JUNETEENTH—June 19th, 2021

On a Texas shore the announcement was made. The Emancipation Proclamation was the news of the day. Yet, it many ways it was just like the day before and reached into the days after. Slavery was now prohibited. The United States of America acted through legislation and the adoption of an act that would free all those who were in slavery. Sadly, it did not happen for all. Not that day. Not this day. Juneteenth, a commemoration of what happened on June 19, 1865, celebrates the freedom many have found. It also remembers those whose freedom has never been realized. And, in this year, it serves as a day to acknowledge that all are not free. It calls those whose participation in racism to claim their evil ways and repent in a way that makes a true difference, for the better, in the life of those who suffer in racism and discrimination. Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom from slavery. But why? There are people still not free. There are people still in slavery. O, it might look different today than it did in 1865. Surely, however, while there are victories to celebrate, there are still many battles to be won. To be clear, our nation was built on the backs of those enslaved. To be honest, our nation continues to gain from the suffering and oppression of others. We are a people of racism. Our nation, by system and strategy, employs racism to keep the under-privileged in poverty, and to make the wealthy more profit. All in its governing, incorporating, industrializing, and religiosity, people of color do not have equal access to the resources and benefits that are afforded only by those who can pay their way. Again, by its governing, incorporating, industrializing, and religiosity, racism runs deep. It runs so deep, in fact, that few will acknowledge this reality, even more will confess their wrong-doing in racist constructs, and still more will celebrate the opportunity to share our true history as a nation. Critical race theory tells it like it was and is, and repentance and reparation will not heal and reconcile until everyone is free. But, how do we get our communities, our congregations, our neighborhoods, our families to be "woke"? It must start in God and continue in God until God's will is done — here and now — as it is in heaven. Yet, let us be certain. God has rescued and redeemed the oppressed, those in slavery, people on the fringes of our world and culture. God, nonetheless, worked the grace of liberty through human instruments. The work is ours to do. We are not alone. God is with us. Still, however, the call goes forth: whom shall I send; whom will speak for me?" Juneteenth is a threshold. A time and place to set ones feet firmly on God's path of liberation. It is a celebration of history that is only celebratory where racism and the oppression of others becomes the common thread that weaves us together into being God’s people. O God, in your compassionate mercy, hear us, hear the voices of the past, heals us, free us, make us whole. Amen. In a world where "Black Lives Matter" needs to be said ... a nation that refuses to accept or honor the dignity of each life, including people of color ... a world that leads us down a path of distraction as "all life matters" we contradict the sacredness of life in Go, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. (Silence) O God, hold us accountable and in forgiveness lead us to life anew. In a nation where people of color are murdered for protesting the original sin of our land or beaten and their life taken for such things that our white sisters and brothers are excused from. Too many are the names of those who have lost their life to policing, white nationalism, and taking a stand for justice. (Silence) O God, hold us accountable and in forgiveness lead us to life anew. In these times of pandemic, when vaccinations are not provided equally or in equity to all people. When the tolls of illness and death are larger and wider among persons of color. Where third-world people and those of developing nations need to depend on countries of means to provide the care needed, but those very countries too often say, no. (Silence) O God, hold us accountable and in forgiveness lead us to life anew. In a place where the death penalty is still enforced. Where life is discounted, and dignity denied. Where those on death row are numbered more so as people of color. Where, after years and even decades, of proving the executed innocence, their voice can only be spoken by those left behind in a lifetime of bereavement and mourning. (Silence) O God, hold us accountable and in forgiveness lead us to life anew. In an encircling history where white male persons have assaulted, oppressed, and raped women, women of color even more so. In government and industry, in education and credentialing, in day-to-day life and being the link in the chain that holds families together, even when the links become the chains of suffering. (Silence) O God, hold us accountable and in forgiveness lead us to life anew. Gracious God, in whom there is no lack of love, no shortage of self-giving, make us to understand the complexity of our world and the ways that injustice is widespread, and violence can never be the answer. Teach us the ways of peace. Teach us to be caring in kindness. Teach us to be humble in blessedness. Teach us how to take what we have and transform it into the instruments of justice that is your Kin-Dom. (Silence) O God, hold us accountable and in forgiveness lead us to life anew. —from The Presbyterian Church (USA) more on the history of Juneteenth is found on their website: https://pres-outlook.org/2019/06/juneteenth-an-american-celebration