we go; we should love our neighbor whether or not we like them; we must love each other and fight oppression and injustice together. We do all of this because it is a commandment of Jesus Christ. We do it so that others will see our good works and want to do the same.

"Always remember we all have a light," Rev. Gordon said. "We all make mistakes, but we still have light. No matter your status, no matter who you are, you have a light within. We all can serve; we all can do something that will make the world a little bit better. Sprinkle a little bit of heaven wherever you go.... Because you have light you have power to change the world."

Pressing the students even further, Rev. Gordon told them, "If we have light on the inside of us, the world depends on that light. The world needs young people like you, and because of you, the school... Hyde Park... the world... can be a better place."

"Don't wait," he said. "Start letting your light shine right now. Not only do you become a better person but you leave light wherever you go." He reminded them again that they will make their classroom, politics, the world, a better place – but they may pay a price for letting their light shine.

He closed by admonishing the students using part of a song: "Let your light shine, let your light shine, oh, let your little light shine."