John Lewis showed us how to live and walk with and for God.  America lost one of the giants of the Civil Rights movement when Congressman John Lewis of Georgia died.  He devoted his life to racial justice and equality.

As a young activist in March 1965, Lewis led 600 people across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to demonstrate peacefully for the right to vote for Blacks – but the marchers were attached by state troopers who launched tear gas into the crowd and beat them with night sticks. Lewis, who was 25 at the time, nearly died that day, suffering a fractured skull after he was beaten by a police officer.

    

Fifty-five years later, the young activist now a congressman, remembered Selma’s “Bloody Sunday”: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” 

Congressman Lewis shared some final thoughts with us, “While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity….

If we are to survive as one unified nation, we must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best, shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain.”

May John Lewis’ soul rest in peace, thank you for shining your light on our path.

The prophet Jeremiah challenges us to realize our own call to be prophets in the spirit of John Lewis: with the perseverance of Jeremiah and the optimism of Jesus, may we be “prophets” in our own words and witness to the love of God dwelling in our own homes and communities. [Connections, July 2020]

Listen to Amazing Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdSAhRH7M8Q

May God Be Praised!

I ask you to join me and cry out from the depths of your heart to the Lord who hears us.  “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143] God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic].

Provide strength to the first responders and medical personnel.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give each of us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]