Reflect ‘Christ-consciousness’ by continuing mission (300 hits)
By Ashahed M. Muhammad Assistant Editor Updated Dec 22, 2008, 03:54 pm
CHICAGO (FinalCall.com) - Continuing his recent theme of “A New Beginning” the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan delivered a message of spiritual enlightenment at Christ Universal Temple on Chicago’s far south side. Despite temperatures in the teens and wind chill in the single digits, members of the congregation and many visitors filled the church to hear the message from the spiritual leader who has spoken at the church many times throughout the years.
After a gracious introduction by N’Digo magazine publisher Hermene Hartman, Minister Farrakhan praised the work of his longtime friend, the Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon who founded the Christ Universal Temple at a time when most religious denominations would not even allow women to enter into ministry.
“This blessed woman who has been with this institution now 52-years has finished a course and when one has labored as she has labored and loved, and she has loved, and suffered and she has suffered to bring us what we have and to bring us where we are, the greatest honor that we could give to such a marvelous woman in her absence from us is to constantly keep her in our remembrance in a very special way.”
Using the example of the ministry of Jesus, Min. Farrakhan described the unfortunate way that many religious organizations and movements become “personality cults” instead of internalizing the foundational principles taught by the religious leader. Min. Farrakhan added that it is not about simply being a follower; it is also about accepting the mission and building upon the foundation once the spiritual leader is no longer present.
“When Jesus was among us, his mission on Earth had a time limit. He knew the season. He knew the time that he would no longer be among the people. So all during his ministry, he was preparing those who would carry on his work after he was gone,” said the Minister. “Sometimes, when a great one has been and is among us, we get addicted to a personality and that can become dangerous in a sense because then we form sometimes what is called a ‘personality cult.’ They thought that way about Jesus because his personality was so strong, so vibrant, so magnificent that he was like a magnet drawing people out of the world to his ministry, to his mission, not just to his personality; but to his mission.”
Minister Farrakhan encouraged the members of Christ Universal Temple to continue to build on the foundation that Dr. Colemon has laid by continuing the work and service to the people, always remembering the sacrifices that were made to bring them to this day. Speaking to those in spiritual leadership, the Minister advised them to consider how well they have prepared others for their eventual departure.
Ending his hour-long message, the Minister encouraged those listening and viewing to prepare for progress by moving into “Christ-consciousness” by “walking in his footsteps.” This is done by reflecting Christ-like actions in our communities and by providing service to our people.
“We’ve got a job to do now,” said the Minister. “The whole world is looking now to us and we must rise up so that the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of our God and His Christ.”
“The new beginning messages by Minister Farrakhan are on time because it is written that all things would be made new,” said hip hop artist K-Rino who viewed the message via webcast along with a packed house at Houston’s Muhammad Mosque No. 45. “No matter if I’m in the Third Ward (in Houston) or across seas, I feel obligated not to sit on what I have learned from him,” he added.
Reflecting the thoughts of many of the student ministers from around the country who traveled to Chicago to hear Min. Farrakhan in person, student minister Richard Muhammad who leads Muhammad Mosque No. 18 in Cleveland said he felt blessed to be able to “bear witness” and “be awash in the spirit” of the divine man who is his teacher and mentor.
“It gives us inspiration that there is yet still hope and we are encouraged to keep going along the road and perhaps one day to arrive at that point where we can be recognized and be accepted by such a master as a disciple. Because all of us are students in this class,” said Brother Richard. “To be able to watch the Minister as he so wonderfully and masterfully weaved the word of God to feed each and every soul and spirit, it is just a beautiful thing,” he added.
