…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.
Romans 5: 4
This Biblical verse was quoted by the Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry in his sermon for Pentecost this past Sunday. I have read this verse before. And every time, I feel a bit of discomfort. There’s the part of me that wishes we could have hope without suffering and endurance.
This last week has been suffering for all of us. Watching a brutal, senseless murder at the hands (or knee, rather) of people we are supposed to trust is both heart and gut-wrenching.
In the Episcopal prayers of baptism, we state that we will respect the dignity of every human being. There are no exclusives to this phrase. Every means every, not the ones who look or act like us. God calls us to be a community of love. Where do we place hatred? In God’s world, hatred has no place.
This time I want more than hope for a better world. I want to take an active part in creating one. I started with conversation. When I was growing up in Jackson, MS, I went to a high school that was 90% black. We walked the halls together. We had lockers side by side. We sang together in the chorus. We worked together on the yearbook. But, never did I socialize outside of school with an African American classmate.
On Tuesday, I reached out to my friend who is the executive director of our church’s mission, Solomon House. We sat in the courtyard and talked for an hour or so. She offered many insights, but the thing I remember most is her admonishment, “I need my white friends to stop feeling guilty about being white.”
I will move beyond this guilt and do more than hope for a change. I will find ways to be a part of the solution. There will be a peaceful protest in New Iberia on Saturday. I’ll be there.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love that verse. You’re right – that isn’t how we like to think of hope developing, but that’s what it says! I love what you’re going to do with your hope, too! Great post! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I read this earlier and had to go have a think. I feel something…an earnestness about wanting to do something, help, be a positive force for change. I never thought about it as being guilt. But, I did have a time when a person told me, “Linda, you’re white. You can’t help that.” I think was a similar statement. I think it’s time for me to begin talking to other white people about the work that needs doing. It’s very scary for me. And, I think more difficult, in a way. Thanks for this post.
“I need my white friends to stop feeling guilty about being white.”I think that’s a vitally important truth, Margaret; I am glad your director said it and that you shared it. We are not going to help affect change for the better – for us ALL – if we are paralyzed by a sense of guilt.It is a time when courage is most needed – and grace, and love – for real healing to begin. And I have hope that it can – it just needs hands and feet to make it happen. Thank you for this post, Margaret.
Courage, grace, and love… yes.
Margaret: Thanks for your post. I appreciate your struggle to find how to go forward. I often feel the same. Our family has people of several colors, and although there were some difficult times in the beginning, we have come a long way. Finding ways to love one another, one by one, may be be the best we can do.
Margaret, your call to action is commendable. I hope the event will become a peaceful source for changing in your community. In one of the towns 15 minutes away from me a supposed peaceful protest turned into a divided conflict. Via Twitter, I saw videos of people saying go away-take yourselves west (meaning go to the town next door that is predominately filled with African American and Latino families (a place I taught in for 20 years). It made me so sad to open Twitter and see the hashtag #Merrick and watch the videos of people exhibiting bigotry and racism. Life is full of conflict now. Hope is needed.
This is a powerful post, Margaret. I, too, have been pondering the work that I have to do to be part of the solution. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here.