SAN DIEGO — The African American Catholic experience has much to teach the whole Church, Bishop Michael Pham told those gathered for the diocese’s annual Juneteenth Mass.
“In times of suffering, their faith endured. In time of persecution, communities continued to gather in prayer and praise,” the bishop said. “Through family life, preaching, music, service, and steadfast trust in God, generations proclaimed that God remains faithful to his promises.”
The bishop celebrated the Mass on June 21 at St. Rita Church to commemorate the day in 1865 that the last enslaved people were freed in Texas, more than two years after the nation officially ended slavery. The African American Catholic community organized the celebration, and the Christ the King Gospel Choir provided the joyous accompaniment.
“Juneteenth reminds us that freedom proclaimed and freedom experienced are not always the same,” the bishop said in his homily.
“Is this not also true in our spiritual lives? Through Christ, we have been set free from sin and death. Through our baptism, we have been made sisters and brothers in Christ. We have been given a dignity that no one can take away.
“Yet many people continue to live burdened by fear, resentments, prejudice, hopelessness, shame, or the belief that they are somehow less worthy of God’s love.”
He said the day’s Gospel spoke directly to those fears (Matthew 10:26-33).
“Three times Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid.’ He knew they would face rejection and misunderstanding … yet he reminded them that they were precious in the eyes of God.”
The witness of “our African American sisters and brothers” offers lessons for everyone, the bishop said. He cited the courageous work of icons such Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson, as well as African American faith leaders being advanced for canonization, such as Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, Venerable Mother Mary Lange, and Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman.
The bishop said that unity does not require for everyone’s stories be identical.
“It does not erase painful chapters of history. Rather, it means that we bring our different stories, cultures, struggles, joys and hopes to the foot of the Cross and to the table of the Eucharist.
“At this altar, no one is invisible. At this altar, no one is forgotten. At this altar, we remember who we truly are: beloved brothers and sisters.
“As we remember the significance of Juneteenth, may the Lord free our hearts from fear and strengthen us to be witnesses of hope. The work of healing and reconciliation belongs to all of us. But we do not undertake it alone. God walks with us. And because he walks with us, we can move forward with courage, hope and love.”
