When I was ordained an itinerant deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, I participated in a century-old ceremony of receiving pastoral authority.
Similar to the traditions of many mainline denominations, the bishop of the church laid his hands upon my head and charged me to "take thou authority" -- to execute the office of deacon, including preaching, performing the sacraments and marrying and burying the beloved.
I understand the significance of this sacred moment in which ecclesiastical leaders seek to impart, through the gift of laying of hands, spiritual power into newly presented leaders of the church to carry out their Christian callings.
But, Scripture also acknowledges that all of Christ's disciples have a source of internal strength and spiritual gifts that can be activated by divine power.
In fact, years before Jesus gave his disciples "authority" at the mountainside before his ascension in Matthew 28 to proclaim the good news to all nations, he had given 72 followers the power to trample demons and walk over serpents.
So why, then, do the disciples need a second dose of power? Perhaps it was three years of ministry that included threats upon their lives and a deep sense of marginalization that made them easy prey to the power of the Roman government. The disciples felt powerless and afraid, especially when Jesus left them without his physical presence.
Powerlessness can be felt across the nation, as it usually is the intent of those in positions of power to make the subjected feel unempowered.
The end of Black History Month brings to mind rampant gun violence and low reading rates that continue to negatively and disproportionately effect African American youth. This can bring a feeling of powerlessness.
The high rise of the cost of housing that coincided with rapid gentrification of Charleston brings a level of deep concern and a feeling of powerlessness.
A sense of powerlessness can surely even be felt among middle class White families who have reason to be worried about the growing wealth gap existent here and in other major cities across the nation and who are also impacted by threats like flooding.
Powerlessness and the loss of an internal sense that you can overcome any obstacle is a tough burden to bear. But let us be encouraged by the words of Jesus, and take your power back.
The power to not accept what may be, but to spark a future that must be. All those who believe in purpose and that all people should be liberated from the shackles of oppression have been given the authority by Jesus to do what is necessary and loving to accomplish the task.
Rickey Ciapha Dennis Jr. worked as a metro beat reporter for The Post and Courier from 2018 to 2023, covering religion, the municipality of North Charleston and a wide range of other topics including race and history. He is an ordained minister who serves as the pastor of Mt. Pisgah AME in Ridgeville, a church committed to the physical, social and spiritual liberation of all people.