Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s believed in making this world better, no matter the risk. We can think back to the Selma March in 1965 that arose from efforts to help Black people register to vote. The violent backlash of Bloody Sunday halted the march with tear gas, bullwhips, beatings, and more. When the march resumed, the number of protestors grew to about 25,000. They walked about 50 miles from Selma to Montgomery. Dr. King gave a speech when they arrived on the steps of the State Capitol. He said,
“We have walked through desolate valleys and across the trying hills. We have walked on meandering highways and rested our bodies on rocky byways. Some of our faces are burned from the outpourings of the sweltering sun. Some have literally slept in the mud. We have been drenched by the rains. Our bodies are tired and our feet are somewhat sore.”
Then he remembered something that a 70-year-old Black woman had told him during the bus boycotts when people asked her if she was tired. Her wisdom spoke to that moment. King said, “in a real sense this afternoon, we can say that our feet are tired, but our souls are rested.”
Thinking about the brutality that they faced, the loss of life – even the strain and exhaustion that came from that long march – we can see that their tired bodies withstood. Their bodies remained holy no matter what anyone said or did to them. Body, soul, spirit came together to work for justice. Each aspect of self was as involved as the other. How could this profound holiness within their bodies be lost when they rise again?
When Jesus appeared to the disciples, his body wasn’t “perfect” as we would usually describe it. His wounds were still there. In his life and death, in the tomb and beyond, Jesus gave everything to show us the way to life eternal. This striving left marks on his body that he was not ashamed of. They were part of his earthly body and his glorious body.
Maybe when some awake in the final resurrection, it will be with wounds in their skin and bones just like Jesus. Maybe there will be bruises without pain or sunburns or red, swollen feet so that we can eternally celebrate the blessing that we give one another – even in these clumsy, imperfect bodies.
Sources:
* https://www.britannica.com/event/Selma-March/We-Shall-Overcome-LBJ-and-the-1965-Voting-Rights-Act
*https://www.historynet.com/famous-letters-and-speeches-of-martin-luther-king-jr/