Pigs or heroes?
James H. Cone (1938-2018), Washington Post, 2018
I am in awe of Black Christian faith. I am challenged by it. We all should be.
Black people were, for the most part, handed Christianity by their owners, and the intent was to keep them subject, keep them quiet, keep them peaceful. God’s intent was the exact opposite, and God’s grace worked and guided, inspired and encouraged, and out of the holocaust of slavery came word, song, belief, and actions that cannot and will not be silenced, thwarted, or upended.
Thank God.
We have this Christianity in our hands. This same God is working, guiding, inspiring, and encouraging.
French novelist Leon Bloy wrote: “Any Christian who is not a hero is a pig.”
Black theologian James H. Cone wrote: “The willingness to die for human dignity is not novel. Indeed, it stands at the heart of Christianity.”
Suffering goes in two directions. Anger and fear is one. Its language is ridicule, blame, division, and violence. It is fed by lies. This direction diminishes human dignity. This is the direction that justifies slavery and genocide. It is the direction in which evil thrives and hides so very well. It is on full display in the most hallowed halls of our nation.
God takes suffering and brings from it incredible beauty, strength, resolve, and wonder. James Cone knew this. Sojourner Truth knew this. Harriet Tubman knew this. We all know this. It is written within us (cf Genesis 1:27). We have no excuse but to be heroes.
Reflection
How can you be heroic, how can you honor human dignity, how can you heed the image of God within you today, in your thoughts, in your words, in your actions?
Prayer
Dear God, if I am allowing the lie to go unchallenged, if I am filling my mind with divisive rhetoric, if I am allowing fear to dictate my decisions and actions, I am not allowing your grace to do within me what your love and mercy wants it to do. Encourage me, Lord. May I be heroic in my small circle. May I be open to what your grace within me can actually bring about! Amen.