January 9

Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Joan Baez, musician and activist. Both of her grandfathers were pastors, and she became a Quaker and a pacifist early in life. She was active in the Civil Rights Movement and has always said that she identifies more as a social justice advocate than a musician. 

Today is also the birthday, in 1959, of Rigoberta Menchú, Mayan advocate in Guatemala for indigenous and women’s rights. Several members of her family were tortured and executed by the Guatemalan military during the civil war there. She was exiled for her activism in 1981, but continued to organize indigenous people against the oppressive violence of the state. In 1992 she won the Nobel Peace Prize. 

Today is a feast day, in the Episcopal Church, for Julia Chester Emery, who led the Women’s Auxiliary of the Board of Missions for four decades. 

Today marks Martyrs’ Day, in Panama, when in 1964, protests around flying the Panama or American flag in the Canal Zone turned violent. Nearly 30 people died in the riots, including an infant whose asthma was triggered by tear gas. This was the beginning of the slow American relinquishment of control of the Panama Canal, which wouldn’t be complete until 1999. 

Reflection: 

Among many other powerful lyrics and words, Joan Baez said: 

“I went to jail for 11 days for disturbing the peace; I was trying to disturb the war.”

Joan Baez

and

“Action is the antidote to despair.”

Joan Baez

Rigoberta Menchú said,

“I am like a drop of water on a rock. After drip, drip, dripping in the same place, I begin to leave a mark, and I leave my mark in many people's hearts.”

Rigoberta Menchú

Prayer: Source of Life, you continue to drip, drip in our hearts. Shape humanity for the peace with justice that you intend. Amen.