As this week's news unfolded, I learned things about many of my friends in church and from other parts of my life: I learned how many people are survivors of, or directly touched by the brutal history of Nazism in World War II Germany. People have been sharing with me their stories about grandparents' escapes from danger or deaths in concentration camps. World War II is a part of our global history still fresh enough to be remembered -- and a time in which the much of the world came together to stop a group from oppressing a minority.
I think that's why what happened in Charlottesville is so scary for so many. Racism, even racism that results in the death and diminishment of black and brown lives, has become, even if abhorrent, somewhat familiar. But racism with consequences for millions of lives beyond that target group? All of a sudden, Charlottesville reminds us that racism is not the "problem" to be dealt with by "minority groups" but an issue that affects all of our lives and calls into question who we are as citizens and as people of faith.
What I have found reassuring and empowering this week is the recollection of the most basic animating values of both my Christian faith and our nation's aspirational identity, found in our baptismal and national covenants: we must [continually] seek God's face in those around us, loving our neighbor as ourselves. We must strive for justice and peace, and seek the common welfare.
The gospel last Sunday was about Peter walking on water. When he focused on Jesus, on the gospel, on the essential good things, he succeeded in accomplishing the impossible. When he got distracted by the storm, he sank.
As I
preached on Sunday, I am taking a good deep breath, squaring my shoulders, exhaling with a nice tall spine. I am clarifying my posture. By staying oriented toward the good in humanity and in God, I aim to imagine the possible even in this storm. I had the chance to gather with a group of interfaith leaders in Boston this week to think and pray through how best to respond to this crisis in this moment. We felt we could say this:
...As clergy and religious professionals living together in the historic city of Boston, we stand united in support of the foundational democratic value of pluralism --religious, ethnic, racial, and otherwise. As we decry the abhorrent behavior of the violent bigots in Charlottesville and the underwhelming response of some of our national leaders, we also call on our communities to rededicate themselves to serving as agents of healing in our homes, houses of worship, work places, schools, playgrounds and streets.
There are many ways for us to engage in healing work together and with others. See below for a link for information to events at Temple Israel, and other assemblies. At Trinity this Sunday at the 10 a.m. service, in place of the Postlude, join us out on Copley Square to sing hymns and songs of national unity.
May our voices be signs of the embracing love of Christ which stands against racism and hatred.
Let's sing and breathe, pray and rededicate ourselves to the gospel. Today, and tomorrow, and the day after that. Amen.
See you in church,
The Rev. Rita T. Powell
Associate Rector
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