Habakkuk’s clear vision can help us keep focus

The Clarion Herald asked Thomas James (TeeJay) Nash II, a member of St. Peter Claver Parish, and his wife Whitney Nash to share their reflections on attending the recent National Black Catholic Congress.

Thomas James Nash II

There was once upon a time that I wrote to please humanity.

I assure you, reader, that this time has expired. I now write to please the divine. I am overjoyed to report that 3,000 members of the body of Christ met for the 13th time to complain of atrocities within their reality, just as the prophet Habakkuk did some 2,600 years ago.

As Habakkuk was given the instruction to await the vision and be patient, pilgrims from all over awaited to be fed by the true vision of Christ. Among those present were elders, middle-aged adults and young adults of multiple races and languages. Among those present were youth, who have not yet reached legal maturity but who proved in some cases to be more spiritually mature than the adults who were in charge.

Lastly, there were many consecrated men and women (religious sisters and brothers, priests and deacons, bishops and archbishops, and, of special note, a cardinal).

The summit of the gathering was a meal of thanksgiving where bread was broken. At no time did the 3,000 experience a lack of nourishment from these extraordinary events that were hidden in the ordinary.

Those present were a majority of descendants of African slaves and descendants of men and women who were not invited to gatherings like this less than 100 years ago. Descendants of those who were told to sit in the balcony or to monitor their gift of blackness in order to make those who subscribed to white superiority feel comfortable.

The outline of my vision can be summed into two questions:

1. Why is it that if I told this story and left out the color of the majority of attendees’ skin most people reading this article would not envision my face and those who are in the picture attached to it?

2. How long will it take, O Lord, for what took place to be seen as a purely Catholic event for all and not just a Black event? Surely, the vision will not disappoint, and I will continue to wait for the word “Catholic” to truly mean “universal” in the hearts of all.

Whitney Nash

A most uplifting, exhilarating and reflective time for me, the National Black Catholic Congress will be one of many to remember. I often anticipate the differences and embrace the learning experience as a Protestant. The willingness to be loud, wordy and unafraid to announce the kingdom of God continues to remain congruent among us.

Leveraging mental health and African ancestry were life-changing and gave me the courage to explore my identity, reframe my negative thoughts and immerse myself in prayer. There is power in knowing who you are, where you come from and, most importantly, to whom you belong.

I found comfort in knowing I am not alone and many, whether Catholic or non-Catholic, share similar struggles and were brave enough to say it out loud. Crowds over time have made me uncomfortable, but this was a family gathering, which permitted me to be vulnerable on every level. I was eager to come back to share and exchange with my parish.

The theme of this congress was to write the vision and make it plain. My vision is that more Catholic and non-Catholic Christians will come together despite our differences. To accept and embrace one another with love, compassion and understanding. Most importantly, to know we were created by the same God and that we all have only one way to the Father, and that is through the son, Jesus Christ.