Prophetesses

"In the past God spoke to our fore[parents] through the prophets at many times and in various ways…"

Hebrews 1.1(NIV)

For several months now, a national black radio station has played a particular reggae song that has achieved extraordinary success. "Welcome to Jamrock" by Damian Marley has become a national, if not international anthem for my country, Jamaica . Hailed in the local press, as the cultural hard-core successor to his father, his musical video has all the lyrical and rhythmical richness that has transformed it from a mere tune to a recording phenomenon. Filmed in the ghettos of Kingston , amongst the squalor of poor urban living, it depicts those living in cardboard and discarded zinc houses in a garbage strew environment, lacking the basic amenities of life. Communities I was very familiar with, as an employee of the Ministry of Youth and Community Development in the 90s. As with most successful endeavours, reactions have been intense and controversial. One of Jamaica ’s leading commentators made the following observations.

"Welcome to Jamrock has sparked controversy in some circles because it conflicts crudely and disconcertingly with the sanitized, Madison Avenue- packaged Paradise which has been marketed abroad…Marley plays the classic role of the prophet who disturbs, afflicts and tortures the comforted with pictures and images not in concert with the vision of the ruling class. It lives up well to its genre of protest music, jolting the complacent who would soon forget the other Jamaica ".. this "cultural prophet…like the young Jeremiah, burst(s) on the scene to afflict the comforted and to taunt the mainstream with the ugly subterranean realities…Every Christian, every pastor, every religious and social activist should applaud this song". The motif of the prophet is a very powerful image in Jamaica - Joshua with his rod of correction is a case in point. This religious imagery is interwoven into our culture; our artistic and socio-political life is steeped in scriptural symbolism and therefore, at many levels of our life, affords a great affirmation of faith.

Last Sunday, I attended two services were I was reminded of the power of the Prophet. Delores were in town! Billed as a traveling Evangelist with a voice of an Angel, she preached…she sang…she preached…she sang some more…she was truly awesome and a welcome reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit in enabling our contact with other lives, that touch our very souls. She was a poignant reminder of why I am ordained in this church, as one of two people who challenged me (on a spiritual level) to have patience; stay and claim my rightful place. I first met them at the Conference of People of African Descent in Atlanta in 2002. The event itself, was a spiritual eye opener. Never before have I felt such a cohesiveness and a sense of being home. It healed accumulated hurts and provided a focus for continuing my journey of faith, that was timely and transformational.

Our prophets are very important; they are one component of the bedrock of our ongoing experience with God. They are vital as they energise and give us vitality. Matriarchs like Delores and Darlene, are the Prophetesses of our generation. Just as Damian Marley speaks from his location, with authority, so do they. We need experienced voices from the margins: yes as African-Americans in an inclusive church, despite their ascendancy, they are marginalised. Their struggle has enabled people like me, to struggle less. They have paved a way for us to further extend our own pathways, and their example provides spiritual energy to struggle more for equality and justice. Some biblical scholars debate the presence of black people in Scripture. Others have whitewashed us out. Some claim that Egypt , as part of North Africa , was inhabited predominantly by black people in Old Testament times, therefore making people of African descent – the majority. Perhaps Symeon and Lucius are our patriarchs and our prophets too?

But where else, here in the U.K., are ours for today? We must nurture potential others, for the next generation. If not we perish.

"Now in the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God) and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene , Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." - Acts 13.1 (Ampl.)

May the Holy Spirit of God, enable the voices of our prophets/prophetesses to touch you where you need it most.

God’s love flows.

back