Category Archives: Inspirational Christians

Mother Teresa Becomes Saint Teresa

04 Sunday Sep 2016

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Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.

 – Prayer of Mother Teresa

The first time I heard of Mother Teresa was the result of a punchline. I’m sure many of you have heard it before:

“Oh, you think you are a goody-two-shoes, huh? Who do you think you are, Mother Teresa?”

I had no idea who the, now, Saint Teresa was, but I knew she was someone who was deemed good, almost perfect. As time went on, I would see images of this little Albanian-Indian woman praying for those who were sick, impoverished, whom the scriptures would refer to as “the least of these”, worldwide. I would see images of people moved to uncontrollable tears while in her presence. It had a deep impact on me. I would dig deeper and find out what it meant for her to be a “Mother” and a nun. My Baptist upbringing did give me a good foundation to start from, with our cultural use of the term “Mother” in regards to an elderly woman who has had a tremendous impact on the local church community. Mother Teresa had an enormous impact on the world as a whole. She was often referred to as the “living saint.”

However; as to be expected in our increasingly anti-religious, Western society; there were critics afoot. People who could not stand having someone, an unabashedly religious person, who was deemed “saintly” revered worldwide. So, the critics started digging for dirt, and when you dig for dirt, you are bound to find some mess.

Critics of St.Teresa address primarily two issues, financial transparency and proselytizing of patients. In 1994, questions arose regarding the fact that her charity raises “millions of dollars” however her facilities are not in the best condition and her patients did not receive the best health care, according to western standards (including medication, treatment and the like). Also, that some of the money in which her charity received, may have been dirty (from dictators, embezzlers, mobsters, etc).

Prominent self-described “anti theist” Christopher Hitchens has been critical of the above, but his main critique is St. Teresa’s unabashedly Catholic message. He exposed Mother Teresa and her sisters baptizing dying patients (with or without their knowledge), her conservative stances (anti-abortion, anti-contraception, etc) and her embrace of suffering being a measure and test of faith.

Some Indian historians/authors, such as Chitrita Banerji, Aroup Chatterjee and Vijay Prashad have stated that St. Teresa is the representation of European paternalism on people of color in developing nations. There are accusations that she desired fame and the spread of the Catholic faith more than the health and well-being of the people of Calcutta. That in actuality, the city of Calcutta, its image, has been sullied. That its reputation is synonymous with being poor and destitute while St. Teresa is revered as a saintly woman.

All of these criticisms are warranted, however, I do wonder about the intent of those yielding the critiques. It is one thing if the criticism is done in a manner that is highlighting the flawed nature of humanity. As Congregationalist minister/theologian Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III refers to this as prophetic contradiction;  a person who has a prophet voice or calling, while also being flawed. If this is the intent, then I understand. However, it is an another thing when intent of the criticism is to besmirch the name or reputation of the subject. It is as if to say that their contributions and achievements are invalid because of their past mistakes. It seems to me that in our Western context, that seems to be the order of day.

Holy Week 2014

14 Monday Apr 2014

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Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the
human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to
take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross,
giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant
that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share
in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.”

 – Collect for Palm Sunday. Book of Common Prayer, 1979

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REFLECTION

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The sermon I preached (located in the media section) addressed some of the generational gaps in our society and how Christians from different generations interpret Holy Week or Passiontide. In the end, the purpose of Holy is for us, as Christians, to not only celebrate Easter, but to also remember the happiness that was Palm Sunday, the sadness that was Maundy Thursday, and the sorrowful despair that was Good Friday. All too often we skip Holy Week and jump straight to Easter. We sometimes regulate Easter to mean the bunny and eggs. It is to the point where some Christians do not refer to Christ’s rising again as Easter, but rather “Resurrection Sunday.” I find this to be sad.

