Index - Posting 02 & 09 April 08 Vol: 1.9
Redeem me from human oppression
Psalms 119:134 NRSV
The fortieth anniversary of the assassination of (Rev) Dr Martin Luther King Jr. has received wide coverage over the past few weeks. Coming so soon after the controversy that raged over extracts from Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s sermons, the public demonstration of interest in his mission by noted civic and political figures was illuminating. More so, as criticism voiced by King over his country’s foreign policy in Vietnam for example, mirrored comments by a former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, quoted by Wright in one of his sermons, incorrectly attributed to him and for which he was personally reviled.
Here in the U.K. the Anglicans held a service of commemoration at Westminster Abbey, marking his “death” and Churches Together in England hosted a conference - Keeping the Dream Alive. Media columns included a commentary in the Jamaican press, lamenting the lack of any significant local interest in the event. The author ascribed this “local apathy” to the geographical location of the events that galvanised and therefore founded the Civil Rights Movement as not carrying the same poignancy in the Island. Still across the Atlantic, a U.S. based news conglomerate boldly proclaimed that the black church is shunning King’s prophetic message of non-violence with it’s social justice agenda in preference for personal wealth and spiritual power within the self help agendas of the prosperity doctrines. Bold and sweeping statements that led me to revisit the insightful social and political analyses of King and his mission by the authors Cone and Dyson. I admire the perceptive nature of their understandings of King, theologically and in relation to Malcolm X in the former and the understanding of King’s humanity, in the latter. We continue to learn from these prophets whilst being mindful of their personal shortcomings as human beings, which in no way diminishes their public stature or invalidates their ministries.
In divining the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, Daniel provides an appreciation that many idols do indeed have clay feet. It is naive and unfair to expect perfection from those who inspire us to overcome the many obstacles that oppress, suppress and depress us. Christ, himself refused to be constrained by the acceptance of the controlling label of being perfect in character and behaviour. In exercising our humanity, we learn and grow equally through our strengths and weaknesses. They are integral parts of who we are and of these we should not be ashamed but endeavour to learn through our mistakes and move on. I draw strength from past and present prophets and prophetesses within our diaspora, who serve as constant reminders not to give up but to persevere. But I am also reminded that I too need to give more time to the further development of my personality and character to become a more matured and rounded individual as an adult in Christ. We are no longer children dependent on our parents; they expect us to grow up and so it is with God. I am sure Martin would agree with this prayer for us from one of Paul’s letters.
And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment, So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences, and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach the day of Christ not stumbling nor causing others to stumble. May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness of right standing with God and right doing which come through Jesus Christ the Anointed One, to the honor and praise of God whose glory may be both manifested and recognized. Philippians 1:9-11 Amplified.
May the Holy Spirit of God continue to provide that personal enrichment that fuels our victories.
Rev Caroline Redfearn ©blackpeoplesministries.com 2008