Unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong – February 20

Today’s Readings: The Witness of Frederick Douglass - Isaiah 32:11-18; Psalm 35:23-28; Hebrews 2:10-13; Luke 4:14-21

It is Black History Month. This U.S. observance began in February 1926 and was given a week, honoring both Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12, 1809) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (approximately February 14, 1818). Fifty years later, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the year-long celebration of the bicentennial of the United States of America.

This observance is on my mind, as my son is doing a school project that coincides with Black History Month to highlight a Black person of influence in our nation. While Robinson hoped to research about his personal favorite, Jackie Robinson, he was assigned another Black baseball player – Satchel Paige. From Alabama, Paige is noted as the first baseball player from the Negro leagues who also made it into a World Series (1948).

Paige and others people of color would not have the voice they had without the advocacy and faithful witness of social reformer and minister Frederick Douglass. Douglass was born a slave in Maryland and escaped slavery in 1838. He penned his autobiography and published it when he was 28 years old. He had the gift of a comprehensive education and was a lifelong learner. Douglass advocated that others needed access to education to improve their lives. He supported many who were vulnerable. With a strong voice for the abolition of slavery, fair treatment of soldiers, respect for Native Americans, and suffrage for Blacks and for women, he was noted as saying often, “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

Today is the day Frederick Douglass died in 1895, and the Episcopal Church names him among the faithful remembered in the church calendar. The gospel reading appointed is Luke 4:14-21, in which Jesus embarks on ministry after his baptism and retreat in the wilderness for 40 days. Brimming with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus teaches in the synagogue, reading the words of Isaiah the prophet: “‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Douglass, as a minister in God’s church and as a devoted follower of Christ, lived into this gospel truth. He proclaimed release to those who were captive to sin and to the sin of slavery. He spoke to open the eyes of those who refused to see the injustice embraced in the fabric of our country. He worked to open gates so that those oppressed could be liberated.

I give thanks for the witness of Frederick Douglass – and may the understanding of his works inspire us to pave the way for others to know freedom and peace in this life and in the eternal hope of Jesus.

With God’s help,

Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

Sit with the concept of social justice. Spend a few moments reflecting on where you feel challenged and inspired – and where your faith calls you to understand justice. Journal about how you see God’s divine justice showing up in your life. Where is Jesus being revealed to you in this? What is your calling in this space today?