A Living Hermeneutic
Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr. sit on a church bench during the Freedom Rider crisis in May 1961.
Jimy Martinez, originally from Honduras, has been a dedicated pastor since 2015 and a cherished member of Neighborhood Ministries for over 20 years. Recently ordained alongside Kendall through the Street Psalms network, Jimy is known for his deep commitment to community and faith. More than a trusted friend, he is like a brother to us, embodying the values of love, service, and spiritual leadership that inspire those around him.
When we hear the word “saint,” many of us think of people from long ago. Saints are often seen as distant, perfect, or untouchable. But the truth is, saints are also people who live among us. They are people who embody God’s love and justice in the real world. Heroes and saints interpret Scripture not just with words but with their actions. They live out what the Bible teaches, showing us what it means to follow Jesus.
This week, as we honor, reflect on, and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I couldn’t help but think of him as one of these saints in my life. I started learning about Dr. King in a Bible study we do at Neighborhood Ministries called Mystic Activists. When I read about his life and work, Scripture comes alive! He interpreted Scripture with his life, showing us the meaning of love, justice, and courage. Dr. King preached with both words and actions. He marched, wrote letters, and stood up to injustice. For me, Dr. King’s marches were like sermons in motion. His life was a living interpretation of what it means to follow Jesus.
Jesus was the Word of God made flesh, or as we often say at Neighborhood Ministries, He was “Love with skin on!” He showed us the heart of God in everything He did. He didn’t just talk about love—He touched the untouchable, ate with sinners, and forgave those who persecuted Him. He showed us what God’s love looks like. Saints like Dr. King follow Jesus’ example. They show us how to live out God’s Word in our own lives.
Then-Archbishop Oscar Romero is pictured in an undated photo in San Salvador, El Salvador. Archbishop Romero will be one of seven new saints Pope Francis will canonize Oct. 14 at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Equipo Maiz, courtesy CAFOD, Just One World)
Growing up in Honduras in the 1980s, I found a hero in Oscar Romero. He was the archbishop of San Salvador during a time of great unrest in Central America. Like Dr. King, Romero lived out the Gospel in dangerous and difficult times. He preached against injustice, poverty, and violence. He spoke out for the poor and oppressed, even when it put his life at risk.
The first time I heard Romero’s sermons, they were powerful, and I continue to listen and read them to this day. But his life has had an even greater effect on me. He visited the poor, listened to their stories, and shared their struggles. He called on soldiers to stop killing their own people, saying, “In the name of God, stop the repression.” He was killed while celebrating Mass, but his message did not die. He remains a symbol of hope and courage.
Heroes like Romero and Dr. King show us what it means to be a living hermeneutic. That phrase, “living hermeneutic,” means living in a way that interprets the meaning of Scripture. I first heard that phrase recently at a workshop I attended with friends from a different organization called Street Psalms. They invited James Alison, a Catholic priest and theologian known for applying René Girard’s theories to atonement theology and biblical hermeneutics. As he talked about the life of Jesus and how He walked alongside people, he said, “Jesus was a living hermeneutic.” This phrase has been in my mind ever since.
Pastor Jimy Martinez, Kendall Dooley, and Chris Williams after ordination (Oct. 2024)
I started asking myself: Is our church community a living hermeneutic? When people see our community, do they see the love and justice of Jesus? Do they see us walking alongside the poor, welcoming the stranger, and standing up for what is right? These are hard questions, but they are the ones we must ask if we want to follow Jesus.
I was reminded of the quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that says, “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” The thing is, St. Francis preached a lot! And he went many places preaching the Gospel. For me, this quote doesn’t mean we should stop using words. But it is a reminder that our actions and how we live need to speak louder than what we say.
Many in our communities are facing an uncertain future, like those in the immigrant community. Fear and insecurity make it hard to hold on to hope. In these difficult times, heroes and saints show us what faith in action looks like. Walking alongside the immigrant community, advocating for their dignity, and standing with them in their struggles are ways they lived out the Gospel. Now is our turn.
Heroes and saints like Jesus, Dr. King, and Oscar Romero inspire me. They show me that living the Gospel is not easy, but it is possible. In our homes, our neighborhoods, and our cities, we can be a reflection of Jesus. When we do this, we become living hermeneutics. Scripture comes alive!
Reflection Questions:
Who are the heroes and saints among us today, and how do their lives inspire us to live out the Gospel in meaningful ways?
In what ways are we embodying God’s love through our actions, standing up for justice, and walking alongside the poor and oppressed?
