Saturday, February 1, was the beginning of Black History Month. Last Sunday, I presided at a beautiful liturgy honoring African American Heritage at the Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy worship site. I would like to share the homily I preached that day.

“WE shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some day, Oh deep in my heart, I do believe we shall overcome some day!” This sung refrain was used by slaves to sustain themselves in their times of trial as it offered a message of hope and perseverance. We also know it became the anthem of the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 60’s. This refrain popped into my head one-day last week when I opened the newspaper and saw the headline, Fear, Confusion and Chaos. These words and feelings are once again beginning to permeate our society and country. The refrain “we shall overcome” reminds me of the courage, comfort, hope and perseverance we need today as we continue to confront prejudice, hate and the ongoing fight for equal rights.

This month when we celebrate African American Heritage, the refrain “we shall overcome” reminds us that this is a time to recall and honor the resilience, faith, and creativity of a people who have borne witness to God’s enduring presence - often in the face of unimaginable trials. We celebrate the rich heritage and profound contributions of the African American culture to the life of our church and the world. The scripture readings heard today on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord remind us Jesus was presented in the temple as a light to all nations. In faith, we continue to believe that Jesus is the light of the world. By following Jesus, we are led to live with open minds and hearts to bear the light of love and hope in every situation and to all we encounter.

The light of God’s promise of love and hope (a promise focused on freedom, justice and restoration), is embodied in the history and legacy of African Americans’ faith in their struggle for justice and liberation. The journey from slavery to freedom, from Jim Crow to civil rights, from systematic exclusion to rightful inclusion has been marked by unimaginable pain but unwavering hope. These are more than just historical facts. It is a deeper spiritual truth. Jesus shines a light on our redemption but also on the crosses in life we must bear. Before we can continue the fight for equal rights, we must ask ourselves what impurities in us we need to let go of - that is, anything that separates us from each other and from God. (This is important to think about as our parishes are united and the work of unification and spiritual renewal challenges us.)

The African American Heritage we honor today reminds us that God’s spirit, Jesus who is the eternal Christ we are following, is the Christ of right now. That spirit continues to move through those who still dare to proclaim, amidst the injustices we still see today, we shall overcome!

Brothers and sister in faith, we don’t just honor the past, but most importantly, we commit to the work that remains before us. There is inequality in education, healthcare and housing. Today, many of the rights folks have struggled for are being threatened to be taken away. The work of justice is ongoing. As we listen to the wisdom of the past and hear again the call to live with courage and conviction, let us work together for a better future.

Maya Angelou once wrote, "People may forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." As we go forward, we do so as messengers of hope, helping others feel the resilience of our African American brothers and sisters. Let us help each other feel the resilience that comes from staying rooted in the unshakable belief that God’s desire for justice for all will prevail! Together, with God’s help, we shall overcome!

A blessed African American Heritage Month to those who bring a beautiful diversity to our communities.

With you a Christian. For you a priest.

Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish