The Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, D.Min., Executive Director
The minister at the church I attended as a child happened to be a classmate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Boston University School of Theology. I recall from his sermons his frequent mentioning of this fact; I think, in retrospect, it had less to do with name dropping than the portrayal of a controversial figure at this time (this was a small town in the Midwest in the early 1960s) in more human and accessible terms. He helped a skeptical congregation feel more connected to this man. Frequently, the minister would speak of King as a quiet, reflective young student, deeply committed to his studies and someone who spent a good deal of time to himself. Some of that aloneness may have had to do with his social marginalization at the time as a person of color. It may also have to do with the fact that while King had a very public life he was also a man who spent a good deal of time in prayer, study, and introspection. Perhaps King was already having glimpses of what was going to be demanded of him, and he was wise enough to know that such a calling demanded care, discernment of this calling, and time alone with God.
So often we think of Dr. King as the “man out front,” be it leading a march, confronting people of power, or delivering a stirring speech. To be sure, the development of equal rights in this country would not have been the same had he not played such a public and openly prophetic role. But there is also another side of King—his commitment to prayer, solitude, and devoted study, to those moments when, in his own words, he had “been to the mountaintop.” His public persona is balanced by a time alone in preparation, replenishment, and reflection. In this balance between public and private he clearly reflects the rhythm of Jesus’ own life and ministry.
We celebrate our heroes so often in terms of what we see of them, “out front.” It is the important and tangible expression of their power and influence. Dr. King also teaches us that public presence is balanced by time alone, indeed that these times of aloneness are essential for the demands of prophetic leadership. Our students need to hear of that necessary balance, a balance that they are fortunate to take advantage of themselves in Episcopal schools.