Tag Archives: Cultural Diversity

Welcoming Cultures

Living in the Spirit
September 8, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 7:24-37

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.  –Mark 7:24-30

For me, this story from the life of Jesus epitomizes his experience of being fully human as we all must grow beyond our cultural limitations and into the wonderfully diverse world God created as the habitat we share with all God’s children. That does not mean that Jesus’ culture was good or bad. It was probably some of both as all cultures are. