‘Hope is Active:’ Faith Leaders Combat Injustice Through Holy Week, Easter Messages

By Hamil R. Harris

At an uncertain time for the District, nation and world, as the Trump administration continues to terminate jobs and programs and furlough federal workers across the country, many local pastors are combining Holy Week and Easter messages with charitable efforts to help their members and beyond.

“It is a tragedy in terms of what we have had to experience,” said the Rev. George Gilbert Sr., co-pastor of Holy Trinity United Baptist Church, in Southeast D.C. “Easter means the same thing that it has always meant, but right now Donald Trump is trying too hard to reshape our government.” 

While he was critical of the executive branch, he also called out the judicial and legislative branches for “not stepping up.”

“And the sad thing is that,” Gilbert continued, “even though we have three branches of government, the other branches are not even playing.”

Despite Trump’s control, the Holy Trinity co-pastor emphasized the need for churches to use this divisive time in the United States to work toward unity and justice, using God’s message of love, hope, faith and true equity. 

“I have encouraged all of our churches to be steadfast and unmoveable because ultimately God is going to intervene,” Gilbert told The Informer, “and he has always made sure that we are taken care of.”

The Rev. Thomas Bowen, minister of social justice at Shiloh Baptist Church, in Northwest, D.C., said it is important for faith leaders and communities to offer a place of peace and hope during this politically, socially and financially trying time for the District and nation.

“As many of our parishioners face uncertainty and economic threat—particularly those whose livelihoods have been built on good government jobs—we must speak to both their pain and their promise,” Bowen said.

Bishop Joel Peebles, pastor of City of Praise in Landover, Maryland and leader of Global United Fellowship, emphasized the power of the church to combat challenging moments.

“The church is most relevant when the world is at its greatest struggle,” Peebles said.

For Bishop Vashite McKenzie, president of the National Council of Churches, prayer is key to combating current political challenges.

“At this critical time this country we face divisions, and suffering and challenges that threaten to weaken the intertwining of justice with compassion, so we must pray. When we face the threats of our economic stability we must pray. When face deep political polarization which fuels divisiveness and distrust and devastating social tension we must pray.”

Holy Week, Easter Offers Message of Hope Despite Suffering  

As with many clergy, Holy Week is a busy time for  McKenzie, who will not only be preaching at Howard University Easter Sunday, but she has been leading a 24-hour prayer service this week.

“At the National Council of Churches, we are in the middle of 24 hours of prayer,” McKenzie told The Informer on Monday evening. “We began at 6 a.m. this morning and we will conclude Tuesday morning because of Holy Week.”

She shared the lessons offered during Holy Week, and said Christians today should take inspiration from Jesus and the disciples when navigating hard times. 

“The march from Jerusalem to Golgotha Hill reminds us of the need for prayer in the middle of turmoil,” she said. “The disciples were feeling the weight of the future and Jesus was already feeling the weight of the cross and yet in the midst of this Jesus turned to prayer and so must we.”

For many, such as the Rev. Henry P. Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church of Highland Park, Holy Week and Easter are a reminder that Jesus suffered on the cross, died and resurrected in order to offer hope for the future.

“Jesus endured the pain for all of us, and despite all of the darkness of this week (and time),” said Davis.  “Jesus gives hope to all of us.”

While Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday are often filled with activities in churches worldwide, this year local faith leaders, like Davis, are emphasizing the importance of Jesus Christ’s commitment to uplifting all people, and his particular passion for the marginalized, sick, lonely and oppressed.

While he has plans to keep Holy Week traditions alive, such as inviting seven ministers to preach Jesus’ seven last words during the church’s Good Friday service, and a big Easter Sunday celebration, Saturday is about giving back.

”We are going to do grocery and food distributions on Saturday morning,” Davis told The Informer. “On Friday we will worship and on Saturday we will show that Jesus was active in the community.”

Peebles also plans on tapping into  Easter programming throughout the week and having pastors air the seven last words of Christ.

“The church has stuff going on all week and internationally Global Fellowship we have things going on around the globe,” he told The Informer.

Focused on helping people navigate uncertainty and challenges, Peebles said his Easter message is simple. 

“No matter what you see happening, what looks like a tragedy, God can turn it into a strategy,” he declared.

The Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of Community of Hope AME, in Temple Hills, will be preaching at Highland Park on Friday where he too will offer a message of hope despite trials and tribulations.

“You can’t go through the messages of Easter without going through the tragedy of Good Friday,” Lee said. “Even amid the pain and sorrow, there is the hope of Sunday.”

Similarly, the Rev. Zina Pierre, pastor of Bethel Restoration Church in District Heights, Maryland, told The Informer: “Easter represents the moment where death was defeated and hope was restored.”

Bowen emphasized the power of the Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday narrative, but also noted the importance of working toward a better tomorrow.

“The message of Easter is clear: Death does not have the final word—hope does,” he said. “But hope must be active.”

As Washingtonians and people around the country navigate challenges, Bowen offered a call to action.

”The Black Church must be a prophetic voice and a practical refuge,” Bowen told The Informer. “We cannot afford to be silent while the very systems that helped our families rise into the middle class are being dismantled. We must advocate, organize, and equip our people—spiritually, emotionally, and civically—to resist policies that undermine their dignity and their future.”

This post appeared first on The Washington Informer.

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