‘A Change is Gonna Come’ inspires call for ‘courage and moral clarity’
The Rev. Denise Anderson delivers a searing sermon at Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.
LOUISVILLE — Speaking before a hometown crowd in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Denise Anderson gave a sermon on Sunday that challenged listeners to demonstrate the courage of their convictions as the White House prepares to receive new leadership.
The sermon, inspired by Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” took place at the historically African American Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church during a time of reflection for many in the country. The next day, Jan. 6, was to be the anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building, which occurred during Donald Trump’s first term, as well as Epiphany.
“Epiphany is when we are presented with a choice to either walk in the salvation of God or hold on to that which we have grown accustomed, even if it's not serving us anymore,” said Anderson, the director of Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “It's when we're presented with a choice to stick to the familiar dark or to step into a new light. The times into which we are entering are going to require a courage and moral clarity that only God, God’s self, can give.”
Anderson noted that the 2021 insurrection occurred a short distance from the church as rioters loyal to then-President Trump stormed the Capitol Building. She spoke of the need to examine one’s own character as developments unfold in the days to come. Trump will be sworn in for a second term Jan. 20.
“The Akan principle of Sankofa is going to be an important one for us in this new year, this new paradigm,” she said. “These past few years have truly been (an) apocalyptic unveiling for us. What have they taught us about who we are? What have they taught us about who we need to be? Without an honest and sober assessment, no amount of inbreaking of light will be efficacious for us. We have to go back and take account of what God has done, is doing and is calling us to do.”
Anderson interspersed modern-day realities with history about Cooke’s career, the racism he faced while courting crossover success in the music industry, and how a dream inspired him to write “A Change is Gonna Come,” a song that would become a civil rights anthem. Anderson also shared the impactful moment when Cooke was arrested for disturbing the peace after being turned away from a white hotel in Louisiana despite going out of his way to cater to whites during his career.
“Even Sam Cooke eventually realized that he had to stop hiding in the shadows because no amount of avoidance or capitulation could change the fact that he was a Black man in America with a platform most people like him will never have, and that meant something,” Anderson said. “We cannot afford to be ambiguous or sheepish about our convictions in these coming days and years.”
“If they are going to revile you no matter what you do, then you might as well do the right thing. If they are going to reject you anyway, then you might as well do the just thing. You might as well do the honest thing. You might as well do the liberating thing. You might as well do the good thing. You might as well shine the light. Even if our lives must be hard, let them at least be holy.”
Anderson also bemoaned the increased popularity of hate groups in recent years and warned against capitulating to the egotism of oligarchs.
“Change will happen with us or to us, but God cannot be mocked forever,” she said.
Drawing on the lyrics of “Jesus, the Light of the World,” Anderson went on to implore the congregation to walk in the light.
“Don't give in to weak resignation, to the evils we deplore,” she said. “Walk in the Light, beautiful light. Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright, shine all around us, by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world.”
She concluded with a verse from Cooke’s prophetic song. “There have been times that I thought I couldn't last for long, but now I think I'm able to carry on. It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gon’ come. Oh, yes it will.”
Watch the sermon in full here.
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