Holy Spirit, Holy Breath-
Our black neighbors can’t breathe.
The ones in power have knees cutting into their necks
robbing them of air and of many tomorrows.
Our black neighbors can’t breathe.
They wonder what the “nice white lady” will say when she calls the police for no reason.
And then what will happen…
Our black neighbors can’t breathe.
As they work in positions deemed essential
and deal with other health issues-
Their chances of dying of COVID-19 is much higher than the “nice white lady” in the park or the person in power digging his knee into a neck.
May your Holy Spirit, Holy Breath surround them with protection,
heal their lungs,
and blow open the eyes and souls of the “nice white people” everywhere.
Amen.
*****
The Rev. Michelle L. Torigian is the Senior Pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, Illinois. Her essay “Always a Pastor, Never the Bride” was in the RevGalBlogPals book There’s a Woman in the Pulpit. She also has chapters in the books Sacred Habits: The Rise of the Creative Clergy and A Child Laughs: Prayers for Justice and Hope. Torigian blogs at http://www.michelletorigian.com.
*****
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