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‘Do whatever Jesus tells you’

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Grand Knight Anthony Johnson (left) of the Knights of Peter Claver Council 398 and Past Grand Lady Beverly Thornton of the ladies auxiliary deliver the gifts to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Jan. 16. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Michele Jones, a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver delivers the second reading at the Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Jan. 16. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Eugene Harper Jr., director of the St. Joseph Gospel Ensemble, plays the piano at the Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Jan. 16. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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The congregation prays the Our Father at the Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Jan. 16. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Estella Bartia chats with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the reception after the Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Jan. 16. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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More than 200 people gathered at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Jan. 16 for the Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.

In his homily, Bishop Burbidge recalled Mary’s words from the Gospel passage in which she encouraged those gathered to listen to her son.

“Imagine how radically transformed and improved we and our country would be if we followed the words that Mary spoke to the guests at the wedding at Cana when referring to Jesus and said: ‘Do whatever he tells you,’ ” he said.

“Ever mindful of the teachings of Jesus and the words of our forefathers, Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of an America that would be a ‘beloved community’ where we would live together in one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. He never tired of speaking about how this dream could be realized through peaceful and non- violent ways, and for this dream he gave his very life.”

Bishop Burbidge lamented that racism, bigotry, inequality and division continue to this day and that to think otherwise would be “naive.”

“I continue to hear the stories of our brothers and sisters in our diocese who experience racist injustices and inequalities in their workplaces and communities,” he said. “Our hearts are saddened as we hear these realities and as we remember what others have endured throughout history. We express our regret and sorrow, but we do not despair because we are believers who are convinced of the miraculous power of Jesus.”

In closing, he said that, strengthened by receiving the Eucharist, “may we go forth as (Jesus’) disciples and never stop dreaming, hoping, working and praying for that day when all forms of racism are eradicated.”

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