Church Folk - Michele Andrea Bowen [18]
Then he delivered the punch: "But more importantly, we are fighting hard in this country for the right to be equal to everybody else in America. And since this fight is important enough for some of our bravest soldiers of the cross to die for, we need to deal with how we act at home. Before we go out to combat the evils of racism, fight the evils of segregation, refuse to yield to the evils of the Klan, wage war against the evils of poverty, and engage in all-out battle against the evils heaped upon us just for being a Negro in America, we need to get right at home.
"Church, I'm sick of the injustices we Negroes heap on one another—especially what we Negro men can do to our own women. We run around this country screaming and hollering for all the world to hear that we're men. Then we come home all puffed up with manly pride and take away the very rights we are demanding for ourselves from our own Negro women and children. Now, church, that's not right. In fact, it's downright ugly. You all hearing me?"
"Yes, Reverend. We hear you," Rev. James said. Encouraged by the chorus of yeses that followed, Theophilus continued: "Have you ever thought, gentlemen, that being a husband means honoring that sweet brown woman you say you love so much? Why not serve that woman who serves you, quiets your stormy passions, and then will endure labor for sixteen hours or more, just so you can walk around this town proud, showing off that new baby boy or girl you helped make to all of your relatives and friends?"
An older woman sitting in the back of the church with five of her grandchildren stood up, raised her hands, and said, "Yes, Lawd. Son, you keep on telling these here mens the truth. I done birthed thirteen babies and I knows what you talkin' 'bout. Part of the life of this here church done come from my loins. Jesus, Sweet Jesus. I done give soldiers to this here war for Negro rights. Yes, Lawd!"
"Thank you, ma'am. I think you have summed up what I've been struggling hard to say all morning. Look here, these beautiful women sitting in this church have sacrificed so much so that we men can be conceived, born, grow, live, prosper, be loved, get love, and it's time that we gave something back. It's time that we built them up so that our children can flourish and become powerful soldiers in God's army for justice and righteousness."
Theophilus put his hand on the railing and pushed himself upright. He then walked out into the center aisle of the church. Opening his hands to the very attentive congregation, he delivered a quick conclusion, to leave his audience still in the grip of his ideas.
"You know, church, Jesus ate, slept, laughed, cried, played, and even got mad enough to fight. He meant for you to respect and honor those things that make up your life on this earth. And that includes the way you love one another. Jesus intended for us to put some juice in our daily lives. He intended for love to be respectful, pure, rich, passionate, intoxicating—to have some juice. So on this Missions Day Sunday, I ask you all to put some juice in your lives by loving one another in the way the Lord intended you to—as cherished and honored partners in this life on our God's earth."
Theophilus turned back toward the pulpit and sat down. Rev. James leaned over and tapped him on the shoulder, whispering, "Son, your heart sure was being tugged on by the Lord this morning, wasn't it? No matter how hard you fought, He made you say what Mount Nebo and you needed to hear."
Theophilus sighed with relief and reached over to shake Rev. James's outstretched hand. The last thing