A Fire That Builds: Easter Reflections from the City of Gold
To the People of the City of Lancaster,
You may not celebrate Easter, but I just experienced my first Holy Week with Bethel AME, and I want to share something with you.
One of the most misunderstood and misused books of the Bible, is also one of my favorites: the Book of Jeremiah. In it, I find words that resonate deeply with my calling, my doubts, and my mission. I return often to this passage, Jeremiah 1:5-10, The Call of Jeremiah:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’
You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
The Lord knew me before I was formed in the womb. He knew my mother had a choice, and still, He sent me forth with fire in my lungs and purpose in my heart.
It is a holy fire, not meant to burn the city down, but to refine it. To make it clean. To challenge what needs to be torn down, and to lay the foundation for what must be built up.
I know what some say: that I’m a reactionary clown. I don’t fault them. They are united in their hatred for me, and I welcome it. It is not easy to see what’s directly beneath your feet and in your hands when you’re taught to look elsewhere. But I see it clearly; the City of Gold isn’t a legend. It’s not far away. It’s right here in Lancaster. It’s in our people, our stories, our neighborhoods. It’s in the fire we carry together.
That’s why I turn also to the Gospel of Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Lancaster, we are the light of the world.
There will be no bowl covering this place. We will not cower. We will not bend the knee to fear or threats about losing federal or state funds. Our decisions will not be made under the shadow of fear, but in the light of faith—in each other, in this city, and in the work we must do.
We will show the world the strength of our community. And yes, all will bear witness to the great things we can achieve together.
Whether or not you celebrated Easter this weekend, I hope you have peace. I’m grateful to be part of your community. Thank you for being part of mine, no matter where you are from, because as Philippians 3:20 tells us, “But our [true] citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
With fire and faith,
Tony Dastra, the next Mayor of Lancaster
