Well, perhaps not quite. Martin King focussed his attention, quite rightly, on race, class and nationality. He was tragically killed before the second wave of feminism in the early 1970s. Some of his women colleagues, who later embraced feminism, assure us that Martin, too, would have become at the vanguard of gender inclusion. He lived, too, before we became sensitive to issues of sexual orientation. We still wrestle with issues of race, class, nationalism, gender, sexuality, and ability/capability. Culturally we are just beginning to look at speciesism. I like to think that if Martin was still with us he would be at the forefront of inclusivity, for it is such a beautiful thing.
In part, Martin derived his understanding of the Beloved Community from the Christian telling of the story of Pentecost—the coming, continuing presence of Spirit in the world.
Those who were followers found in Jesus of Nazareth the presence of God—a peaceful, inclusive spirit of acceptance of others. In the stories, Jesus included as friends those whom others dare not include. He counted women, untouchables, foreigners, non-religious, social outcasts, and children as valued and worthy of time and attention. Here were the seeds of Beloved Community. When Jesus was killed and taken from them, how were his followers to carry on? How could they? By the continued presence of the spirit of Jesus, still creating Beloved Community, still reaching out, still including and valuing all. As before, so now.
For me that is what the myths of resurrection and the coming of Spirit speak of. (I see the different stories speaking in different ways of the same transcategorical reality.) What the disciples saw in Jesus among them, they experienced with each other after he was taken.
In Luke's telling of the story, the significance of Spirit is that people of all nationalities and ethnicities are included. None are left out. "We hear, each of us, in our native languages," the astonished crowd said. Symbolically, it suggests that you don't have to be the same as me. You have your own "native language." Muslims hear in their own native language As do Sikhs. As do atheists. Not only so, but "women and slaves" are included. Even more so, "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh." My companion pugs are flesh. The deer, and chipmunks, and squirrels, and birds, and toads, and bugs are flesh. They too? Yes, they too! All are valued. All are included. All are beautiful. (I found big brother toad pictured above when I was cutting the grass Friday.)
In Pauls' interpretation, Spirit among us is for the common good. Our many and diverse abilities are a manifestation of the Spirit that is in all. All have something to contribute for the well being of all.
In John's account, the coming of Spirit—for John resurrection and the coming of Spirit are much the same—is about peace. The presence of Spirit means peace for the world. Peace because all are included and all are valued, and none are excluded.
Such is Beloved Community. Such was Martin King's vision. Such is the spirit of Pentecost. Such is beautiful.
+Ab. Andy