LIBERATION LECTIONARY

A Baptism in Blackness

“We must have courage — determination — to go on with the task of becoming free — not only for ourselves, but for the nation and the world — cooperate with each other. Have faith in God and ourselves.” -Rosa Parks

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 3

Key Verses, 7-12. But when he [John] saw many of the religious leaders coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3.7-12

During Black Heritage Month we remember the power of our people. We hold on to the history before our ancestors were trafficked across the Atlantic. We share the songs that keep our mind stayed on freedom. 

This week we celebrate the birthdays of Langston Hughes, Rosa Parks, and Trayvon Martin. Holding mourning space for the bitter tensions which bring the too young ancestor to our minds. He should be celebrating his birthday on this side of glory. He should not be gone. He was taken from us. It has been one month since Tyre Nichols was taken from us. These days it feels that being alive and existing is the most dangerous place to be Black. But God has a message for us. God has a warning for religious leaders whose fruit is rotten with arrogance. A message for land owners who deny indigenous sovereignty. A message for legacy power-seat fillers whose authority is based on a seemingly prophetic name drop. John the Baptizer has a word from the Lord today. There is no heritage beside holy transformation that can save the soul of a nation from destruction by the wrath of its own ego. Jesus is the divine manifestation of low ego, high impact. Read the words he speaks after John hesitates to baptize him. Oh that there will come a day when we do what is right, no matter how it humbles us, no matter how it looks. And what a reward there will be. For the actions of cleansing, readiness and repentance, result in the pride and affirmations of our Creator. 

Blackness, an entire people’s existence, is brilliant yet berated, holy and humbled, and dares people in power to pursue repentance, to do what is right. Black people, we must remember that we are God’s beloved children, in whom they are pleased. This is the message of Black Heritage Month for all who feel disappointed, disaffected and simply done. We need a baptism that splits open the heavens and sends consuming fire to the leaders who stand aside scared or scoffing. May we commit to John’s baptism into the ministry of movement, for Langston and for all our words, for Rosa and for all our organizer, for Trayvon. For our futures.

Meditation & Prayer:

Who But the Lord - Langston Hughes

I looked and I saw That man they call the Law.

He was coming Down the street at me!

I had visions in my head Of being laid out cold and dead,

Or else murdered By the third degree.

I said, O, Lord, if you can, Save me from that man!

Don’t let him make a pulp out of me!

But the Lord he was not quick. The Law raised up his stick

And beat the living hell Out of me!

Now, I do not understand Why God don’t protect a man

From police brutality.

Being poor and black, I’ve no weapon to strike back

So who but the Lord Can protect me? We’ll see.

Music: Fight for You by H. E. R.

All the smoke in the air - Feel the hate when they stare - All the pain that we bear

Oh, you better beware! Their guns don't play fair - All we got is a prayer

It was all in their plans - Wash the blood from your hands

Freedom for my brothers - Freedom 'cause they judge us - Freedom from the others - Freedom from the leaders, they keepin' us - Freedom gon' keep us strong - Freedom if you just hold on - Freedom ain't free at all

I'm gon' see it through - There's no one, there's no one like you - Long as I'm standing, we can never lose - I will always, always fight for you

Mental institution causing so much confusion - Seems the only solution is a new evolution - We can't take it no more - No, it can't be ignored - When they knock on your door, will you be ready for war?

Freedom 'cause they need us - Free from how they see us - Freedom, won't you free us?

Freedom doesn't hang from the trees - Freedom from injustice (injustice) - Freedom from corruption (corruption) - They aiming for destruction. And you know, they gon' see it through

Long as I'm standing, we can never lose.