It is sad because we, as Christians, have allowed someone else to determine who we are. I had a conversation with a Jewish colleague of mine. He is preparing for the Passover Seder this evening. He was lamenting on the attitudes of some of his Jewish congregants. He relayed the following story to me:

I (my buddy) asked him (his colleague) when he travels, because he flies everywhere, does he go into the cockpit and speak to the captain of the plane? He says no. I then say, ‘Oh, you mean you don’t go into the cockpit, look around the area, inspect everything, question the pilot to make sure he know what he is doing?’ He starts looking at me confused. I then say ‘So you assume he know what he’s doing, right? Because he is the pilot? You trust him enough not to ask any questions, but you don’t trust the minister, the priest or the rabbi about matters of God? Matter of fact, you don’t trust God about matters of life? You sit there and say ‘Oh, I need proof, I need to see it for myself’ when it comes to God and matters of God, but you don’t need proof from the captain, who is flying this plane, with your life in him hands?’ This is the problem with all our religions, its man made chaos because man does not want to serve God, they want God to serve them, and what they want. They see God as their servant. They ignore the fact that they have an obligation to serve God.

 

After my buddy finished, I began to think about associates I know who do the same thing. They take God and mold Him to their own instruments. I recently heard a story of a guy (new or rededicated Christian, no denomination specified) telling his friend, that God didn’t call said friend to their current occupation because it wasn’t confirmed by “a pastor”, despite the fact that the friend spoke to me, a priest. The guy did not know the difference or rather similarities between a pastor and a priest. I suspect that the guy just wanted to use his false sense of righteousness to spiritually beat up and bully his friend by telling him that he is less than. This is sickening. This is what is harming the Christian Church.

On the flip-side, we have those Christians who are afraid to stand up and defend the faith because they are afraid of hurting someone’s (usually one who can care less of the faith) feelings. They will downplay the fact that the sins that Christ died for, are the same sins that we commit day in and day out. They will not address the fact that we are no better than St. Peter, who denied Christ three times. All of this will be negated because of the fear of being called judgmental by someone who has their own agenda against the church.

During Holy Week, I urge you to fight the temptation to use God as your personal instrument of destruction. I know it may seemed a little far fetched but it is the reality of the situation. During Holy Week, many people who do not attend church throughout the year show up to services, much to the chagrin to the faithful that attend weekly. This can cause a sense of anger and even resentment from the faithful. I urge you to show love to them, especially since they rarely attend church for whatever reason. Show them the same love, that God the Father showed to us this time, over 2000 years ago.

I also urge you to hold steadfast to the faith. Do not condone the ungodly behavior of friends and loved ones, or allow the watering down of scripture just to not appear judgmental. In the end, you are doing them a disservice by allowing them to live a life that is contrary to what God wants.

 – JMH+

Fr. Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818 (13 FEB)

13 Thursday Feb 2014

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Fr. Absalom Jones

Fr. Absalom Jones

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

 – Collect from Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2003

REFLECTION

I first heard of Fr. Jones a few years ago during the beginning stages of my journey on the Canterbury Trail. I began researching the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and read about Bishop Richard Allen. This research then lead me to Fr. Absalom Jones. Fr. Jones’ story is an amazing one. Being born a slave, then obtaining his freedom, earning an income so he can buy his wife’s freedom is an amazing feat.

Fr. Jones, along with Bishop Allen were initially Methodist ministers in Pennsylvania at St. George’s Methodist Church. When I visited the church, the following story was relayed to me:

The church was segregated. Allen and Jones were the pastors of the Black congregation and held services at a different time slot. If there was a joint service between the Black and White congregations, the Blacks would sit in the balcony. One day, while the church was empty except for the church secretary, Jones and Allen both walked down the isle and prayed at the altar. The content of their prayer is speculated but some suggest that it was due to the racism that they were facing at that time and their next steps as clergy caring for the flock entrusted to them. In the midst of their prayer, the church secretary came running down the isle demanding them not to pray at the altar and “ordering” them never to to do, even if the church is empty. That was the end of both Jones’ and Allen’s affiliation with the Methodist Church.

