KEEPING THE FAITH | From death came the ultimate triumph
Throughout history, systems of power have put to death those who lived and fought on the side of justice, love and peace.
It is both saddening and frustrating to know that we have lost so many foot soldiers of peace to senseless acts of violence. I makes one wonder: Where is God in the midst of all this pain? Yet, the same applies to the senseless viciousness against our Savior, Jesus Christ, more than 2,000 years ago.
What some believed was the demise and failure of the Savior upon the cross actually turned out to be the greatest success story ever told. There is a stark difference between those in positions of power and those who actually hold the power. This means that those who we thought had the last say actually did not.
Those acts of violence we have seen have turned into marvelous movements where everyday people have rallied together to speak out against injustice. Jesus shows us that there were those in positions of authority who allowed Him to die, but God had the final authority when God lifted Jesus from the grave.
God can turn the pain of evil situations into movements with the power to save or redeem. During Holy Week, we reflected on the agony and pain, but also the ultimate triumph of one who died to live on behalf of humanity. The death and resurrection of Jesus birthed a movement for which we are a part more than 2,000 years later.
Most of us know how easy it is to rush to: “But early Sunday morning, He got up with all power in His hands.” Yet we must take the needed time to wrestle with the fragile moments leading up to our Savior’s death on an old wooden cross. The Passion week, especially Maundy Thursday, helps us to fully better appreciate Resurrection Sunday.
Take some time to reflect on those precious last moments of the Savior’s humility and love on our behalf. Then consider Luke 24:1-6 when the women arrived to prepare the body of Christ for a proper burial and discovered that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
As they entered the tomb, the body of the Lord Jesus was absent. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee!”
The enemy has a way of trying his best to keep us down. He may tempt us with our weaknesses. He may distress us with depression. He may even oppress us with systemic regulations. Yet, as Maya Angelou is noted for writing: “I rise.” No situation has the power to keep your God down unless you allow it. Your enemies may have tried to stop you by talking about you, lying on you, blocking opportunities from coming your way. Yet you were still able to keep the job you wanted, move into the place you desired and provide for yourself. There may have even been attempts to block you from your blessings, but “no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”
At the basis of our faith is the resurrection, which connotes that after suffering, shame, mockery and deceit, we can yet rise. Jesus endured every possible suffering a human can go through and on the third day, rose up with all power in His hands. Through His resurrection, He gave us permission and license to fight through the battles that may be waged against us. Now, you can say to your enemies and to the battles you are facing: “You can’t stop me. For today, I have the victory!” Revelation 1:18 gives us celebratory pause for today’s occasion as Jesus declares, “I am the Living One. I died, but look — I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
I love this occasion because each time I celebrate it, I am reminded of how God raised me from a life of death and sin into a new abundant life of joy. This day represents the gift of salvation to all of us. No matter what dead situations we may be facing, we serve a God who took the sting away from death and robbed the grave of its victory.
So this week I encourage you to remember the empty tomb. And may the hope of that image illuminate your pathway. I pray that it brings you a resilience and determination to keep on moving forward in dark days. Most of all, I pray that the Easter story will rekindle a flame of love in your heart that you can share with the world — the same love God shared with us.
The elders speak: A collection of thoughts
“God is like a mirror. The mirror never changes, but everybody who looks at it sees something different.” — Harold S. Kushner, Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts
“What you won’t forgive, in some fashion you will become.” — Pastor Claudette A. Copeland, Pastor Emerita of New Creation Christian Fellowship
“May we stop seeing ourselves through the eyes of people that never saw us.” — Shane Steele
“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.” — Bishop T.D. Jakes of Potter’s House of Dallas, Texas
“We need to reject war, a place where fathers and mothers bury their children, where men kill their brothers and sisters without having seen them, where the powerful decide and the poor die.” — Pope Francis
“It is finished!” — Jesus Christ
Still responding to calls
Pastor Michael Anderson is servant leadership personified. After a sterling and decorated career as an officer for the Youngstown Police Department, he has retired to assume the full time pastorate of Victory Christian Liberty campus. In Joshua-like fashion, Pastor Anderson served faithfully during the illness and ultimate healing of the late Pastor Lock P. Beachum Jr.
Always humble and sporting a generous smile, Pastor Anderson fostered a positive and engaged relationship with the community he loves. He spent a majority of his impressive law enforcement career patrolling the city streets as well, as a K-9 officer. With honor and valor, Pastor Anderson courageously apprehended numerous dangerous criminals from our city streets while removing weapons and drugs. Additionally, he was appointed by Police Chief Carl Davis as the liaison for the YPD Chaplaincy.
Best wishes to Pastor Mike and First Lady Eileen, his partner in marriage and ministry, as they continue to cast a God-given vision which will impact the entire Mahoning Valley.
