It Begins with Love
Dear Friends,
This Sunday when we gather once again for in person worship, we will be celebrating the Feast Day of Absalom Jones, ordained in 1802 as the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church. Disappointed by the racial discrimination of his local church, he and Richard Allen founded the African American Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia in 1794, which included many people newly freed from slavery after the American Revolutionary War.
This is the short story, however. The longer story includes the many years Absalom waited and the many dollars he spent to purchase freedom for his wife and for himself. The longer story includes the postponement of Absalom’s ordination to the priesthood for nearly 10 years as a condition of St. Thomas’ acceptance to the Diocese of Pennsylvania. The longer story includes a stipulation that neither the priest of St. Thomas’ nor the congregation would be permitted to attend the diocesan convention.
So, throughout Absalom Jones’ entire ministry he never knew true and equal acceptance to the community of the Episcopal Church. Even so, he persisted in his ministry as an earnest preacher who denounced slavery and believed in a God who always acted on behalf of the oppressed and distressed. His kind manner and dedication to the pastoral needs of his congregation made him beloved by the community, who he supported with moral uplift, self-empowerment, and a vision of freedom for all people. In all the writings and sermons by Absalom Jones that I’ve ever read, I have never found a sign of defeat or despair, only vision, passion, and respect for the dignity of every human being.
The story of Absalom’s life, the whole story, has made me wonder what mixture of personality, genes, childhood mentors, and grace it takes to persevere they way that he did. Then, this past week, I came across this paragraph in Absalom’s annals, which he wrote in 1862:
“I, Absalom Jones was born in Sussex,” DEL., “on the 6th of November, 1746. I was small, when my master took me from the field to wait and attend on him in the house; and being very fond of learning, I was careful to save the pennies that were given to me by the ladies and gentlemen from time to time. I soon bought myself a primer, and begged to be taught by any body that I found able and willing to give me the least instruction. Soon after this, I was able to purchase a spelling book; for as my money increased, I supplied myself with books, among others, a Testament. For, fondness for books, gave me little or no time for the amusements that took up the leisure hours of my companions. By this course I became singular, and escaped many evils, and also saved my money.”*
After reading this inspiring account, it occurred to me, “it began with love.” Love of learning, love of books, love of the mysteries and treasures of life, love of people, and love of God. And it was this love that led Absalom to embody the way of life we find Jesus describing in our gospel for this Sunday, the kind that gives itself for others.
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
It all begins with love,
Amelie+