Day Two: Heavy Hearts
Theme for Monday – Repentance
Broken and shattered.
Hearts were brought to a place of grief and sadness today
in Birmingham, Alabama. Nicknamed “Bombingham”
because of the terrorism that happened in the city, Birmingham
was at the core of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s.
Prior to arriving in Birmingham, the group watched a video
about the tragic killing of four young girls at the 16th Street
Baptist Church. The bomb that went off on that day physically
tore apart not only four little girls and the church, but
it tore at the very heart of the community, our nation and
world. As the video ended, the bus pulled up to 16th Street
Baptist Church itself.
Silence.
At first, it was hard to speak. Each person was either expressionless
from shock or in tears from grief. A guide shared that she
had been present when the church was the town’s headquarters
for Civil Rights. How did they get through it? “We found
strength in one another and strength in the supreme sacrifice
that was made for one another,” she says.
Rev. Jordan from Salem Baptist pointed out
that at the time of the bombing, one of the stained glass
windows near the explosion was an image of Christ. The only
thing on the image that was shattered was the face of Christ.
It looked purposefully removed. The remainder of the image
was intact. He pointed out the symbolism that “the entire
body of Christ remained.” Although Jesus died and is
in heaven, He left His body, the Church, in the world to continue
on.
Why?
Across the street is Kelly Ingram Park and the Civil Rights
Institute. Displays and exhibits at both locations raise the
question – why?
Why would people display racism and hatred
to such a degree that destroys human lives and families? Why
did local authorities participate? Why didn’t the federal
government intercede sooner? Why did God allow this tragedy?
Why were people treated with such disrespect? Why didn’t
I know about this? Why wasn’t I involved when I could
have been? Why haven’t I done more to acknowledge racism
in our society? Why haven’t I acknowledged racism in
my heart? Why do I feel such guilt and shame? Why don’t
I even feel more anger? The “whys" go on and on.
Repentance is the Justice Journey theme for today.
And we do repent.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according
to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and
cleanse me from my sin.” -Psalm 51:1-2
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