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A Few Words from Pastor Bryan
...and James Baldwin
Ever get the sense that there's a book you're "supposed" to read? A book that finds you rather than the other way around? It happens to me now and then and I've learned to respond as quickly as possible to these little gifts and nudges from the Divine. I do my best to make it easy for God to get my attention so that I can receive a gift that God is trying to give me.
As I shared last week, I read a bunch of books during my month away. But one just recently found me and I've just started reading it. I can already tell it's going to speak to me deeply. The book is, The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America's Great Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity. The author of this book (not James Baldwin himself) is previously unknown to me--a professor (white and heterosexual) at Baylor University in Texas named Greg Garrett.
When I say that a book "found me," what that usually means is that in a short period of time, I'll see a certain book referenced or quoted by two or more people I either know and respect in completely different and unrelated contexts, or I'll hear something from or about the book that speaks to my soul.
The first time this "Gospel According to James Baldwin book came to my attention was a through a Facebook post by my friend and colleague Rev. Otis Moss III. Rev. Moss was holding the cover of the book and announcing that he couldn't wait to start studying this book with his church. They are going to devote a whole series of weeks at their congregation to James Baldwin's insights regarding the Gospel.
I've been familiar with James Baldwin for a long time, and have been moved by quotes of his, but I've never read any of his books. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I didn't realize he had so much "game" when it came to theology, Scripture, and spirituality. He was an openly gay black man in the 1960's who "spoke out" on many issues of culture, race, and sexual identity. He was obviously brilliant, but he often seemed a bit above my head to be honest. I've always been intrigued and meaning to get to some of his work, but it just never got to the top of my list. Rev. Moss's decision to make this book such a focus in his congregation is reason enough for me to know I've got to read it.
But then I randomly (well--social media AI algorithms probably made it less random) came across a conversation between a young Maya Angelou and James Baldwin. Riveting.
But the final nudge was a video "reel" that also appeared of an anonymous person sharing the following quote from James Baldwin. This one touched me so deeply that I knew I had to read this book and begin my deeper dive into James Baldwin. I don't yet know the exact source or context of the quote. Only that it was something James Baldwin once wrote or said. I suggest you read this quote through several times. To me, what James Baldwin is pointing toward in this quote is the gift that Jesus gives us all--and invites us to offer others as we move through this world.
James Baldwin Quote
"The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love,
whether we call it friendship or family or romance
is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.
Gentle work. Steadfast work.
Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow preclude our own light from our view.
But there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back…
In our best moments we are that person for another."
Hope to see you all at church in person or on zoom the Sunday,
Pastor Bryan
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