The Feast of Blessed Jonathan Myrick Daniels

The Feast of Blessed Jonathan Myrick Daniels

The mirror sees ushonestly. It reflects our colorsand glorifiesour differences. It blurs the imperfectionsand accentuates our fake smiles
We ask insteadfor fire. A burningfrom above. Burn awaythese cataracts of ignoranceand prejudice.Turn to ashes our adolescent mindswe delight in.Consume our inbred instincts. These human eyes, after allwill soon enoughgo blind with deathand turn to ash.
But true vision—true sight—prophecy—will survive us.
Calm the violence that grows within uswhen we are frightenedand challenged. Instill within us peacefulnessand a love that helps us to embrace color—to see, in our various tints,the holiness of flesh.
Love us in the colors of our skin—in our reds, in our blackness, in our yellowsin our browns and in our whiteness.
Love us for the fire that burns in us—that inferno ofof compassion and truth—that flames stronger than all flesh.
Love us for the life within us—for the frail breathhere, with us, in this momentand gone, in an instant later.
Love us for the blood in our veins—the same blooddrained from your veins.
Make us, truly,as you are One.



Jonathan Myrick Daniels (1939-1965) was an Episcopal seminarian who was shot and killed in August 20, 1965 in Selma, Alabamawhile defending a young girl during the Civil Rights demonstrations in the city.  His feast in the Episcopal Church is celebrated on August 14. 


Originally published in the anthology, Race and Prayer: Collected Voices, Many Dreams, edited by Malcolm Boyd and Bishop Chester L. Talton. Published in 2003 by Morehouse Publishing.