I’m not sure how true this account is. I’m inclined to believe it more so due to the source, a Philadelphian church historian. Regardless, the rest is history. Richard Allen went on to establish the AME Church. Fr. Absalom Jones went on to find the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. Afterwards, he and his congregation join the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States (The Episcopal Church). St. Thomas was the first Black church in Philedelphia.

Fr. Jones is an inspiration to many Black priests, ministers, and elders. A new colleague of mine who is Episcopalian (and preached a really good sermon on Fr. Jones last Sunday night) and I may have differences of theological opinion, but the one thing we do agree on, is the place of Fr. Jones in the history of Black clergy. Fr. Jones should be a inspiration to all clergy for his resolve, his determination, his desire for unity, and his steadfast faith.

 – Fr. JMH

St. Francis of Assisi; Friar (04 OCT)

04 Friday Oct 2013

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Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 – Collect from Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2003

St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers. Though he was never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.

On July 16, 1228, he was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment, and is one of the two patron saints of Italy (with Catherine of Siena). It is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of October 4. He is also known for his love of the Eucharist,his sorrow during the Stations of the Cross, and for the creation of the Christmas creche or Nativity Scene.

 -From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

REFLECTION

St. Francis is one of the most admired saints in all of Christianity. His love of all of God’s creation (humanity, animals, the environment) is highlighted in many seminaries worldwide. His story of being a rich kid who gave up his wealth to be in service to others is highly admired. As many people who love St. Francis, many find it difficult to actually live as he did. His sacrifice was much more than living in poverty. It was the teaching of the faith, the loving of the “least of these.”

Upon my priestly travels, the religious order that I interact with the most are the Franciscans (used to be the Jesuits). The first Roman Catholic Priest who invited me not only to process with him, but to have a seat in the altar/sanctuary is a Franciscan.  My first priestly confession was with a Franciscan priest. I have a fond admiration for the Franciscans. It is as strong as my admiration for the Jesuits, but its different. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston is Cardinal Sean O’Malley, a Franciscan – Capuchin.

St. Francis was also a strong advocate for helping his fellow brother and sister when it came to developing religious orders. He was very instrumental in the establishing the “Poor Claire’s” with Claire of Assisi as well as helping St Dominic with the establishment of the Orders of Preachers (Dominicans). This sort of Christian collegiality by St. Francis is often overlooked. If we pay attention to it, we can see clearly this value being embodied in our current Pope.

The Inauguration Mass For Pope Francis

Pope Francis I, a Jesuit, does embody many of the qualities of St. Francis. His love of the “least of these” is evident not only in this picture, but in many scenes we have seen since his conclave. The washing of the feet of incarcerated women, praying over babies in large crowds, and blessing those with physical and mental disabilities are just a snapshot of his view of the call to the ministry and the ideals of St. Francis. Like his name sake, he is not quick to judge, but will adhere to sound Christian doctrine and Christian collegiality. It is noted that he and Anglican Bishop Gregory Venables are close friends. He has met with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and with Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (the two have not had the best relationship in the past).

At the end of the day, the most important part of the St. Francis’ legacy his love and care for all of God’s creation. Its that love that drove his preaching, teaching and sacrifice of himself for the work of the Lord.

 – JMH+

St. Alban (22 JUNE)

22 Saturday Jun 2013

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“I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things.”

– St. Alban

St. Alban is noted as the first Christian martyr in Britain in 304. His story is an amazing one. St. Alban was a British soldier. He met a Christian priest and built a strong bond with him. He converted and was baptized by the priest in his home. While Christianity and Christians were being persecuted, the authorities arrived at St. Alban’s house looking for the priest. Alban, disguised himself as the priest and was taken away. The emperor, who was angry at the “bait and switch” made sure Alban was handled as the priest would have been. He was executed shortly after, thus becoming the first Christian martyr in Britain.

REFLECTION

I first read about St. Alban in The Venerable Bede’s
Ecclesiastical History of an English People. His story is in inspiring for all Anglicans and military personnel. Since I am an Anglican Chaplain, I’m doubly blessed and inspired!

