Last week’s horrific shooting in Tuscon occurred only eight days into 2011 and 11 days prior to the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The tragedy set a somber tone for the New Year—our nation had hoped for a brighter sign. 

Instead, we are forced to reflect upon the increasing divisiveness of our politics, the persistence of our economic woes and an even deeper sort of poverty-- pervasive moral and social injustice. 

Regardless of our race, political affiliation or religious views, we are a nation united by our thirst for healing and our hunger for peace.  This is a time when many of us look to our spiritual leaders for comfort and guidance.

In my personal quest for a deeper understanding, I reached out to members of our local clergy.  Many of these men and women were addressing their congregations this weekend on the topics of peace, unity and service.  Two clergy members in particular provided me with commentary, including portions of their sermons in reaction to the violence in Tuscon and also in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.  

Reverend Okke Postma of the First Reformed Church of Hastings was greatly inspired by the memorial event held in Tuscon last week: "Martin Luther King Day reminds us of one of Dr. King’s many memorable phrases: the importance of  ‘The Audacity of Hope.’ The gathering at the Memorial in Tuscon last Wednesday struck that same note. President Obama used that phrase for an earlier book he wrote.  At the memorial event he paraphrased it as a call to action: 'We can do better.'"

Reverend Postma said we could all be inspired by Dr. King’s example as we find our way toward peace and unity in the wake of violent tragedy: “The preacher of I Have A Dream still has much to tell us," he said.

Postma urged members of his congregation to ask themselves, “How do we engage such faith? How do we sustain such hope?  How do we express the love that such faith and hope demand?” 

Despite so many people's impulse to hate and thirst for vengeance in the wake of such brutality, Postma echoed Attorney General Eric Holder's words at the memorial, citing biblical passages that suggest people should turn to love and spirituality rather than hate—aligning more closely with Martin Luther King's, "moral arch that bends toward justice."

Pastor Scott Paradise of Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church also addressed his congregation on the topic of the Arizona shootings.  His Jan. 9 sermon  included a lesson on humble service through following the example of Christ.

Part of the mission of the clergy, he said, is to serve “on behalf of the poor and oppressed.”   These messages coincide well with Martin Luther King Day. Pastor Paradise said that the violence in Tuscon illustrates so many forms of oppression in our society. “The oppressed includes more than the poor," he said. "Many were among the oppressed that day: the injured, the dead, even those, like me, who wondered about how the shooting would affect access to our elected officials.

He added, "I also think that we have come to learn that the obviously disturbed shooter has been oppressed as well.  Somehow the system designed to ‘catch’ such people and get them the help needed failed so that he was able to act in the tragic way he did.”  

Paradise made a connection between Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and God’s Servant, who has been created and set aside for God's greater purpose.  

“An article in The New York Times on Monday noted that Ms. Giffords was a ‘low profile’ member of congress and, as such, the federal government did not provide her with extensive security.  Yet, it was clear that she did the job to which she had been elected but that she did it in an inconspicuous way. I believe that people of faith do exactly the same thing. They allow God to shape them and then they do God's work in ‘low profile’ ways,” Paradise said. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day also makes us think about humility, service and nonviolent discourse to affect change.  Speaking about Dr. King, Paradise said, “We know of his public and intentionally nonviolent actions, but much low profile, and even downright unglamorous work went on behind the scenes in preparing those actions.” 

He continued, “People will be wondering where to see God in this tragic situation.  I would say that it is precisely to this low profile work--quietly done for the sake of others--that we look to see the presence of God in this tragic situation.”  

In recent days new glimmers of hope emerge as we hear stories of Rep.Gabrielle Giffords’ recovery.  Paradise believes that we can draw a parallel between Giffords’ healing and the healing of our nation: “Just as she has begun what is likely to be a long healing process filled with many low profile victories, such as the opening of a single eye, our nation will also begin what is likely to be a long healing process filled with many low profile victories.  We can look and see the presence of God in those quiet--even low profile--victories.” 

Pastor Susan DeGeorge of South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry invites everyone in the community to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day next Sunday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m. at the church.   “I’ll be referring to the Arizona shooting in that sermon in a broader context of King’s dream for our global community,”Pastor DeGeorge said.  The sermon will be followed by an MLK brunch to raise funds for CLUSTER’s summer camp, a program serving children who live in the Getty Square area of Yonkers. 

For more information about First Reformed Church of Hastings or to speak personally with Reverend Okke Postma, please call 914-478-1560.  To learn more about Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church please visit their website at www.dobbsferrylutheran.org, or call Pastor Scott Paradise at 914-693-0810.  To find out more about South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry and the upcoming Martin Luther King Day service and brunch, visit the website at www.southpres.org or call 914-693-0473.