March 29, 2023

 

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

 

I am sitting in Rolling Hills cemetery preparing for the graveside service of one of our beloved members as I write. The grounds keepers are preparing the site. Cars are roaming in circles looking for their designated area. The rain is still falling, and outside of here, the necessities of daily life continues. We're less than a week away from Holy Week and life continues. I wonder if this is what it was like during the week before the crucifixion. Preparations for the Passover celebration; packing for the journey to Jerusalem; checking to ensure all the monies needed for offerings and Temple tax were accounted for. An act that would change the world as they knew it was about to take place in their midst while life just continued...as usual.

 

Surely there had been signs. Prophecies given and fulfilled. I know the people were hoping and waiting for divine relief from their daily oppression. Relief was among them and had been for 3 years but life continued...as usual. One of my favorite Old Testament scholars is Dr. Walter Brueggemann. He is probably best known for his book Prophetic Imagination. In the book, he discusses the idea of numbness. Physical numbness is the loss of feeling or sensation in a part of the body. Many who live with diabetes and other systemic illness are familiar with this condition. But there are other kinds of numbness as well, emotional and I believe spiritual. Spiritual numbness is the inability to recognize and respond to the presence and power of God in us or around us. The danger of life while numb is that it produces indifference in us. There is no compassion when numb. There is no empathy when numb. There is no action when numb. Hope is a struggle when numb and victory an impossibility.

 

Brueggemann has suggested that the goal of empire or what he calls royal consciousness is to produce numbness in the people. I wholeheartedly agree. Yet I acknowledge that there are many experiences that can cumulatively produce numbness. Pain and Death; Loss of Health and Vitality; Disappointment and Disinformation. If we are not vigilant and deliberate, the monotony of daily living can produce numbness. The process of centering down is how we penetrate the numbness. We must daily fight against all that comes to desensitize us. Our spiritual lives depend on it.

 

The rain poured profusely as we stood graveside to pay respect to the life of one who sensed God and was never afraid to respond. As the casket was lowered into the ground, the sun broke through the clouds while we sang, "Let the Church Say Amen". It was if we were being reminded, not to give in to the current conditions doing life as usual. Something was happening in our midst. And just then I could hear the loud clapping and the voice of Lathan saying, "You on the line, don't hang up". Rest in Peace Brother Lathan Wilson and thank you for penetrating the numbness every chance you could.

 

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson

Senior Pastor