No man is a star in his own home. On the outside, he may be a world renown singer, a movie star, a sports hero, a favored politician or a giant of industry, but in the home, he is just a guy who wastes food on his shirt, a guy who holds up the bathroom and a guy who snores when he sleeps. He is just father, husband or son. It is said that “familiarity breeds contempt”. That it too strong a statement, but familiarity does tarnish the bloom on the rose. In being around certain people on a regularly basis, we sometimes take for granted their gifts. We sometimes forget what they are, and who they are. Examples of this are Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. One, Rev. Wright is a giant, whose contributions to the knowledge and understanding of the world is legendary. The other, Rev. Moss is on that same road, making contributions on a daily basis. Trinity United Church of Christ, located on Chicago’s South Side, focus on Liberation Theology. Its slogan, Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian, is unequaled. When Rev. Wright had the sign put our front calling for South Africa to be freed, he was years ahead of the times. When he came out against homophobia some denounced him. When he took position after position, challenging US policy at home and abroad, he was attacked, but he was steadfast in his belief and never backed down. Thru the years, some church members left because they couldn’t take the pressure, and/or failed to understand that Rev. Wright was doing what God is calling upon us to do. Today, Rev. Wright is revered all over the globe. Many groups and individuals seek out his counsel and his message. If he wanted to, he could command five and six figure fees for his lecture series. But, being “real child of God”, Rev. Wright is content to share his gifts with the people who need them most. Tho he has a lot of “style”, he counterbalances it with “substance”. Whenever he returns to Trinity, there is an overflowing crowd. People come from all over the city to hear him preach, but in watching those around me, I wonder if they really understand what we have in Rev. Wright. I wonder if they realize that we are witnesses to living history? I wonder if those listening to Rev. Wright realize that while listening to his call, we failed to heed his call? We welcomed the entertainment, but we did not become educated and failed to become motivated to act. I wonder if these same individuals realize that with Rev. Moss, we have a second chance? God is giving us another chance to get it right (Wright). God has again placed a “prophet in our midst” and it seems as though many are taking him for granted. He gives fiery sermons and is entertaining, but that should not overshadow his works. When I see the vision of a “Green Roof”; sacrificing his church anniversary for a “Party With a Purpose”; attempting to make ours a “Debt Free Congregation” with the 10-10-80 concept; I wonder if we “get it”? When I see the emphasis on revering our elders and nourishing the youth, I ask myself “are we getting what Rev. Moss is giving us?” When I see every effort made to keep our “Africanism in our Christanity” I wonder again, “are we getting this?” Rev. Moss reminds us over and over again, that he wishes to be “hidden behind the empty cross”, so that God’s message can come thru. He is just a man, like the rest of us, but have we become so enamored with his style that we are missing the substance of the message. Do we realize what we have and how fortunate we are to be in this time? Hopefully, unlike Martin, Malcolm, Medgar, Michael Jackson, and so many others – hopefully we don’t have to wait until they are gone, before we recognize their value (and their greatness). I, for one, treasure those opportunities I have to listen to Rev. Wright and I marvel at the vision of Rev. Moss.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 20:48:39 +0000
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