St. Alban is often looked at as someone who gave himself up to further the cause of Christianity by sacrificing his life for the life of an Anglican priest. At times, we may be called to make a sacrifice for the cause of Christ. The sacrifice maybe friends, family, popularity, a job, etc. God will inform you of what the sacrifice will be. Sometimes, we as Christians, are so excited to be a “soldier for Christ”, we purposefully place ourselves in danger and call it “God’s will.” That is not God ordained. You will know, without a shadow of a doubt, when God tells you do something. It’s much like the Damascus experience that St. Paul endures. You most certainly will be hesitant for a moment, and then, with extreme humility, accept the call God placed on your life, as did St. Alban.

  • JMH+

St. Aloysius Gonzaga (21 JUNE)

21 Friday Jun 2013

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St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a Jesuit priest who served the infirmed during the Plague of 1591 in Rome. He was born into a wealthy family. His father was a military hero and desired the same for his son. As a child, Gonzaga would teach the equivalent to catechism classes to poor youth. He would fast and pray multiple times a day as a child. Initially, due to his father’s expectations, he trained to become a soldier in the Spanish Army until he contracted a kidney disease. While recuperating, he decided to enter into the priesthood. He learned about the servant nature of the Jesuits and decided to join their order. While a priest and serving the infirmed, he fell victim to the plague and died at the age of 23. He was canonized into sainthood by Pope Benedict XIII in 1723. St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint of youth and teenagers.

REFLECTION

Truth be told, my knowledge of St. Aloysius Gonzaga was quite limited. The first time I heard of Gonzaga was the University named after him in Washington State. It was in 2006 when Adam Morrison and the men’s basketball team made a historic run in the NCAA tournament. Morrison was on the cover of EA Sport’s NCAA March Madness 07. Unfortunately, Morrison’s career seemed to fizzle into obscurity, at least in the United States.

It’s interesting reading about the legacy of St. Aloysius Gonzaga and his dedication to teaching youth. His upbringing would suggest that he could care less about the poor. Instead, the light and call of God pulled him into a different path, different than what his father wanted. He gave up a potentially lucrative military career to teach, preach and care for the sick. Although he died four months after his start at the infirmary, he still served. He knew that there was a strong possibility of dying, but he did it anyway.

Every day I run into people who decided to go against what society wants for them, and serve something bigger than them, God. They leave very profitable jobs to become missionaries. They sacrifice time away from their families in order to train military service members. They risk their lives with the hope of inspiring someone to greatness. This is the spirit of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. It’s the spirit of a saint.

– Fr. JMH

Fr. William Law (10 APR)

10 Wednesday Apr 2013

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“O God, by whose grace thy servant William Law, enkindled with the fire of thy love, became a burning and shining light in thy Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and may ever walk before thee as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.”

 – From Holy Women, Holy Men

“William Law (1686 – 9 April 1761) was an Anglican priest who lost his teaching position at Emmanuel College, Cambridge when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to the first Hanoverian monarch, George I. Law had previously given his allegiance to the House of Stuart and is sometimes considered a second-generation Non-Juror (an earlier generation of nonjurors included Thomas Ken). Thereafter, Law first continued as a simple priest (curate) and when that too became impossible without the required oath, Law taught privately, as well as wrote extensively. His personal integrity, as well as mystic and theological writing greatly influenced the evangelical movement of his day as well as Enlightenment thinkers such as the writer Dr. Samuel Johnson and the historian Edward Gibbon. Law’s spiritual writings remain in print today, anthologized by various denominations, including in the Classics of Western Spirituality series by the Catholic Paulist Press.”

 – From Wikipedia

REFLECTION

Fr. William Law was quite the interesting priest. He functioned at a time in which clergy would align themselves with the political elite who would best fund and or support their rise in ecclesiastical authority. [I guess its not much different now with some clergy] A very learned priest, he was propositioned by the German royal dynasty, the House of Hanover. Holding on to his integrity, he refused the offer. As a result, he was relegated to less than viable way of life.

