Sitting in a pew in Ebenezer Baptist Church, I begin writing this reflection for you. How do I describe my intense feelings while contemplating in this sacred space where Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many other social activists found courage and solace? At first I sit alone in the empty church listening to one of Dr. King’s sermons that is piped into the sanctuary. But the sanctuary is not empty. Generations of prayers and meditations radiate through the stain glass windows that have been lovingly restored to what the sanctuary looked like when Dr. King and his father, “Daddy King” were pastors here. It is what our Celtic brothers and sisters call a thin place.

Closing my eyes, I imagine Martin Luther King, Jr. at the pulpit, preaching to us as spiritual directors coming to Atlanta from around the world and across traditions. “Sometimes I feel discouraged, living every day under the threat of death, living every day under criticism…. Then the holy spirit revives my soul.” His personal words are every bit as relevant for today. They remind me of the work we do as holy listeners, mindful of the daily stresses yet trusting and teaching, “Then the holy spirit revives my soul.”

When I open my eyes, dozens of people have joined me in the pews: African American families with small children, a Danish tour group, a man from India. We have all made a pilgrimage to be inspired by sitting in these pews. Together we listen to Dr. King and hear in a new way the words of a familiar hymn sung by the choir that once sang here: “Oh When the Saints, Go Marching In…”

With newly aware eyes, I recognize a mountain behind the pulpit that Martin Luther King, Jr. must have seen every Sunday growing up. It’s a scene of a flowing river winding into a mountain range on a horizon.

During his last speech on April 3, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, he said, “And he’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land.”

Across the street from Ebenezer Church, these words about the mountain are painted in a colorful mural of the winding life journey of Dr. King. His life brilliantly built upon the non-violent strategies of Mahatma Gandhi for creating a Beloved Community (do you see Gandhi looking over the shoulder of the King family in the top photo from the mural?).

My eyes well up with tears as I walk from the mural over to a full-size statue of Gandhi and read Dr. King’s words: ”Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore him at our own risk.”

I imagine Gandhi coming to life and walking with his staff down the International Civil Rights of Fame.

It’s humbling and deeply moving to walk among actual size footprints of people who have continued the dream of creating a global Beloved Community. When I reach the small footprints of Rosa Parks, I pause and send you a prayer of gratefulness for your part in creating a global Beloved Community.
 

During the educational events, we celebrate spiritual direction as a courageous ministry for cultivating compassion. We gather together to be inspired by people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks and to continue the dream of creating a Beloved Community.

What is inspiring you as you enter the month of May? Let the global learning community of spiritual directors know on the blog or on Facebook.