Ella's Song
Channel: First Congregational Church of LA
Date: 26/01/2019

"Ella's Song" Bernice Johnson Reagon
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles (fccla.org)
Cathedral Choir
Corona de los Santos and Molly Pease, soloist
Dr. David Harris, Music Director
Dr. Christoph Bull, Organist-In-Residence
1/20/2019

Inside The Music
“One of the most powerful things Jesus ever said was “Go and do likewise”. After the long and painful story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked the question “Which of these was the neighbor?”, but the question and story pale in comparison to his punch line. “Go and Do.” You have the example, now spend your life energy training a deeply compassionate response to all living things. In the face of tyranny, prejudice, injustice, and hardship, we need strength of character and community to nurture compassion within ourselves. We must remember that there is a balm to heal us, and that compassion demands that we take daily steps. The power of Dr. King’s message was rooted in his impenetrable compassion for all. He also knew that compassion’s greatest enemy is self-serving greed. They are both essential to human survival, but for some strange reason, the easier life becomes for people, the easier greed takes hold. When Bernice Johnson Reagon began Sweet Honey In The Rock 40 years ago, she put out an open call for social justice. When only four people showed up, she was distraught, but her sisters in music who came that night went on to create as strong a message for change as the world has seen. How will you say “I’m Gon Stand!!!”? “Go and do likewise.” ~Dr. Harris