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Dr. King said that the failure of Democracy gave rise to Communism.
Well, it is the failure of the Christian religion-a religion that
had missionary houses above slave holding cells in West Africa; it
is the failure of our political systems to create fair and just
systems for ALL that created its opposite-nationalistic and separate
race-based religions which evolve from frustration and
disenfranchisement, when people have not been given a voice nor
space at the table, and when Democracy has failed to live out the
true meaning of its creed
Now some might say that, "We aren't there anymore. Racism's over.
It's about class. We are not in the 60s. And an African American is
the leading Democratic candidate for President. It's a new day."
Perhaps, but we are still there. As Obama said, this is still "a
conversation we must have." And if you don't believe that we are
still there, where White privilege creates the "us against them"
reality, I want you to take a ride with me. I can take you to
Woodland, to Shipley Terrace, we ride the bus from Alabama to
Connecticut Avenue, we can go to some of the schools, we can go to
some of the PTA meetings where few parents show up, we can go look
at the statistics, we can look at the gross materialism from
internalized oppression in the community, and then you tell me where
we are in this country on this issue! I can assure you that after
you ride with me, when you see what the media is doing, you will
have a different outlook!
When a preacher talks about the destruction of his community by the
government he is projecting a deep frustration-that is the hidden
message; when he sees the people on his pew who live in very bad
conditions he, in an angry way, is crying out for justice. And he
could blame them those in the church for their social condition. I'm
sure he says to them from time to time, "You've got to pick yourself
up." However, he also knows that there is something else, something
systemic, something that he feels is imbalanced and unjust and thus
he blames the public institutions that have historically
marginalized his people. Right or wrong that's what happens and
that's what gives lift to Black liberation theology and that is what
was behind Rev. Wright's comments.
We do need a new theology, one that embraces instead of erases. And
that's what we are building here-a new paradigm where we from many
different places, worship together and share a common theology that
is inclusive and not exclusive. But that doesn't change the fact
that our nation has failed people of color and other marginalized
peoples.
You see, most never go deep enough. Most just stay on the surface
and never go deep enough to really see what's holding something
together or keeping it a part. We go to the edge of the cave but we
never go deep enough in that cave-when it gets so dark you can't see
yourself. We drive on the highway and never go through the city Most
do what the media does--we get the "Cliff notes." We do what I did
my first year in seminary. I started telling my minister all that I
had learned thinking I knew it all and she said, "Yes, John, you
have just enough information now TO REALLY BE DANGEROUS."
We get just enough information to really be dangerous. And we really
never go deep enough to see the essence or the true meaning of the
situation. And that is why America - ALL OF US - need to be reborn
on this Easter Sunday. We all got to go and slay our bulls, drink a
new type of wine, and consume a new type of flesh that is more
patient, loving.
We must take more time for ourselves. That one's for me because
preachers spend so much time on other's that they scarcely make time
for themselves. But if we ALL want to experience the bliss of
springing forth into new life, then we must take heed to the lessens
in the ancient religious mysteries which guide us to go deep-go real
deep to find the mystery in life that is beyond the dichotomies and
projections and judgments of others because their teachings POINT us
right back to ourselves. We need to go within-to our cave and then
come back to the SOL INVICTUS - to the unconquerable light of wisdom
and understanding. YOU WERE MADE TO BE REBORN!
"For in the tomb of the soul, we each carry secret yearnings, pains,
frustrations, loneliness, fears, regrets, and worries. But in this
season where light and dark balance the day, might we seek balance
for ourselves. Grateful for the darkness that has nourished us, we
push away the stone and invite the light to awaken us to the
possibilities within us and among us - possibilities for new life in
ourselves and in our world." Let it be so!
Amen.
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