As I reflected on today’s readings a theme called to my
heart and in my research, I stumbled upon on what some would say is a forgotten
piece of history. In 1997 President Bill
Clinton announced he would lead the country in a "national conversation on
race." It would be the first in
almost 30 years. At the time the nation
was in a good place, the president’s approval rating was high, the economy
strong there was positive housing ratings. This initiative was going to be the
legacy for which President Clinton was to be remembered. Unfortunately, the initiative was greeted
with skepticism and questions: Who would be included in such a conversation? What would be discussed? Ultimately, what could be accomplished? Even after the president’s artfully conducted
town hall meeting, the answers remain elusive.
He used a therapeutic model of group dynamics to underlie
the initiative. The group was supposed
to be getting long-hidden fears, resentments, and frustrations out in the open.
"Be blunt," the president
instructed his audience. Yet, absent a
relationship of trust having been established and without the privacy to ensure
one’s unguarded comments wouldn’t be taken out of context, this was a vain
aspiration. A nation cannot talk like a family, no matter how earnest and
articulate its political leaders might be.[1]
A relationship of trust.
This was my first thought as I reflected on the first reading and oh, if
it was only this easy. Elijah, sent to a
widow in a dire situation, says, “Do not be afraid … For the Lord, the God of
Israel, says,” (1 Kg 17:13-14) everything is going to be alright. Her obedience and trust are rewarded.
St. Ephrem’s, who’s memorial we celebrate today, works
reflect deep insight and knowledge of the Scriptures. In writing about the mysteries of humanity’s
redemption, Ephrem reveals a realistic and humanly sympathetic spirit and a
great devotion to the humanity of Jesus.
He writes, "I have chanced upon weeds, my brothers, that wear the
color of wheat, to choke the good seed." ~St. Eprhaim
The challenge to having a national conversation on race,
seems to be it gets clouded by the abuse of authority, use of trigger words and
finger pointing, competing victimization, or other emotional attachments (i.e.
patriotism & riots) and the fear of needing to make a personal sacrifice. There is a sacrifice to standing up for
justice and right, “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may
see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:16) As Christians
we are called to enter the conversation as Jesus would, boldly knowing and
trusting our just, compassionate, merciful, and loving Heavenly Father.
Sr. Thea Bowman was a fiercely strong black woman who fought through breast cancer to be a witness, sharing her boundless love for God. Before she died in 1990, she wrote: “We unite ourselves with Christ’s redemptive work when we reconcile, when we make peace, when we share the good news that God is in our lives, when we reflect to our brothers and sisters God’s healing, God’s forgiveness, God’s unconditional love.”
[1] The Washington Post “Why Talk About
Race: Welfare and Crime Demand More Than Feel-Good Chat” by Glenn C. Loury. December 7, 1997.
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