Let Justice Roll Down

14Aug
But let justice roll down like waters,
  and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. 
-Amos 5:24


Today we remember Jonathan Myrick Daniels, an Episcopal seminarian and civil rights activist who gave his life in the fight against racial injustice in the United States. His story is one of courage, faith, and deep commitment to the principles of equality and human dignity. Reflecting on his life offers timeless lessons, particularly for those seeking to navigate the complexities of life in 2024.


Daniels grew up in a Congregationalist home in New Hampshire and attended college at Virginia Military Institute. Later, as a seminarian at the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he felt a call to join the Civil Rights Movement after hearing a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in early 1965. He saw the struggle for civil rights as an extension of his religious beliefs—a fight for the inherent dignity of all people created in the image of God. He answered that call and in March 1965 returned south to Selma, Alabama, to support the voting rights campaign. 


Originally planning to spend a weekend marching, Daniels decided to remain in Alabama. He and his classmates received permission to study independently and return to Cambridge for exams at the end of the semester. For the next two months he helped organize marches and on Sundays took young black students to the local Episcopal church. He returned to Cambridge for exams, following which he returned south to rejoin the struggle. During a protest on August 14 he was arrested and spent several days in a jail in Hayneville, Alabama. After being released, Daniels and a few others went to a nearby store where the shopkeeper brandished a shotgun and denied them entry to the building. There, refusing to leave the premises, Daniels shielded Ruby Sales, a woman of color and civil rights activist, from a shotgun blast, sacrificing his life to save hers.


Daniels was a white man who recognized the shared humanity of all people, regardless of race. He understood that the fight for civil rights in the United States was not just a black struggle but a human struggle. His willingness to cross racial lines to fight for justice is a powerful testament to the potential for unity in diversity. Daniels' ultimate act was one of self-sacrifice, a stark reminder of the power of love and the profound impact one person can have. His sacrifice was not just for Ruby Sales but for the broader cause of racial equality and justice in America.


In 2024, as social and political issues continue to divide communities, the life of Daniels reminds us that faith must be more than a personal comfort; it should inspire us to engage in the world, stand up for justice, and challenge systems of oppression. When social media and public opinion can sway our actions, Daniels’ example challenges us to hold fast to our convictions, even when they are unpopular or dangerous. His life calls us to protect and uplift the vulnerable, even at great personal cost. In an era of increasing polarization, Daniels' life urges us to build bridges across divides. Whether it’s race, religion, politics, or other differences, the work of justice and peace requires us to come together, recognizing our shared humanity.


Jonathan Myrick Daniels' life is a powerful reminder that each of us has a role to play. His unwavering faith, willingness to sacrifice, and commitment to unity offer profound lessons for us in 2024. As we navigate the complexities of our time, may we draw inspiration from his life to act with courage, compassion, and conviction.

Musical Reflection - Oh Freedom - Stanford Talisman Gala 2017


O God of justice and compassion, who puts down the proud and the mighty from their place, and lifts up the poor and afflicted: We give you thanks for your faithful witness Jonathan Myrick Daniels, who, in the midst of injustice and violence, risked and gave his life for another; and we pray that we, following his example, may make no peace with oppression; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Justice

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