“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. Fear not, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV). This declaration of Jesus was made to his disciples on the eve of his tribulation.
Since then, Jesus’s words have continued to reverberate through history. Propelled by the Holy Spirit, these words and have produced generations of people and spiritual movements who have overcome the cruelty of unjust authoritarian systems of power. These disciples have moved in the ways of Jesus, and have overcome fear and oppression. Not through the weapons of this world, but by the power of love, in solidarity with each other and the marginalized.
In the aftermath of the descent of militarized, masked, unidentifiable ICE agents into Minneapolis and their public murders of Renée Goode and Alex Pretti, a mass resistance movement has emerged. Much of the movement bears the marks of Jesus as it responds to raw authoritarian violence with peaceful, non-violent resistance. The movement is actively organizing and inter-positioning itself between the vulnerable immigrants and people of color being hunted and harassed in their neighborhoods by ICE agents.
One of the most remarkable and distinguishing marks of this movement is that a resistance songbook is emerging that centers love for all and fosters courage in the face of fear. The songs assert the power of love and its capacity to prevail over injustice and oppression. In the Jan. 24th “ICE OUT!” protest march, these songs of peace and justice could be heard from fifty thousand marchers braved sub-zero weather. The movement is generating new Gospel and folk groups who show up in churches, community centers and on the streets, leading people in songs of peace. To hear the people sing together as they put their bodies on the line for others is to know that God’s love and justice will ultimately prevail. Here is a sampling:
“Courage, is not the absence of fear,
it is the feeling of this fear, being afraid,
and standing up anyway.”
These lyrics of “Courage”, by The People’s Echo harken to Mandela’s declaration: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”.
“We are not afraid ,
we will march for liberation,
cause we know why we were made”
This song by the Peace Poets was written a few years ago for Poor People’s Campaign, an organization founded by justice leader and theologian Rev. Dr. William Barber II which challenges systemic racism and injustice.
In response to the targeting of immigrants in the Phillips neighborhood, one church in the neighborhood held a peace service for the community on January 11. The Resistance Singers led the overflow crowd of one thousand-plus in what is emerging as untitled call and response anthem:
“We are here, with our city”
Our love for each other will carry us through
Yes our love for each other will carry us through.”
Yes it will. As you listen to a brief video clip of the song, take heart. Jesus has already overcome the world. Fear not, as we walk in the peaceful ways of Jesus to shield the foreigners and marginalized in our midst, God’s peace will ultimately come. God’s love and our love for each other will carry us through!
by Stephen Reedy
Cornelius Corps Board Member