SojoMail - The search for holy ground in America

‘Take My Ashes to 55th and Lake Shore Drive’ Frank A. Thomas In the days following the Fourth of July, we’re reading the following essay by Frank A. Thomas from the latest issue of Sojourners magazine. Thomas writes beautifully about a father, a son, and a search for holy ground: My dad had a very mixed relationship with America. Based in his experience of and feelings concerning white supremacy in America, I was never sure he loved America and knew with certainty that he hesitated to call it “home.” America was never holy ground for him. On Jan. 6, 2021, while I was watching the Capitol insurrection on TV, he died in his hospice bed. My screen view of the Capitol mob’s recitation of “hang Mike Pence,” in rhythmic incantation to bring forth the blood-boiling hate, was reminiscent of the ritualistic lynching of thousands from 1870 to 1940, particularly and almost exclusively African Americans. I also had a screen view of my dad. Given the threat posed by COVID-19 exposure upon his chemotherapy-treated and compromised immune system, we were not able to visit him as we would have liked. My sister had installed a camera system to get a visual. I noticed that he was not moving. I earnestly studied his lack of motion and noticed that his mouth was wide open. This was the death posture. I instantly knew he was gone. Trying to come to grips with the death of my father, while staring with glazed-over eyes at the Capitol riot, I said to myself: “The insurrection took my dad out of here. He had enough of white supremacy in America.” During the chaos of the insurgency, my dad became an ancestor. In the stark reality of his death, I realized he had been in search of holy ground for a long time. READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward Share

ADVERTISEMENT

Our Latest Church Trades Lawn for Garden to Help Fight Drought (by Logan Crews, Episcopal News Service) “The renovation of our gardens has undoubtedly deepened the connection between our congregation and broader initiatives to raise climate awareness and resilience.” In ‘Asteroid City,’ Spiritual Longing Takes Center Stage (by Joe George) In Wes Anderson's latest film, characters struggle to give meaning to the beautiful nothing that is their lives. ‘Past Lives’: Love at the Crossroads of Fate and Free Will (by Zachary Lee) The new film from Celine Song portrays the rarest of love triangles. When Christian News Falls Into the Trap of ‘Impartiality’ (by Curtis Yee) The Pour Over magnifies the vices of the mainstream press by framing its own view of objectivity as in line with the divine.

ADVERTISEMENT

From the Magazine Embracing Embodiment with Julian of Norwich (by Sarah James) The mystic anchoress who envisioned human wholeness.

ADVERTISEMENTS

Sojourners community subscriptions now available!   Explore current issues of faith, social justice, politics, and culture with your community. Sojourners offers commentary and feature articles that are sure to spark great conversation. Sojourners magazine is great for Bible studies or small groups and is the perfect way to introduce your congregation to social justice issues.  Shop Our Recommended Reads Wondering what to read next? Visit our Bookshop page to find new, noteworthy, and recently reviewed books, our anti-racism reading list, and more – all in one place! Purchasing through Bookshop supports Sojourners and local bookstores.

DONATE   SUBSCRIBE

Copyright © 2023 Sojourners, All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842