While a weaker man would have given in, Law stayed true to his convictions and wrote countless manuscripts which upset some, yet empowered many. In the end, Law viewed the nature of the priesthood as something bigger than himself and his livelihood. He viewed it, and the education he obtained as something that needed to be shared and distributed, no matter the cost.

I, at times, must remind myself that all the education I have, and continue to obtain, means nothing if its not benefiting someone in their journey to Christ. This is the reason why I began this blog in the first place. When I was a Baptist Minister, I felt very distant from the saints, martyrs and heroes of Christianity. It is my hope that the brief synopsis (from Wikipedia and other sources) and my reflections can help someone grow in their journey with and to God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost.

 – JMH+

Rev. Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (9 APR)

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

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Bonhoeffer

“Gracious God, the Beyond in the midst of our life, you gave grace to your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer to know and to teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and to bear the cost of following him; Grant that we, strengthened by his teaching and example, may receive your word and embrace its call with an undivided heart; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

 – From Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2003

“Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4 February 1906 – 9 April 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, dissident anti-Nazi and founding member of the Confessing Church. His writings on Christianity’s role in the secular world have become widely influential, and many have labelled his book The Cost of Discipleship a modern classic. Apart from his theological writings, Bonhoeffer became known for his staunch resistance to the Nazi dictatorship. He strongly opposed Hitler’s euthanasia program and genocidal persecution of the Jews. He was also involved in plans by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was arrested in April 1943 by the Gestapo and executed by hanging in April 1945 while imprisoned at a Nazi concentration camp, just 23 days before the German surrender.”

 – From Wikipedia

REFLECTION

 My first interaction with the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer was of course, in seminary. The course was Christian Social Ethics. We were assigned to read his very influential book, Ethics. At some point along the seminary journey, I read another of his great works, The Cost of Discipleship. In reading both of these masterpieces, I learned a very valuable lesson on what it takes to be a clergyman in the midst of mortal danger and social injustice.

As the above description from Wikipedia states, he was a clergyman in Germany during the Nazi regime. A little more background: Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran minister. He graduated from seminary and the University of Berlin at 21 years old, however, he was not old enough to be ordained. In the mean time, he went to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York and was exposed to the Black Church experience. He served at the historical Abyssinian Baptist Church as a Sunday School teacher. Being inspired by a sermon from Adam Clayton Powell Sr., and the connection to the Negro Spirituals, Bonhoeffer decided to return to Germany to help those who were captive. The rest is history.

Bonhoeffer could have remained in Harlem. He was pressured to do so. If he stayed, he would have been one of the most sought after seminary professors and ministers in the United States. He would have cemented his name as a giant in the theological academy. However, he knew that there was more for him. He knew that it wasn’t about him and his legacy, but rather the nation of Germany (his homeland), the persecuted Jewish people, and his example of the love of Christ.

As we continue on our respected journeys, we must keep in mind that the gifts we are given are not ours. We must fight the urge to put our own goals of building a legacy and place God first. If we are truly disciples of God, we will do this.  Bonhoeffer died as a result of doing this. His death was not in vain. It was indeed the cost of discipleship.

 – JMH+

The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 APR)

08 Monday Apr 2013

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annunciation

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 – Collect from the Book of Common Prayer

“The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-39), also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, marking his Incarnation. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning “Saviour”. Many Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March, nine full months before Christmas, the birthday of Jesus. According to Luke 1:26, the Annunciation occurred “in the sixth month” of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John the Baptist.”

– From Wikipedia

REFLECTION

Its a little strange to be celebrating the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary just one week after the celebration of the death and Resurrection of her Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Typically this celebration is on the 25 March, nine months before the birth of Christ, 25 DECEMBER. However, since Easter and Holy Week was early this year, the date is pushed on week to today, 8 APRIL.

