Truth Tellers,
“What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops” (Matthew 10:27). Jesus speaks these words to the disciples as we continue his “boot camp” in the cost of discipleship toward liberation. The text made me think of the “Say Their Names” Cemetery in Minneapolis, and I found today’s header picture. As the White House will not recognize the day, free admission day to federal parks has been removed, and content regarding Juneteenth and Black history has been scaled back or removed from several federal agency websites, it seems appropriate to lift this up as we come to celebrate Juneteenth 2026.
The system wants silence. We are called to speak out.
Martin Luther King, Jr., famously said, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Corretta Scott King is quoted: “Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.” And we must refuse to stay silent and must continue to speak truth to power, to lift up the inequities, and work toward the liberation of all people.
Yes, liberation comes at a cost. They can come for the body but cannot take the soul. Jesus says, “Are not the sparrows sold for pennies? Yet not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Abba God’s knowledge. As for you, every hair of your head has been counted. So, don’t be afraid of anything – you are worth more than an entire flock of sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
As the hymn goes, “God’s eye is on the sparrow….”
I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 10 am on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream. Alexis will be sharing a Juneteenth moment as part of the reflection. Share the good news of freedom to be had; proclaim it from the housetops.
Love,
Rev. Michael
P.S. As we prepare for the 60th Anniversary, we continue to ask that you help us to identify historical documents, photos, and moments in the life of IUC. For those in Foster City, arriving around 9:30 am and staying a few moments after service would be DIVINE. Many hands make light work!