From the Pastor: We are born with only two fears – fear of falling and fear of loud noises. All other fears are learned. I cited this fact in a recent homily about the Gospel which began: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom,” (Luke 12:32). You see, in God’s kingdom our fears do not hold us prisoner. We can be healed and forgiven our hatreds and fears.

I do not ever remember my parents ever speaking in any explicitly racist way. I know that I heard other adults speak that way. I was aware of history. I read books about slavery, Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, the Civil War, the civil rights movement, etc. I knew about racism, but I do not recall ever hating or becoming afraid of people of another race, nationality, or religion. In fact, friends of our family often hosted young adults who came to Wisconsin to study. At a young age I met teenagers and adults from Japan, Mexico, Norway, etc. No one told me that I ought to fear them because they spoke with an accent, worshipped God differently than I did, or because their skin was differently colored than mine.

I am grateful to my parents and other adults for not teaching me to be racist, or to be fearful of those who are different from me. I learned from them, and then had my own experiences and relationships from which I learned. And, please do not misunderstand me, I do not wish to dismiss those who do have fears/phobias with which they must contend. I wish them the best as they confront those fears and/or obsessions and seek freedom from them. I believe, deeply, that God desires for us to be liberated from fear. Still, the challenge is to seek purification from our fears, our racist tendencies, and the hatreds which arise from such fears. Grandparents, parents, and other adults must be careful that we are teaching our children how to engage with others openly, with a desire to learn. We must avoid teaching that some harm or evil perpetrated by a person of color, or someone from another country or religious faith, makes all people of that color, country, or faith suspect.

We must not teach, and some of us must “unlearn” racism. We are to be Christ-like, Christ-centered. “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock…”

Peace, Fr. Andy