When I was a first year seminarian at General Theological Seminary (G.T.S.) in New York City (the only black student in my class), a classmate was writing a paper on the Black Muslims in America.  There was nothing in the library about the subject, so I took him to a bookstore in Harlem.  While browsing, Malcolm X walked in.  I said “Dave, there’s Malcolm X.  Why don’t you go over, made introductions and interview him.  Dave said, “I can’t do that.”  I said, “of course we can.”  We walked over and made introductions.  Malcolm X turned to me and asked what seminary are you attending?  I said “General Seminary of the Episcopal Church” to which Malcolm X asked, “What is a Black man doing in the Episcopal Church?”  I stuttered and stammered and Malcolm X just laughed and then gave us a precious hour of his time.

            I was a new Episcopalian and did not know our history.  Now, I wish I could hit the re-wind button and go back to that day, that bookstore and conversation.  I would tell Malcolm X about Absalom Jones: born a slave, purchased his freedom and that of his wife.  Taught himself to read.  With Richard Allen and others walked out of St. George’s Methodist Church and formed the Free African Society.  This in the 1790’s in America!

            The Free African Society was the 1^st Independent Black Organization in this land.  It was a self-help empowerment society, whose purpose was to reach out and serve the needs of the freed and enslaved African population of Philadelphia.  They provided a store where people of Africa could worship God in an atmosphere of dignity.

            During the severe plague of yellow fever that struck Philadelphia in 1792, it was the Free African Society that came to the rescue and nursed the city back to health.

            When the war of 1812 broke out the Vigilance committee of Philadelphia seeing the city threatened by the advance of British troops called on Absalom Jones and Richard Allen and solicited support from the Free African Society to help defend the city.  More than 2,500 Black men responded ready to march to the front lines.

            Jones and Allen petitioned congress to emancipate those held in slavery and worked tirelessly for the cause of freedom and justice.

            From the Free African Society came St. Thomas’ African Church.  An Episcopal Church.  Absalom Jones became its pastor and from the pulpit denounced slavery and warned the oppressors to clean their hands.

            If I could rewind I would tell Malcolm X the Absalom Jones story and would if I could, fast forward to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, our brother in the Anglican Communion whose stead fast leadership helped to change South Africa and the world.  And that I would invite Malcolm X to come and worship with me in our wonderful Episcopal Church with its wide embrace of all people.  I can’t rewind that tape, but I remember and give thanks for this Church’s mission and on this day for being a beneficiary of Absalom Jones.  

            Absalom Jones was not a Nat Turner – a fiery revolutionary or a John Brown raiding Harpers Ferry for ammunition, they had their place.  But God lit in Absalom’s heart, a flame of freedom so bright that nothing could extinguish it.  His determination was not to destroy society, but to redeem it.  He heard Jesus commandment to love. 

            The Spirit of the Lord was upon him to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive no matter the conditions around him.  Echoing in Jones’ soul were the words “You are not a slave, but a child of God.  The Church has not officially bestowed the title Saint upon Absalom Jones, but I can’t help but believe God has.  For Saints are the light of the world in their generations.  And my Lord, what a light Absalom Jones cast.  It shines across the centuries and shines on us today.

            I am glad that this service of celebration is in the Cathedral.  Our presence here says that Absalom Jones is not a gift from and to Black Episcopalians, but to all of us – all Anglican Christians, all who know the story.  And we have come, not just to remember but to pray that God would pour out upon us, some of the Spirit He gave to Absalom Jones.  For the work to which our brother Absalom was called is unfinished.

The sad song of slavery is over, but the melody lingers on.  Miami, Florida is a great cosmopolitan City.  South Beach where we dined last night is a happening place – a busy shining jewel at night.  But I know that like Cincinnati where I live, not far from here are neighborhoods that are far from shining and prosperous.

I recently wrote a paper on the Hip Hop phenomenon.  I said in part about rap music “at its best, this music draws attention to the complex dimension of inner city life (read ghetto) that are ignored by many in our country.  It speaks the pain and possibilities, fears, hopes and fantasies of urban young people.  Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs to lower wage workers abroad.  In many cases, nearly three decades of global economic growth has translated into fewer jobs, a lower standard of living and increased poverty.  Across America there are neighborhoods gated by economics and poor schools, undergraded economy, drug culture and violence where too many live hence the mass appeal of rap lyrics that speak of a gritty underworld.

When you get past the loud music hard language, baggy clothing, pants slung low over their backside, you will see young people trying to define themselves – to be free – wanting a better life – a better world.  And remember there are two million people in prison in America.  Some call it the new slavery. Our nations inmates are disproportionately Black and Latino.  They are all children of God.  A new commandment I give you, said Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Each of us baptized and Confirmed followers of Jesus has a covenant with God in which God has rescued us from the power of darkness and transformed us into the Kingdom of His Son.  What a blessing – what a privilege.  But it carries a great responsibility. We have promised to Seek and Serve Christ in all persons, to respect the dignity of every human being and to proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ.

The same Spirit that was given to Absalom Jones was given to you and me – the Spirit of God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

In the cross and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, God has won the victory over sin and death – everything that holds people captive.  God has sent the church to implement His victory person by person until all people know and live in that promised freedom as children and heirs of God.

If Absalom Jones could do all that he did despite being born in the cold bosom of slavery, having to teach himself to read and write, what can we not do we in the 21st century, followers of the risen Christ.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon us.

Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.  Glory to Him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever.  AMEN