Rev. King reminded us there is no 'faking our life in Christ,' Cardinal Gregory says

PHOENIX (OSV News) -- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that there is no "faking our life in Christ," said Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop emeritus of Washington, at the Diocese of Phoenix's annual Mass honoring the slain Civil Rights leader Jan. 17.

Cardinal Gregory, the nation's first Black cardinal and the Church's first African American cardinal, served as the guest homilist at the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mass at Xavier College Preparatory Catholic High School's Chapel of Our Lady in Phoenix. He was joined by Bishop John P. Dolan and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares.

Reflecting on the day's Gospel passage taken from the parable of the good Samaritan, Cardinal Gregory described the titular Samaritan as an "unlikely hero" that would not have been expected to help a Jewish man, connecting his story to those of African American heroes.

"African American heroes have an important lesson to offer all Americans, because they exhibit a determination and a moral integrity that enriches our nation and perfects the human spirit," Cardinal Gregory said.

"The secret to human greatness and to spiritual excellence is not to be found in marketing of an individual but in having a person live up to the highest spiritual qualities within himself or herself, living proudly according to the 'content of their character,'" he added, referencing Rev. King's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.

The parable doesn't simply offer guidelines or suggested life patterns for Christian heroes, he said, but a way of life for all.

"What is important for all of us during these days dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is to discover that he -- along with all the men and women who joined with him in the Civil Rights struggle -- realized their potential in the crucible of discrimination," said the cardinal. "They achieved greatness when many people thought they were not worthy of human respect or dignity. That is the way to greatness in any society and among all people."

During the liturgy, students from Xavier and the adjacent Brophy College Preparatory Jesuit Catholic High School led the congregation in singing as members of the diocese's new Imani Choir. The name comes from the Swahili word for "faith," said Anthony Garibay, the diocese's assistant superintendent of schools.

"We wanted the name to represent what this choir is about, and that is really deepening one's faith and one's relationship with God through the ministry of music," Garibay told The Catholic Sun, Phoenix's diocesan news outlet. "I'm always grounding them in prayer and reminding them that it's not to glorify the choir but we're here to praise God, and I think they did that today."

Garibay leads the choir with Brophy music teacher and pianist Cory Dugar.

As the faithful approached the sanctuary for holy Communion, Xavier senior Niyellie Vital sang the words: "I love you, Jesus. I worship and adore you. Just want to tell you -- Lord, I love you more than anything."

Vital, who attends St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Phoenix, said she initially felt nervous to sing the solo during the liturgy before the rest of the Imani Choir joined her.

"Once I just started singing, my fingertips got all cold, and I just felt the Holy Spirit just going through me," she added.

Wearing traditional African dresses featuring images of Jesus and Our Lady, native Cameroonians Kinner Atekwane and Lilian Laimo also wanted to honor Rev. King.

"We have learned how to honor and celebrate together -- no discrimination -- and celebrate people who have gone to great miles to fight for unity together," said Atekwane, a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Avondale.

Both women attended the annual celebration for the first time and are members of the Catholic Women's Association, a Cameroonian organization that's being expanded to the U.S.

Following the Mass, attendees gathered in Xavier's Founders Hall for a brunch and awards ceremony honoring Catholic high school students' efforts to build what Rev. King referred to as "Beloved Community" -- "a community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger and hate."

In his keynote address, Knights of Peter Claver Supreme Knight Christopher Pichon described the beloved community as not simply a method of protest but a way of life.

"The beloved community above all is about embracing diversity. Dr. King understood that our differences do not divide us; rather, they can serve as the threads that weave us together in a stronger, more resilient whole," Pichon said. "In this beloved community, there's a space for our voices, for our backgrounds and for our dreams. It is a space where we do not simply coexist, but we uplift, we learn and we grow together."

Pichon said despite Rev. King's human flaws, he served as a beacon of hope and champion of justice. He recalled his parents saying how the Civil Rights leader often spoke of sacrifice.

"I would always hear parents and adults say, 'Dr. King didn't march for himself, he marched for you and me.' Those words stayed with me, and it reminded me that every opportunity that I have today was paid by someone else's courage," Pichon said. "Who am I not to exhibit that same type of courage? Dr. King's life continues to be celebrated because of the profound impact and work that he displayed."

He also discussed the work of the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, noting the five pillars of social justice on which the organization focuses: eliminating racism, domestic violence, human trafficking, criminal justice reform and the dignity of Black lives.

"Do not leave this room unchanged. Commit or recommit to living the life of Dr. King's vision, not tomorrow but today," said Pichon, challenging his audience. "His dream of the beloved community remains a bold commitment. It still demands that we embrace nonviolence, that we become stronger advocates for social justice."