March 17, 2022

I know it is St. Patrick’s Day (planning on some Guinness and Irish Stew today), but I want to talk about James Brown as an example of the Incarnation. 50 years ago he left the Apollo Theater to go to Riker’s Island to put on a show for the imprisoned youth. The Godfather of Soul pulled out all the stops. 

“He had his entire troupe there, with backups and all that stuff. He was giving it 110 percent,” said one volunteer. Including Brown, the group that day featured 18 people — musicians, backup singers, dancers and even a comedian, Clay Tyson. “The inmates were totally into it. They just grooved on it and had a wonderful time.”

The bible describes us as people imprisoned by Sin and Death. In Christ, God stormed into enemy territory to rescue us. As St. Paul tells us, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

The prison doors remained closed after James Brown left Rickers. Jesus busted open our prison doors forever.

“O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears,make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the lastgreat Day; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (On A Sunday – BCP p. 835)