From labor to reward
Rev. Terrence J. Hazel, pastor emeritus of Saint Michael Catholic Church in Canfield, recently transitioned from this life into the joys of eternal life. His demonstrative commitment to youth and their families was unparalleled. He often quietly used his own resources to support and sustain families in crisis.
He was ordained on June 7, 1975, by the Most Rev. Bishop James W. Malone of Youngstown in the Cathedral of St. Columba. Following ordination, his first assignment was as faculty at Ursuline High School. In 1978, he was transferred to Warren John F. Kennedy High School as an administrative assistant for pastoral ministry. Later, he was appointed principal of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and canonical pastor of Saint Peter of the Fields Parish in Rootstown in 1995.
In 1997, Hazel became pastor of Saint Michael Parish in Canfield until his retirement in 2021. There, he oversaw the addition of the parish’s Family Life Center. Father Hazel was also involved in ministering to people with developmental and physical challenges and was one of two priests in the diocese who was fluent in sign language. I met and was blessed to work with Father Hazel via our mutual interest in ACTION, a faith based social justice organization.
Father Hazel often concluded funeral homilies by reminding those present that no one dies alone. Someone always comes to welcome you. I am confident that he heard the words he longed to hear: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant!”
His family captured his down-to-Earth nature as he donned a pair of red high-top tennis shoes while lying reposed. Father Hazel is survived by his sister, Diane, and several nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.
Need a booster?
The faith community continues to support efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The Youngstown City Health District will administer coronavirus vaccinations and eligible booster shots at Price Memorial AME Zion Church, 920 Dryden Ave., on Thursday, April 21, from noon to 3 p.m., with access to either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
Holy Hour prayer service
The month of April promotes awareness in secular and sacred communities regarding the impact of child abuse and trauma. Most Rev. Bishop David Bonnar of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese will preside over a Holy Hour with Benediction for victims of child abuse on Sunday, April 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 West Rayen Ave. The community is invited to pray for victims of child abuse, for all families and communities who are traumatized by the rippling effects of abuse and for healing in our church and in our world.
Lift every voice and vote!
Please exercise your civic duty and vote for candidates and issues who reflect your values and self-interest. All votes count and you are urged to exercise your God-given right and responsibility by voting. While every election is important, there are critical races and issues on the ballot in this upcoming election. The primary election in Ohio will be held Tuesday, May 3, and early voting has already begun.
In an effort to remove any real or perceived barriers to voting, the Community Mobilization Coalition, a non-partisan organization, is coordinating van transportation to the Mahoning County Board of Elections for early voters and on Election Day. If you need a ride to vote, call 330- 747-2125 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to schedule.
Hope and help for the hurting
Bishop Kenneth Paramore and Pastor Leta Paramore are hosting a night of hope and praise from a mental health perspective on Friday, May 6, at Christ Centered Church, 3300 Hudson Ave., Youngstown. It will be an evening to be enlightened, encouraged, motivated and strengthened.
Pastor Mark T. Jackson will serve as the worship facilitator. Pastor Michael Young will invoke the presence of God, seeking His blessing at 6 p.m. Praise and worship will be led by Lady Tami Bolling-Harrison and psalmist Leslie Kitchen.
Evening speakers include Sharmayne Bolling, MS, presenting on mindfulness; Dawn Powell, MSW, LISW-S, presenting on COVID-19 and mental health; and Marcus S. Cosper, MSPAC, MSBS, presenting on mental health and treatment.
Seating for this free event is limited and registration is required via Eventbrite. Click here to register.
Celebrate Passover and Resurrection Sunday
Let me conclude with a final observation regarding this Holy Weekend.
Many will either celebrate Passover or Resurrection Sunday. Both of these miraculous events represent a form of redemption. Yet they are also a reminder of the close spiritual bond between Jews and Christians. Both experiences are celebrations of deliverance — one from the despair of slavery and the other from the despondency of sin.
Together, Passover and Resurrection Sunday shed light on the deep roots of both Judaism and Christianity. Fundamentally, they represent the supernatural hope that is found in God’s love for His people. As we celebrate this sacred season with family and friends, it is my hope and prayer that we come together in joy and peace. May the world see our unity as a sign of our unconditional love for God and each other during this blessed holy season, as we all keep the faith.
— The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II serves as the lead pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, chaplain for the Youngstown Police Department, president of the Baptist Pastors Council and the local coordinator for the African American Male Wellness Walk of the Mahoning Valley. He resides in Youngstown with Dorothy, his partner in marriage and ministry. They share the love and joy of six children and eight grandchildren and their mischievous canine, Sir Winston.
— All biblical citations are New Living Translation unless noted otherwise.