We take to heart these mighty words of The Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., spoken in 1963:
“As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
“With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope ….”
“With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together….”
“With this faith we will be able … to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day…. Let freedom ring!”
Responsive Reading for January 14
“A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (Isaiah 40:3).
“As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
“Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low” (Isaiah 40:4).
“With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope . . . .”
“The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 40:4, 5).
“With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together . . . .”
“They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
“With this faith we will be able … to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day…. Let freedom ring!”