Last Sunday, I was invited by Trinity United Church of Christ to come and preach on the topic of race.
I agreed to do so because of my love for Trinity, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Rev. Otis Moss, III and because all my life I have sought to deal with the reality of racism. As I said, Last Sunday, I have committed myself to tear down the walls that divide us wherever they stand.
In 1966, as a junior in high school, amidst all the hate and meanness that surrounded me in Marquette Park, I heard more than the voice of Dr. king calling for community over chaos. I heard that small voice from within, that said, I am showing you this now, because you must spend your life trying to eradicate this.
The last few days have been the most painful days of my life, even more so than the murder of Jarvis, my foster son.
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It is also grieving to me when a 1.5 minute “Youtube” video becomes the headlines across the world of papers and news stations, while the tragedy and death of earthquakes, cyclones, and tornadoes that have taken lives of people around this world, while the killing of our children across the country and here in Chicago, and the easy access to guns have become stories on page 18 and 19, and while people are at my front door, looking for food to eat or gas to get to work, indeed that grieves me.
Brothers and sisters, racism is an explosive and sensitive sin in our world and it is against the command to love, and against the God of love.
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I am neither a racist nor a sexist. I am constrained by this great Gospel that I have been called to preach, to be an agent of reconciliation, as well as a truth teller.
However - we must, if we are to move forward and become who God has called us to be as a human family, we must be willing to have an honest and open discussion on race and justice, and it must be on the equal ground at the foot of Calvary.
We have as a Country done many great things, but we will never become a great Country until justice flows like a river and righteousness like a mighty stream, for each and every human life.
As for what is next, I ask that you wrap me in prayer - I don’t know.
I ask that you pray, that I still might be a voice of truth, in season and out of season, and that I might have the courage to bear whatever wounds that may cost.
As for my defining - Dr. King, my mentor said, that he only wanted to be remembered as a Drum Major for Justice and indeed that is my only hope, and that is what I have tried to do since that afternoon in Marquette Park.
Hate me if you will. Hate my imperfect presentation. Hate my imperfect dramatization. Hate my imperfect articulation. I have never presumed to be anything, but imperfect, but I pray I can still beat the drum of justice, even if sometimes I am off beat.
Thank you.
Statement of apology to the church family.
Rev. Michael L. Pfleger
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