Sermon for February 16, 2025 - The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sermon by the Rev. Sherpard Gwende
Rooted in Hope: A Black History Month Reflection
I bring you warm greetings from the parish Church of St. George, Crescentwood, in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
As we continue in the spirit of Black History Month, our scripture readings this morning call us to examine where we place our trust, who we choose to stand with, and where we find our ultimate hope.
The prophet Jeremiah warns: “Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5)
Throughout history, systems of oppression—slavery, segregation, and racism—have been upheld by those who put their faith in human power rather than in divine justice. We had our own share of these in Zimbabwe, where I was born and bred. While Canada is often seen as a place of refuge, Black people here have also faced exclusion and discrimination.
In Manitoba, early Black settlers arrived in the 19th century, many fleeing violence and segregation in the United States. One example is James Douglas, an early Black resident of Winnipeg who fought for fair employment opportunities. Black railway porters, like those in the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, had to organize for basic rights, as they were underpaid and faced workplace discrimination.
Yet Jeremiah also declares: “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Psalm 1 reinforces this message: “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.” (Psalm 1:3)
Like trees standing strong in adversity, Black communities in Manitoba have built churches, businesses, and advocacy groups that continue to bear fruit.
This brings us to Jesus’ sermon on the plain in Luke’s gospel where he preaches to a crowd that includes the poor, the sick, and the marginalized: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” (Luke 6:20-21)
When I dug deeper, I realised that for Luke, the coming of Christ is good news for the poor (4.18). Unlike Matthew, he does not spiritualize this poverty. The poverty that Luke’s Jesus refers to is straightforwardly material. Luke indubitably echoes the words from Jesus’ Manifesto that he read in the Synagogue a few Sundays days ago, specifically from a Psalm 61 scroll. Jesus was “anointed to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release for the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”.
In the same way, Luke proclaims a blessing on those who endure ‘actual hunger and thirst’ rather than a hunger for righteousness (Luke 6.21; Matthew 5.6).
Jesus’ words turn the world’s values upside down. Those whom society dismisses—those who are poor, hungry, and grieving—are at the center of God’s kingdom. This is a profound message in the context of Black history in Canada.
Black Winnipeggers have long fought against economic exclusion. Some of you can remember that In the 1960s and 70s, Foluke Taylor, a community leader, worked to improve housing and employment opportunities for Black families. More recently, organizations like Black History Manitoba and the Congress of Black Women of Manitoba have advocated for better access to education and jobs.
Yet Jesus also issues a warning: “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24)
This is a challenge to those who benefit from systems of privilege and oppression. As a Church, we must ask ourselves: Are we standing with the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized? Are we actively working against racism and discrimination?
Paul reminds us that faith is not in vain: “If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)
The struggle for justice is not just about endurance—it is about resurrection. The promise of Christ’s victory over death gives us hope that injustice will not have the final word.
We see this hope in the legacy of Dr. June Marion James, Manitoba’s first Black female physician. Despite facing barriers in the medical profession, she persevered, mentoring young Black medical students and advocating for better healthcare access. Her story, like so many others, is one of resurrection—a story of justice pursued and dignity restored.
We also see this resurrection hope in today’s movements for racial justice. In 2020, Winnipeg saw one of its largest protests against anti-Black racism, with thousands marching for justice. This was not just a moment of frustration but a declaration of hope—hope that in Christ, justice can be restored and a new world can be built. In this Diocese, we have seen the establishment of the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Committee, a committee that the late Cynthia Manswell never stopped supporting until the time of her death.
This Black History Month, we are called to do more than reflect—we are called to act.
Trust in God’s justice: Like the tree planted by water, let us root ourselves in God’s righteousness.
Stand with the marginalized: Jesus calls us to recognize that the poor, the hungry, and the oppressed are at the center of God’s kingdom.
Live in resurrection hope: Justice may be delayed, but it is not denied. In Christ, all things are made new.
This black History Month, let us commit to being a Church that uplifts Black voices, confronts racism, and works for justice. Let us be trees planted by streams of living water, bearing fruit for generations to come. Amen.
