Every year, as part of my Easter and Christmas observances, I watch Franco Zeffirelli's beautiful portrayal of the Christ story, "Jesus of Nazareth"
For me, the highlight of the six-hour miniseries is not the birth of Jesus, nor the performance of the miracles, nor the Crucifixion, nor the Resurrection. The highlight of the six-hour miniseries comes midway when Jesus is at the height of his ministry and delivers the Sermon on the Mount
I do not know why, but every time I listen to this portion, a chill runs up my spine.
However, it is only afterwards that I become a little bit disappointed because I know that this portrayal of the Sermon on the Mount is not accurate and that perhaps the most important part of Jesus' message was left off. Thus, when I began the Black Alumni Weekend Memorial Service in 2011, I wanted to make sure that the most important part of the message for Amherst Alumni be said. And so, at each Memorial Service I have someone read the following:
5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
*****
For most of the Memorial Service gatherings over the last ten years, I have turned to Antonio "Tony" Jackson (originally of the Class of 1976) to deliver the Sermon on the Mount. I have chosen Tony because for the last 50 years, he has been the Brother that I have depended on the most. As I recall, it was Tony who was the Minister of Resources on the day that Gerald Penny died and was responsible for opening up the Octagon (the building that now houses the Gerald Penny Cultural Center) to allow people to come together to discuss what had happened. I do know that during the difficult days that followed not only in 1973 but also in 1974, it was Tony who gave me the most solid support to deal with the troubling times. Based upon that history, it was natural that it would be Tony who I would ask to deliver the guiding scripture for The Memorial Service.
For those who do not know Tony, for me he has always been a doppelganger for Sidney Poitier. However, before some knee problems, he was also a pretty good basketball player. During his Amherst days, he was on the Amherst College basketball team with the Amherst icon who is the newly minted Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Dave Hixon. When the College recently named the basketball court in honor of Dave Hixon, Tony managed to bring three or four of his blood brothers to the ceremony. Tony was always not only a good teammate, he was also a good friend and a good brother.
For me, having Tony consent to read the Sermon on the Mount was always a profound spiritual experience because, in Tony, I have found one who has tried to live by the words that were being said.
I do not know what the future holds, but I hope that one day we will remember that
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
and that we convey that message to the young women and men who follow us. After all,
Terras Irradient,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Fairfield, California
September 14, 2023
P.S. One more note about Tony: Tony and I spent a couple of summers at Amherst College serving as counselors/teachers at the Springfield Amherst Summer Academy, a summer program that brought black kids from Springfield up to Amherst College for an educational enrichment program. Tony did a marvelous job with the kids, some of whom actually wound up going to Amherst College. He became a bit of historian for the program and maintains some of the photos taken during those times. When I think of those times and Tony's relationship with the students I am always reminded of my favorite movie made by his doppelganger and of this most iconic song;
Thank you, Tony, for everything you have done for so many for so long.
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