Justice, equality and equity urged in annual MLK Mass at St. Martin de Porres Church
Share
You cannot seek justice and leave out God. The Catholic Church and the Kingdom of God provide the ideal models to seek justice in a turbulent, divided society. Those were among the key points raised by the guest homilist at the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass celebrated Sunday, Jan. 19 at St. Martin de Porres Church in Buffalo.
“It’s a great privilege and blessing to be here with you once again, as we celebrate this powerful day, this powerful day we celebrate today as a people of God, as we celebrate justice and we pray for equality in our world,” said Bishop Michael W. Fisher, the celebrant of the Mass. “Martin Luther King encouraged us to be one people together, walking together in peace on that mountain of the Lord.”
The theme of this year’s MLK Mass, arranged by the Diocese of Buffalo’s Office of Cultural Diversity, was “Return to the Mountaintop.” Father Kareem Smith, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in the Bronx and the guest homilist for this Mass, opened his remarks by singing of stealing away to that mountaintop.
Strong music and congregational singing are hallmarks of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Buffalo. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher enters St. Martin de Porres Parish surrounded by the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxilar of Peter Claver at the beginning of the annual Martin Luther King Mass on Jan. 19. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Father Kareem Smith, from the Archdiocese of New York, stands in front of the altar at St. Martin de Porres Parish. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Father Kareem Smith, from the Archdiocese of New York, reminds the congregation at St. Martin de Porres Parish that Dr. Martin Luther King used his faith towards social justice. Father Smith was guest homilist at the annual MLK Mass on Jan. 19. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Laila Myree displays a certificate she received along with the Albert Lenhard Scholarship. She received the award at the Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Mass at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Buffalo. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira)
“In our lives, we often look for moments in which we are supposed to respond. But as Catholics, we are told that the source and the summit of our worship, the very top of it, is when we gather around this sacred table, when we gather around this sacred altar to offer gifts, to see the sacred assembly – the gathered people – as a mountaintop experience,” Father Smith said.
The homily and Mass came one day before the presidential inauguration, and the return of a president whose policies and attitudes during his first administration raise concerns among many about what lies ahead. Father Smith alluded to the change in power, telling the congregation that as the Body of Christ, the faithful are called to use their gifts collectively to build their community.
“Today this call takes on new urgency,” Smith said. “Our nation faces critical questions about justice, equity and human dignity. How are we using our gifts to address these issues? Are we advocating for those who are in need of engaging in ways that reflect our faith and commitment to the common good?”
Father Smith reminded the congregation that Dr. King believed all people have a role to play in the struggle for justice. Some, Father Smith said, are called to lead, others are called to organize, and others are called to pray.
“Praying still works,” he added.
He also referred to Psalm 96, saying it’s a reminder of Dr. King’s work, how it was a new song for his time, a call for equality, justice and peace. Father Smith suggested that a new word should be added to those, “equity.”
“Equity does not just give us a seat at the table, like equality,” he said. “Equity gives us a voice at the table. Not only are we allowed to sit down and take part, but we’re allowed to speak and to be heard. In the world that we live in, the Church has given us a model in the Synod in Rome, which tells us that we are called to listen, without the need to respond.”
Father Smith reminded the congregation that Dr. King was an ordained minister and applied his faith to his social justice activism, not for personal glory or attention, but to reflect the love of Christ. He then stated that his work challenges us to do the same, especially in today’s political climate.
“We must be challenged to realize that … we do not do this work of anti-racism because we need necessarily to teach others about us. But rather, we do it because they need to be better,” Father Smith said. “I want you not to be racist, or know about the injustice I face, because that is how you will get to heaven.”
During his homily, Father Smith lamented the continuing polarization fueled by the gamut of television news networks. He also lamented the lack of action by people in the community. He told worshipers that you need not go very far to make a difference, but you need to be active.
“We have to engage in our local policy. Show up to the meetings. We don’t show up,” he said. “You cannot grow weary, brothers and sisters, of seeking this justice. You must be present. How good is equity if we do not exercise it?”
As part of the Mass, several academic scholarships were awarded to local students looking to further their Catholic education. This year’s recipients of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship, awarded to elementary level students, are Delight Adebayo, Wisdom Adebayo, Amara Ezenwa, Luis M. Guzman II, Abigail Sebhatu, Elijah Terrell and Yafet Welday. Recipients of the Albert Lenhard Scholarship, presented to high school students, are Anthony T. Barnes, Christian Lee and Laila Myree.
