Sunday Musings – October 28, 2018
On this fall morning, I am reminded of the Charles Dickens’ quote in The Tale of Two Cities. “This is the best of times. This is the worst of times.” Last night I attended the annual gala of the Gateway Medical Society in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The universe or fate dictated that this would be the same day that a person would open fire on those attending a service in the synagogue The Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh (He killed 11 people and wounded six more.)
Many of those attending the gala have close ties with some of those directly affected by the shooting; some very close ties. Yet, they were at the gala; some for only a brief time before getting back to comfort those who were most directly affected by this violent act.
The evening went on as planned, but not without many prayers and with an awareness that the work of this very special medical society is even more needed. This organization of African American physicians rose out of hatred and bigotry to support and celebrate the work of African American physicians. Eventually it developed a mentor program and today actively mentors 110 African American male youth, offers scholarships to those wanting to enter the health care field and honors the often courageous and selfless work of African American physicians in the Pittsburgh area. Last evening two physicians were honored as physicians of the year. Others were honored as rising stars. One of the physician of the year awards went to my friend Marv McGowan who, along with many of his colleagues, are true healers. They know housing, food, a warm embrace and a hand up is just as important as treating broken bones, addiction or other illnesses.
Dr. McGowan is just one of the many members of this organization who are committed to celebrating the sacredness of all members of the community, but especially those who may at times be seen as “the least of these”.
Here these descendants of slaves, the Jim Crow laws; those living with the ongoing hatred which seems to prevail in so much of the world and which just ended the lives of 11 and wounded six more just a few miles from the site of gala, gathered to pray, to celebrate and to recommit to creating a more just and loving world. Looking at the elegantly attired attendees of this black-tie affair one might not think of the trenches in which they are called to serve. One might think all is right with the world. There is no more hatred and prejudice. Yet, we know this is not the case.
It takes great courage and a strong faith to stand tall and face hatred with love. Yet that is exactly what the members of this organization do every day and did last night.
Later today I will gather with others at the local Jewish Temple to grief, celebrate and recommit to responding to hate with love; to, once again, demonstrate that the truth which we must affirm is “This is the best of times. This is the worst of times.”
We will grieve but we will not hate. We will, along with the prophet Isaiah, proclaim:
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed
that her sin has been paid for
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for her sin (Isaiah 40: 1-2, NIV)
Written October 28, 2018
On this fall morning, I am reminded of the Charles Dickens’ quote in The Tale of Two Cities. “This is the best of times. This is the worst of times.” Last night I attended the annual gala of the Gateway Medical Society in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The universe or fate dictated that this would be the same day that a person would open fire on those attending a service in the synagogue The Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh (He killed 11 people and wounded six more.)
Many of those attending the gala have close ties with some of those directly affected by the shooting; some very close ties. Yet, they were at the gala; some for only a brief time before getting back to comfort those who were most directly affected by this violent act.
The evening went on as planned, but not without many prayers and with an awareness that the work of this very special medical society is even more needed. This organization of African American physicians rose out of hatred and bigotry to support and celebrate the work of African American physicians. Eventually it developed a mentor program and today actively mentors 110 African American male youth, offers scholarships to those wanting to enter the health care field and honors the often courageous and selfless work of African American physicians in the Pittsburgh area. Last evening two physicians were honored as physicians of the year. Others were honored as rising stars. One of the physician of the year awards went to my friend Marv McGowan who, along with many of his colleagues, are true healers. They know housing, food, a warm embrace and a hand up is just as important as treating broken bones, addiction or other illnesses.
Dr. McGowan is just one of the many members of this organization who are committed to celebrating the sacredness of all members of the community, but especially those who may at times be seen as “the least of these”.
Here these descendants of slaves, the Jim Crow laws; those living with the ongoing hatred which seems to prevail in so much of the world and which just ended the lives of 11 and wounded six more just a few miles from the site of gala, gathered to pray, to celebrate and to recommit to creating a more just and loving world. Looking at the elegantly attired attendees of this black-tie affair one might not think of the trenches in which they are called to serve. One might think all is right with the world. There is no more hatred and prejudice. Yet, we know this is not the case.
It takes great courage and a strong faith to stand tall and face hatred with love. Yet that is exactly what the members of this organization do every day and did last night.
Later today I will gather with others at the local Jewish Temple to grief, celebrate and recommit to responding to hate with love; to, once again, demonstrate that the truth which we must affirm is “This is the best of times. This is the worst of times.”
We will grieve but we will not hate. We will, along with the prophet Isaiah, proclaim:
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed
that her sin has been paid for
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for her sin (Isaiah 40: 1-2, NIV)
Written October 28, 2018
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