In order to fully understand the totality of the situation, we must look at some of the circumstances:

  • The Blessed Virgin was approximately 14-16 years old
  • She is engaged to be married, going through the plans (dowry, changes in family structure, etc.)
  • She is pregnant although she did not sleep with anyone

The Blessed Virgin is being placed in a situation that she will be shamed in front of her friends, family, and community. This would bring dishonor to her fiancee Joseph as well. This is as scandalous then, as it would be now. The difference between then and now is that now, families have the choice of hiding their daughters from the community (sending them to another city, state or country until the birth of the child), or sending them off to receive an abortion. The Blessed Virgin did not have those “options.” If those “options” were made available, I believe she would not have taken them.

220px-Sassoferrato_-_Jungfrun_i_bön

The Blessed Mother needed Divine help, therefore God sent to her, the angel Gabriel to explain the situation, and provide her with comfort. God, in his infinite mercy, then sent an angel to visit St. Joseph, The Blessed Virgin’s fiancee, to explain to him the situation and guide him along the right path.

There are times in our lives that we must reach out to God in order to receive comfort, understanding and instruction. All too often, we try to figure things out ourselves. In doing so, we are digging ourselves into a hole that we can not get out of without Divine assistance. This is my story when I was called to ministry, but instead did a lot of other things. Those things certainly informed me of who I am today, but what if I just listened earlier? Due to the grace and mercy of God, I am here, as an Anglican Priest. He could have easily changed HIS mind. I could have been one of the “many that are called, but NOT chosen.” He chose me, and kept me.

I encourage you to reach out to God, like the Blessed Virgin Mary did. She received insight, comfort, grace and understanding of the situation she was in. Her reaching out should be a model for us to do the same. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

*PHOTO #1: Tanner, Henry Ossawa. The Annunciation. 1898

*PHOTO #2: Salvi, Giovanni Battista .The Virgin In Prayer. 1640-1650

Fredrick Douglass (20 FEB)

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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Fredrick Douglas

Almighty God, whose truth maketh us free: We bless thy Name for the witness of Frederick Douglass, whose impassioned and reasonable speech moved the hearts of a president and a people to a deeper obedience to Christ. Strengthen us also to be outspoken on behalf of those in captivity and tribulation, continuing in the Word of Jesus Christ our Liberator; who with thee and the Holy Spirit dwelleth in glory everlasting. Amen.

– Collect from Holy Women, Holy Men

Fredrick Douglass was born a slave in 1818. Although he, like many slaves at the time, were separated from his family, he learned how to read in secret. At the age of 14, he converted to Christianity via the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.). Finally, at the age of twenty, Douglass escaped from slavery. He cites the spirituals that he sung in the A.M.E. church as his source of inspiration for fleeing, as well as his future career as an abolitionist.

Douglass would speak both in the United States and in England regarding the ills of slavery, and the churches that did not stand up against it. Fredrick Douglass was also a journalist, using the media of writing to address the plight of those enslaved. Douglass died in 1895 from a heart attack.

REFLECTION

Fredrick Douglass was a name that I heard as a child, but did know much about. Many Black heroes fall into this category; Fannie Lou Hamer, Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, Nat Turner and Bessie Coleman to name a few. Many Black children will look confused when hearing these names. There are a multitude of reasons for this. I blame the structure and focus of our societal approach to education. C.S. Lewis points out that we as humans, believe that the small bits and pieces we learn about complex subjects makes us experts in said subjects. So when every February rolls around, we think we understand the totality of the plight of Blacks in the United States because we celebrate the legacy of one man (Rev. Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr.). On the flip-side, many Civil Rights leaders limit the Black experience in the United States to their era alone. We must strive for more.

Fredrick Douglass fought for something more, despite his circumstances. Although he was born into slavery, he was determined to be better. He learned how to read, write and embraced “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family.” After Douglass achieved his goals, he reached back and attempted to help others do the same. Fredrick Douglass’ story inspires me to not only do better, but make sure those in my community/family do better.

– JMH+