Readings:
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6
1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Luke 6:17, 20-26
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. However, the current administration in the White House has issued an executive order that no ethnic holidays or special observances related to MLK Jr. Women’s History will be observed by government agencies. In addition to this executive order, there is an executive order to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Unfortunately, many corporations, institutions, etc., have fallen in lockstep with the edict and are reversing their DEI policies to align with the current administration. This reversal is just one of the many nefarious reversals that have taken place in the last three weeks, including an inhumane deportation policy and the dismantling of the USAID office that provides humanitarian aid throughout the world. How sad and discouraging America has become and is not “great.” However, despite this seemingly hopeless situation, we who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are not without hope if we place our trust in God.
In the first reading from Jeremiah, he encourages us to place our trust in God so we can be like the trees planted by the water, deeply rooted, nourished, and flourishing. This passage challenges us to examine where we place our trust in God or man. I must admit that the outcome of the 2024 election is not how I imagined, prayed for, and worked for. In the days following, I had a deep dread about the future of America. I had to draw on my faith and remember who I placed my trust in.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he tells the citizens of Corinth and us that if we don’t wholeheartedly believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith will be in vain. Paul helps us focus on the significance of the resurrection to our Christianity. The grace and mercy extended to us through the resurrection, and Christ conquered death so that we could live our lives to bring the Good News and build the Kingdom of God here on earth. On Easter Sunday, I love proclaiming, “Jesus is Alive!” Jesus is victorious, and so are we who believe.
The Gospel of John picks up on Jeremiah’s challenge to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on worldly wealth, comfort, and approval, or do we trust God? Jesus calls us to live with a kingdom mindset by valuing what God values rather than the world’s. True blessing comes not from outward success but from a life rooted in faith, dependence on God, and trust in God’s promises.
During these dark and challenging times, I remember the song “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (On Christ the Solid Rock).” It is a Christian hymn written by Edward Mote, a pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex. This hymn, which he wrote in 1834, is his best known. The song’s first stanza, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, ” reminds us that even in these tumultuous times and challenges we face in America, we have Hope. The readings on this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time and this song encourage me to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not to my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5). I may not see God’s plan in what’s going on now in the world, but I trust that God has a plan. The song’s refrain, “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” This is the song I am singing during this season.
How do these readings challenge or encourage you in your life right now?
Kimberly M. Lymore, M.Div., D.Min.
Director, Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program
Convener, Black Catholic Theological Symposium