1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126 NIV
My reluctance
As a white woman, mixed feelings of guilt for my ancestors’ part in making the celebration necessary in the first place and fears of intruding in a community celebration caused me to avoid Juneteenth celebrations. However, several community leaders were encouraging everyone of all races to attend. Our church partnered with The Mercantile to hand out free ice cream during the event. So I volunteered to help.
On this sticky June afternoon, we bowed our heads as the minister prayed to open the event. I wish I could have written down his eloquent prayer- a lament for slavery, celebration for freedom, sorrow for current injustice, and yet hope for the future.
The prayer reminded me of Psalm 126, one of the Songs of Ascents. Pilgrims sang these hymns as they journeyed to Jerusalem for three annual feasts. The background of this particular hymn celebrates the return of the captives of Babylon back to Jerusalem.
The pilgrims mouths were “filled with laughter” and their “tongues with songs of joy.” They celebrated their return. Yet at the same time, the psalmist recognizes that things had not completely been restored. Tears were still being shed. So many similarities exist between this Psalm and our Black brothers and sisters. They celebrate Juneteenth and yet, injustices and prejudice still exist.
The psalmist asks for things to be completely restored and that “those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” What a beautiful picture of people bringing in bundles of grain (sheaves), a bountiful harvest from the seeds planted in tears. I pray that our community and our world will continue to sow the seeds of justice, so that someday, we will celebrate the great harvest together.
Sheaves Picture :Photo by Mohammad Yearuzzaman on Unsplash