As we approach this Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025, coinciding as it does with the inauguration of Donald Trump for the second time, we find ourselves standing at a crossroads in history. The echoes of Dr. King’s prophetic voice—calling for justice, equality, and peace—resonate with an urgency that grows louder as we confront the crises of our time. Unstable climate change threatens the planet we call home. Conflict and war scar nations and tear apart communities. Growing inequality deepens divides, leaving the most vulnerable in our societies to bear the heaviest burdens. The human family, now more than ever, is under threat from Dr. King’s triple, inter-connected, evils of poverty, racism and militarism.
In these difficult days, we must not miss any opportunity to heal divisions, build bridges, and choose justice over convenience. We must remain firmly grounded by a belief that will not shrink, though pressed by every foe. This vision anchors us, reminding us of our call to be ever vigilant and to persevere.
Decades later we remain anchored to Dr. King’s vision of the “Beloved Community,” a world where every human being is fully valued and loved as a Divine Image Bearer. In this vision, we see a future of hope, justice, and equity—a future we must continue to strive toward, even when the challenges seem insurmountable.
As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, many are asking, “What should we do now?” Our response is both timeless and resolute: we must do what our people have always done. We must be persistent in our resistance against hate, injustice, and violence. This resistance takes many forms—demanding for policies that protect the vulnerable, amplifying voices that call for peace and justice, and building communities so they are rooted in love and understanding.
Dr. King reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Yet, he would be the first to instruct us that the bending does not happen on its own; it requires hands, hearts, and voices—ours. As we celebrate his life and legacy, let us commit ourselves anew to the work of justice, knowing that even in the face of difficulty, we are not alone. We stand in solidarity with those who are deeply concerned about the most vulnerable among us, and we hold fast to the belief that together, we can bring the vision of the Beloved Community closer to reality.
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us not only remember his words but embody them. Let us hope, and act. While we may have some difficult days ahead, we know that justice, love, and truth remain our steadfast companions on this journey.
Together, we will rise.
MLK Global 