A Friend of the Poor Standing Against Empire
Today the Episcopal Church celebrates the Lesser Feast Day of Father Charles Freer Andrews. Father Andrews was an Anglican priest and activist best known for his work alongside Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggle for home rule. His work in India earned him the moniker Deenabandhu, a Bengali word meaning Friend of the Poor. While in India he helped foster understanding between Christians and Hindus and eventually supported Dalits in their movement to ban untouchability. With Gandhi he shared a deep commitment to non-violence.
I am highlighting Father Andrews today as an example to all Christians who feel that they are working towards justice against impossible odds. Alongside Ghandi and other Indians, Father Andrews stood against his own country in an interfaith coalition, fighting for systemic change and justice. While he is celebrated today, taking part in such a struggle at the time meant risking his reputation and status at home. He stood against an Empire and society that was built around providing him comfort and privilege yet turned his back on it to follow Christ. Father Andrew did not waver however, because he never focused on what he could lose, but rather he trusted Christ’s ability to heal and restore the world for all people. In the introduction to his book, What I Owe to Christ, he encouraged other Christians by saying:
“For Christ, our Lord and Master, seeks from us deeds, not words. Devotion to Him is, in the first place, not sentimental, but practical. The first act is to give up at His bidding what is personally known to be wrong, relying on His strength to reinforce our wills so that we are able to do what is right.”
As Christians we should remember Father Andrew’s words and example as we continue the struggle for justice, restoration, and healing in the world. American Christian’s specifically, who are worried about current events and the status of the Church in our country, should be willing to learn from his example by following Christ’s bidding to give up what we know to be wrong and let our deeds be more important than our words.
THE COLLECT
Gracious God, you called Charles Freer Andrews to show forth your salvation to the poor: By your Holy Spirit inspire in us a tender concern, a passionate justice, and an active love for all people, that there may be one Body and one Spirit in Jesus Christ, our Savior; who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
You can read the full lessons for Father Andrew’s Lesser Feast Day by clicking here.