February has been designated Black History Month. I know there will be those who say we don’t designate other months for other ethnicities’ history. I want you to take a moment and think about that. Think really hard about that statement. In any society, those in power write history to glorify their perspective, and subjugate or dismiss other perspectives. I recently read somewhere, Black History Month is not for Black people, they live their history all year long. Black History Month is to educate all the rest of us of the awe-inspiring contributions made to our society and world by Black people. I really like that statement. One of the most attractive things I see in anyone, is their desire to learn new things that cause them to become enlightened about this diverse wonderful world God created for all of us.
President Joe Biden tells us…
“Black History Month is more than a celebration. It’s a powerful reminder that Black history is American history…it’s critical that we take the time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans, honor the legacy of generations past, reckon with centuries of injustice and confront injustice that still festers today.”
We are a nation of people who come from all corners of the world. We should endeavor to lift up and celebrate the accomplishments of all people, but this month we concentrate our attention on the contributions of Black people. Too often in our nation’s history there have been efforts to demean, deny, and disinclude the contributions of those who were seen and treated as inferior. Like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I know “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” We as people must also do the things that help pull that arc toward bending to justice. One of the ways we can do that is to celebrate the achievements of all.
Carter G. Woodson, “often called the “Father of Black History,” was an American historian, author and journalist. He founded the Association for the Study of African American life and History. In February 1926, Carter was behind the launch of ‘Negro History Week,’ which eventually turned into Black History Month.”
“Mae Jemison, is the first African American woman to travel to space. Jemison is a former NASA Astronaut, Doctor, and Engineer. She has been inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame.” Dr. Jemison reminds us…
“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make the life you want to live.”
As followers of Jesus, we have a duty, an obligation, a moral imperative to fight for the rights for all to be included, because God indeed loves all persons. We get twisted up, I think, in thinking God loves with partiality. We think we are especially loved because of who we are. We are not loved or valued because of race, culture, color, or even religious affiliation. We are loved because the One who made us, loves us without exception. Additionally, the One who loves us without exception, expects us to love, accept, and lift up those around us with all the same fervor we do those who are most like ourselves.
In James 2:1-4 we read…
“My brothers and sisters, do you really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor person, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
As a people of God, let us work together to lift up every person, their heritage, their accomplishments, their dreams, their aspirations. In working to honor the history of our African American sisters and brothers, we are doing our part to usher in the kingdom of God. In the Book of Genesis 12:3 we read…”Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all families of the earth shall be blessed.”
We are all part of a connected family, the blessings of one, blesses all others. As a part of my own story, my own history, Black people have made a huge impact in my life. I know what its like to be abandoned because I was an orphan from birth. I know what its like to be disparaged as a part of the LGBTQ community. When I was looking for a church to belong to, it was the Black Church who took me in. I didn’t look like them, I didn’t speak like them, but they loved me anyway. I have been blessed and inspired by so many in my journey. It was the love, acceptance and encouragement I received from my African American church friends that set me on the path to accepting a call to ministry. I have learned invaluable lessons at the feet of some of the wisest and most knowledgeable people. I wouldn’t have grown and matured into the person I am today without the blessings of so many.
Amanda Gorman is the “youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Gorman is a Cum Laude graduate of Harvard University who read her original poetry at President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Gorman tells us…
“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Friends, I know you. I know the love that exists within you. I know you to be a people whose light is not dimmed by the vagaries we are seeing in our nation’s attitudes and actions. Let you and me shine our lights so that ALL persons can be lifted up and celebrated. Its our actions, its our words, its our love that can and will make the difference in the world we live in. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has told us…
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” A large part of what we learn from our African American sisters and brothers is, when we stand together justice for all is achieved.
May God’s light burn ever bright within you and me. May we be educated to know of the many contributions Black people have made which has benefitted us all. May we live into the lyrics Father Peter Scholtes wrote in the 1960’s…
“We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom