Yesterday was a day of striking contrasts. We remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy – his courage, charisma, and deep commitment to nonviolence. He envisioned a future where humanity would see one another as siblings and live in peace, unity, and with a shared purpose. His dream called us to overcome our differences and build a society rooted in love and justice.

At the same time, the inauguration of the 47th president presented a vastly different vision. His rhetoric often emphasizes division, fostering fear and a sense of scarcity – scarcity of jobs, resources, and power. Calls for mass deportations, building walls, and acquiring the land of other nations reflect a worldview centered on exclusion and hierarchy. The slogan “America first” does not inspire the brotherhood Dr. King spoke of but instead amplifies disconnection and inequity.

The juxtaposition of these two leaders being celebrated on the same day reminds us of the choices we face as a society: Will we embrace ideals that unite and uplift, or ones that divide and exclude?

For Christians, Jesus’ example offers a way forward. Jesus did not seek power or wealth, nor did he speak poorly of those who opposed him. Instead, he invited them to his table, sharing meals with people considered outsiders or even enemies. He confronted injustice, flipping tables in the temple when power was being abused. These are the values reflected in Dr. King’s life – radical hospitality, courageous love, and the pursuit of justice.

Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection resonate deeply in this moment: “Stop holding onto me.” Though initially startling, they are a reminder that she already possessed everything she needed to carry his spirit forward and to instruct the rest of the Apostles to do the same. Jesus also lived in a world shaped by systems of oppression, yet he responded with compassion and courage. On the Sabbath, when tradition emphasized rest, he chose to feed and heal anyone in need. To Jesus, traditions and laws were not meant to be held higher than the wellbeing of human dignity. When thousands gathered, it wasn’t the miraculous appearance of bread and fish that fed them, but the way love inspired a crowd to share what they had that resulted in having more than enough. He emphasized repeatedly to take care of the poor, prisoner, and stranger. Mary and the other Apostles saw his work first hand, and they were instructed to continue it. When we observe people like Jesus and Dr. King, we realize that they mirror what’s already within us and that lasting change cannot endure with the energy of one person, but by many who choose to carry it forward. Heaven isn’t waiting for us in an afterlife; we create it. Heaven is already here in acts of love, but it’s also still waiting to be realized.

The essence of Jesus’ miracles lies in acts of love. It is the courage to reach out and to let love lead the way. It’s a love that dwells in each of us when we witness a need in our world and rather than criticize or ignore it, we ask ourselves “what can I do to be a part of the solution?” In doing so an alternative society emerges similar to how a plant’s continued growth can crack or break the surrounding concrete.

The day after the election, I felt overwhelmed by my own feelings of scarcity, instability, and disconnection, and it felt like the weather should have matched my dreary mood. Yet, the days that followed were unexpectedly bright and beautiful as they pulled me outside for walks. The Earth expressed a vibrant reminder of a deeper truth: that the systems we’ve created in the name of progress and convenience are far removed from the reality of creation, which quietly sustains and holds us together.

This Earthly reality instead reflects qualities of abundance, stability, and connection. This is the reality we know at the core of our being as we are not separate from the Earth, but an expression of it. As said by Alan Watts, “You are the universe experiencing itself.” Creation mirrors what is already within us and draws it out, inviting us to remember who we are as She offers a path forward. When we slow down and pay attention She calls us back to ourselves. She teaches us how to nourish ourselves, the beauty of diversity, how to let go, the importance of suffering, and so much more about what it means to be human within this vast web of life. She also teaches us that we have the power to choose – to turn away from systems of fear and scarcity, and instead, turn towards Her to learn how to create something new, something creative where everyone can be taken care of. It’s no wonder research shows that people who feel more connected to the Earth report greater happiness and a stronger sense of purpose. Creation has the power to evoke calm, joy, and creativity. When we embrace these qualities, we need less, we compare ourselves less, and we seek validation less. What awaits us is love that has the capacity to overcome boundaries, excluding nothing and no one.

Yesterday, we were also offered two invitations. Which legacy and ideals will we carry forward: Dr. King’s or the systems of division and exclusion that threaten to pull us apart? If it feels too tender to engage in conversation about our differences right now, we can follow creation’s lead of quiet service. Rather than discuss we can simply ask, “How can I serve you?” “How can I show up for you?” “How can I feed you?”

These acts build comfort and trust within our communities. They remind us of our own vast capacity to love, even in the face of extreme difficulty. I know that whatever happens over the next four years that there will be resistance to injustice, and we will protect those who are most vulnerable like a mother bear protects her cubs. There will also be joy, dancing, and compassion. Dr. King and Jesus showed us that where there is despair, we can choose hope. Where there is division, we can choose to be a bridge. Where there is hatred or fear, we can choose love. If those who are currently wielding their power choose to join us, there is always more space at the table.