Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 365

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
We cause no one to stumble in anything,
in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;
on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance...

As the pastor of an African-American church in Louisiana, I became familiar with Juneteenth, and its importance in the American cycle of holidays. Everyone should celebrate the ancestors who arrived in America as slaves; who toiled with everyone else to create a democratic nation, who celebrated our faith in God and our hope for peace, security, and prosperity. 

Too often the contribution of slave labor is dismissed. But if it was forced from men and women without appreciation or a promise of satisfaction, it was nonetheless significant. Visitors to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, for instance, learn about the slave miners who extracted saltpetre for gunpowder used in the War of 1812. 

June 19 is an acceptable time to remember the promises of freedom, dignity, opportunity, and leisure given to all Americans, regardless of their status. We should especially recognize and amend those attitudes and beliefs that frustrate those promises. 

The Christian doctrine of the Incarnation reminds us of two mysteries, but we often think of only the bright, shiny one. We're glad to hear that the Lord God of heaven and earth took on human flesh; and, like every human being, took his place in the complex history of Earth. Unlike the Greek notions of deity, the Jewish LORD of our scriptures was never removed from human life. He could not be a watchmaker god who creates a universe and then forgets about it. An earthling made of stardust, the God-made-man lived, ate, danced, sang, and suffered with us. 

The darker side of the Incarnation tells us that our attitudes and beliefs are also incorporated (or embodied) into the standard operating procedures of government, business, education, religion, and entertainment. Just because we don't talk about certain things doesn't mean they're not there. Failing to remember the slave miners in Kentucky only perpetuates their grievance. Inevitably and necessarily, these attitudes appear in our infrastructure as well; as in whites-only drinking fountains, the Negro Motorist Green Book, and redlining. 

In today's first reading, Saint Paul reminds us that 

...through much endurance,

in afflictions, hardships, constraints,

beatings, imprisonments, riots,

labors, vigils, fasts;

by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness,

in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech,

in the power of God...

...our salvation is effected. It doesn't happen easily, and the process is often not pretty. It's especially difficult to hear of our sins and of the history of our sins. But when those stories are told by the saints who suffered, survived, and still wait on the promise of God's mercy, we're more inspired than dismayed. They are, after all, our people.

As the pastor of an African-American church I was frankly surprised to discover how deeply my congregation loved the Catholic Church and the United States. Somehow, unconsciously, I had expected something else. Many had served with honor and dignity in the armed services and were proud of their contribution.

Bernard A, one of my dearest parishioners, and a Veteran of the Italian campaign, told me of listening to the radio broadcasts of Joe Lewis's triumphs. When America was enthrall of boxing, men would gather in small towns in Louisiana to listen to the radio broadcasts of the fight. The white men stood closer by the radio; the black men stood across the street. When the fight was over the crowd would disperse quietly. The white men were quietly disappointed that their champion had lost again. The black men were silent  -- until they were out of earshot and back in their own neighborhood where they'd hoop and holler their champion's victory. 

Hearing the story fifty year later, I too celebrated the promise of vindication for the oppressed and justice for all. 

Juneteenth belongs to all of us. Let's do it right. 

.