Paul woke to find the first light of morning streaming into the sacristy through the open and battered door. His cheek was resting on Martha's breast, and he could feel her heartbeat pulsing against his face. Slowly Paul lifted his head, so he wouldn't disturb her. But when he glanced at Martha's face, he saw that she was already awake.

"I-I-I'm sorry, Martha," he stammered. "I didn't mean to be pressing on you so."

"You were sound asleep," she replied, "like a baby." She smiled. "You don't need to apologize for anything."

Carefully Paul collected his feet beneath him and stood up. He was stiff from sitting through the night and sore from the running he'd done the day before. He offered his hand to Martha, who took it and pushed and pulled herself up from the floor. Slowly they slid the bookshelf open, slipped out from the closet, and shoved the shelf back into place. When Paul saw the full extent of the damage in the sacristy, he wanted to cry. Cups and plates were broken, the brass chalice had a dent in its side, papers and books were lying on the floor and were stained where the men has pissed on them. A couple of robes were torn and vestments were strewn around the room. He hated to think what his house next door looked like.

"We need to get this cleaned up before morning Mass," Martha said, beginning to put what was undamaged back on the shelves.

Paul looked at his watch, which said 5:08. He had time to clean up next door. He helped Martha for a few moments, and then went out into the alley and down to the back of the mission. As he pushed open the splintered back door, his heart sank. All of his plates were broken and only one of his cups had survived. The crucifix had been torn from the wall and smashed into several pieces. His books were strewn about, and in the front room two of the three beds were broken. He was lucky that the fluorescent light bulb had survived, probably because the men had needed the light themselves. Its glass and chemicals would have been a terrible mess to clean up.

In fifteen minutes Paul had all the broken pieces swept off the floor and the room in order. One of the blessings of not having a big house or many possessions, he thought to himself. There's less to lose and less to clean up. Then he walked back to the sacristy. Martha had swept and scrubbed the floor, but there was still a faint odor of urine. Paul felt the anger rising within him. How could he forgive these men? And what about all the people who were hurt at the hotel? How could he forgive those who had beaten these innocent people? There must be dozens of people in the hospital this morning because of the attack yesterday.

Although it was early, he picked up the telephone and rang Samuel. Samuel's wife answered, but Samuel came quickly to the phone. "Samuel," Paul began, "I'm sorry to call so early, but I wanted to be sure that you were all right." Paul listened while Samuel told him that a few men had raided his colony last night, but the men on security had chased them out before they had done much damage. They never got as far as Samuel's house.

"Have you heard what happened to our people trapped in the hotel?" Paul asked. Samuel gave him a quick summary of the situation. Fifteen persons were in the hospital. Two men had been killed. Twelve of the men on security duty had been arrested, and so far Samuel hadn't been able to find out where they were being held.

Paul quickly described his own night, and then asked if he knew what happened to Joseph. Samuel said he hadn't received word yet.

Paul's hand was shaking, as he put down the receiver. What were they to do now?

Martha roused him from his thoughts by offering him a cup of tea. She had already added milk, just the way he liked it.

"Thank you, Martha." They sat and sipped their tea, and he told her what he'd learned from Samuel. "I'm worried about Joseph," he said. "I'm sure he went back into the hotel." Joseph might be in the hospital or arrested. It would be better if he were in the hospital. The police, or the Security Forces, who often made arrests in political situations, liked to torture their captives. He shuddered to think of what Joseph might be facing this morning.

They finished and put the cups in the small sink. Then Martha went to open the front door of the church. Soon he could hear people entering. He was surprised that the few people who usually came had arrived so promptly. As he heard the shuffling of more feet, he looked out. The room was filling up with people from the colony, including some who had never come before. There were men as well as women, shopkeepers as well as street addicts, students and children.

They know what happened yesterday, he thought. They've come this morning to show their support! He slipped on his robe, picked up the missal, and went out into the sanctuary. Martha had lit the candles and was already kneeling in front of the altar. There was hardly room for him to squeeze into the room and no room to join those in front of the altar. He bowed as he entered, first facing the crucifix and then facing the people who were kneeling on the floor. Then he stepped past and around people until he was behind the altar and could begin the service.

Paul was surprised at how calm he had become. It was all clear to him now. If they were persecuted, the people would grow stronger. All they had to do was go forward without hatred or bitterness, no matter what happened. The people would understand and follow. Even if they were defeated in their strategy, nonetheless they would win in the end.

While he repeated the familiar words of the Mass, Paul looked at the faces of the people who were crowded into the church. Strange, he didn't see in their faces the sympathy he expected. At first, he was puzzled. Perhaps they hadn't come just to show their support for him. Their eyes were inquiring, seeking. Then it dawned on him. They wanted to hear the gospel from someone who was being persecuted for it. They were hoping to find God somehow in the midst of his suffering and their suffering.

He turned to the beatitudes at the beginning of the fifth chapter of the gospel of Matthew and read: "Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are the sorrowful; they shall find consolation. Blessed are the gentle; they shall have the earth for their possession."

Paul realized that his spirit was being revived by the presence of the people, and that they were drawing strength from his renewed faith and hope. As the Bishop said, he thought to himself, there's more power in the Mass than we realize.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied. Blessed are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them. Blessed are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God."

He noticed several of the addicts he'd worked with through the mission. It was great to see them in the church. Then he spotted Joseph at the back. His face was bandaged, but he didn't seem badly hurt. Thank God!

"Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called God's children. Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right; the kingdom of heaven is theirs."

He closed the Bible and waited a moment in silence before beginning his homily. "The man who spoke these words to his disciples knew sorrow and was acquainted with grief. He was despised and rejected. His heart was pure, and he yearned for right to prevail. But he was beaten and crucified as though he were a criminal."

"Yet he said not a word against those who tormented and tortured him. Moreover, as he prepared for the horrible and unjust death that awaited him, he taught his disciples to forgive their enemies and to pray for those who persecuted them. The prayer he gave to his disciples, the prayer we say today, reminds us that we must forgive those who wrong us, if we are to hope for God's forgiveness for the wrongs we have done to others."

Paul felt his voice growing stronger. He was almost chanting his words now, the way he did when he began to be caught up in what he was saying. The words just flowed out of his mouth. "This way of forgiveness and love, however, is not a way for the weak but for the strong. By praying for our enemies and by forgiving them the wrong they have done to us, we reveal that we are stronger than they are. By not giving in to fear or anger, we show our trust in the power of God to bring forth justice from injustice. By facing our enemies to see right prevail, as Jesus faced his enemies, we may experience the cross, but the cross is our freedom and our greatest hope. For it is on the cross that Jesus defeats the power of evil and reveals the saving love of God for all humanity."

Paul hesitated, and then made his decision. "I want to invite Sister Martha to lead the prayers today. She was particularly brave last night when the church was attacked. Her faith should inspire us all." Paul hoped Martha would cooperate with his request. He hadn't asked her before the service began, because he hadn't thought of it until he'd finished his homily. But he wanted to recognize her for her courage.

Martha rose from the floor with her head down, but when she stood beside him behind the altar, she held her head up and lifted both her arms. "Gracious God, our Father," she began, and the congregation became absolutely silent. "We thank you for all the gifts of life, for this day, for each other, and for the opportunity to serve you through the life of the Church. Father, we are grateful for the many blessings we have received, for family and friends, for experiences of joy and beauty, and for opportunities to grow in our faith, even when these challenges are frightening and involve suffering."

Paul could feel the energy pouring out of Martha's body, as she increased the intensity of her voice and raised her hands up higher. "Father, we ask for your guidance. Help us to see the way forward. Help us to overcome our fear and our bitterness. Help us to struggle for justice against our enemies with hearts full of your love. Give us the strength to forgive those who wrong us, and give us the courage to repent of the wrongs we have done. Unite us in the ministry of the Church for the sake of the world."

Then she bowed her head and began to cross herself. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Everyone had crossed themselves and joined in the conclusion of the prayer. After the final amen, however, the sanctuary was absolutely still. Paul rested in this deep and commanding silence until Martha returned to her place on the floor. Then he continued with the Eucharistic prayer and blessed the elements, although he was hardly aware of what he was saying. The feeling of Martha's voice continued to reverberate within him. Something special was happening here in his little congregation. He could feel it, and he was sure the others felt it, too. When the people came forward to receive the bread and the wine, he saw the gleam in their eyes. They held their heads up and stood erect. Martha's prayer had touched them all. They were emboldened by her faith, as the first apostles had been emboldened by the experience of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

After everyone had been served, he wiped the chalice and folded the napkin on the altar. His mind was racing now. How should he end the service? The standard benediction would seem like an afterthought. Something new and more challenging was needed for this occasion. But what? Then he remembered an experience in Birmingham, when he was on retreat with other students and novices in the inner city. After a number of ministers had shared the struggles of their work in the slums and they had all prayed together, they joined hands and sang, "We Shall Overcome." In Birmingham, of course, they had sung in English, but the Christians of Pakistan knew the words in Urdu. They had followed the American civil rights movement with intense interest. Not only songs like, "We Shall Overcome," but also the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. had been available in Urdu translations.

"Brothers and sisters, the Mass is ended. But before we leave, I want to invite you all to join in singing, 'We Shall Overcome.' Please stand and join hands with the persons on either side of you." Paul stepped out from behind the altar and reached for Sister Martha's hand. He waved to Joseph to come to the front, and as he came within reach Paul extended his other hand. While people moved around in order to hold hands with one another, Paul began to hum the tune. Soon others were humming with him. And when they finished humming a verse, Paul began to sing.

"We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome, some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day." People were swaying from side to side. It was hard to stand still singing this song. It represented all their hopes and all their fears at the same time.

"We are not afraid, we are not afraid, we are not afraid today. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day." They were afraid, of course. He was afraid. Yet, by singing together they were holding the fear at bay, so it wouldn't immobilize them. Paul felt his courage returning, and he saw the light coming back into Joseph's eyes.

"God is on our side, God is on our side, God is on our side today. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day." God was not on their side and against their enemy, but God was on the side of truth and justice. If they were working for what was right, if they were on God's side, then God was on their side. Keep us from being arrogant, Lord, Paul prayed silently. Help us trust in you.

"The truth will make us free, the truth will make us free, the truth will make us free today. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day." Martha was swaying back and forth with her eyes closed and her face raised. Joseph was relaxed and smiling. All around him Paul could feel the tension lift, as the song worked its way through their bodies. This was not the end, it was a new beginning.

"We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday," they sang again, now raising their hands for the final line. "Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day." When the people began to leave, many were humming and some of them continued to hold the hand of another person. Paul knew they were as moved as he had been. The attack on the church had been a blessing in disguise. He saw that Martha was being embraced by several of the women who had attended the service. Today Martha had become a leader.