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| ps from ps “Across the South, we’ve had a deep appreciation of history. We just haven’t had a deep appreciation of one another’s history.” – Rev. Clementa Pinckney, pastor of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. On June 17th, 2015, Rev. Pinckney and eight others were gunned down by Dylan Roof at church, after they welcomed Dylan into their Wednesday Bible study.. President Obama quoted Rev. Pinckney in his eulogy at the church a few days after. He was encouraging those who were in attendance, and those who were listening, to work harder at listening to those unlike us and sharing God’s amazing grace with them. I think we could still use the reminder today. As we move through the anniversary of the Emanuel Nine in Charleston yesterday and Juneteenth tomorrow, it’s abundantly important that we don’t just honor and respect our own history or the parts of history we like, but most importantly, we honor the history of others. And it takes grace to do that. This amazing grace could be lived out in many ways this week. Maybe we do like Jesus did and stand with someone on the margins of life? Maybe we learn more about the Emanuel Nine (the 2019 movie on Amazon is VERY good) and remember that Dylan Roof grew up in a Lutheran Church!? Maybe we stop by Freedom Park in Buffalo or the Underground Railroad Museum there or in Niagara Falls and reflect on the journey that so many made to search from freedom…and yet still had to cross the raging Niagara River? Maybe we just pray for healing in ourselves and for an open heart? How can you have a deeper understanding of someone else’s history and journey? How can we live out that amazing grace? . Lord, help me to listen to others’ stories and share your grace Amen (For President Obama’s full 37 minute eulogy/sermon, you can view it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRvBzzR5tdA. It’s a better sermon than I’ve ever preached!) Still in One Peace, ps |
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