Dear Father Paul: We celebrated the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday last week. I am only 31 years old so all I know about him is from books and TV which portray him in what seems like too positive a portrait. I wonder what Martin Luther King, Jr. was really like. Any thoughts? - Renee, Fayetteville.

Dear Renee: I was a college student and young high school history teacher during the Martin Luther King, Jr. era of the 1960's and I admired him very much. His enemies called him a "communist" but hardly anybody took that charge seriously. He was strongly against the Viet Nam War and that is perhaps where that charge started. Interestingly, he was right about the war, as history has amply proven.

I've always had the sense that King was a quiet, shy, and studious young preacher who (not by his own plan) somehow got caught up into a national leadership role. Black people despirately needed a leader; a champion, who could speak for them from the depths of their souls. Martin Luther King, Jr.became that voice.I personally believe that he was so committed to the principles he espoused that he just couldn't quit and walk away even though he had to know that it might ultimately cost him his life. This courage is one of the things I admire most about him.

I remember well where I was and what I was doing when the word of his assination came over the TV from Memphis. Cutting my lawn. My wife Judy came outside and told me and I put up the mower. JFK had been gunned down in Dallas just a few years earlier and King's murder made many Americans wonder aloud just where our country was headed. There was real concern about riots and civil unrest. It was a difficult time.

The other things I admire most about Dr. King are his perfection of the technique of massive non-violent protest which he took from Ghandi's successful fight for Indian independance from Great Britian. If the Palestinians were smarter they would have adopted this technique years ago instead of car bombs and would probably have their own country by now. Plus, I admire the fact that he was willing to take the required (legal) punishment (jail time) when he was arrested for protesting without a permit. He didn't claim special treatment or asked to be let off; he went to jail, and it became a badge of honor. I like that quality in a man or woman.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was not perfect, but none of us are. He was a great Georgian and a great American. I only wish I'd have met him personally.

Dear Father Paul: Are you a football fan? - Jack, Fayetteville.

Dear Jack: Yes, the Georgia Bulldogs (sorry Techies) and the Atlanta Falcons. I will be glued to the TV this Sunday at 3 p.m. to watch the Falcons play the Eagles; and yes, I will pray for the Falcons to win!

Special to John: The Bible does not say that money is the root of all evil; it says that the "love" of money is the root of all evil. From what you say, your wife is right, money has become your god. It is a god that will take you down the wrong road, John, then leave you with absolutely nothing of eternal value.

Father Paul Massey will answer your questions. Write him at [email protected] or P.O. Box 510 Fayetteville, Georgia, 30214.