From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:24-30
Today we celebrate the feast day of Absalom Jones, the first African American priest (1802) in the Episcopal Church. Not only was he the first but before being ordained he founded The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (1794) in Philadelphia. A month after St. Thomas church opened, the Founders and Trustees published "The Causes and Motives for Establishing St. Thomas's African Church of Philadelphia," saying their intent was "to arise out of the dust and shake ourselves, and throw off that servile fear, that the habit of oppression and bondage trained us up in." Born into slavery in Delaware, he worked tirelessly for the cause of freedom. He was a faithful Christian and fabulous orator; despite the challenges he faced. He and Richard Allen founded the Free African Society after walking out of St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church where they were made to worship in the balcony only. The Rev. Jones and the Syrophoenician woman remind us in this time, that despite the horrors of society and present leadership, God calls up to speak up and stand for justice.
A Litany for the Feast of Absalom Jones
Loving Creator, you have made us in diversity
a rainbow of beauty and wondrous complexity
and you love every piece of your creation.
Lord, help us to speak and live like blessed Absalom Jones.
Some would control others who are different
some would enslave and abuse the stranger
yet you call us all to stand up for justice.
Lord, help us to speak and live like blessed Absalom Jones.
Despite cruel laws and outrageous practices
you are ready to heal and redeem us all
give us strength to rise us for freedom now.
Lord, help us to speak and live like blessed Absalom Jones.
We are often afraid, yet you send us saints
who lead the way in the past with their faithfulness.
Lord, help us to speak and live like blessed Absalom Jones.
We may be weak and worried these days
yet you promise us heaven on earth for our witness.
Lord, help us to speak and live like blessed Absalom Jones.
For you Lord, made us all and love us all
and you will be with us in every righteous struggle.
Lord, help us to speak and live like blessed Absalom Jones. Amen.
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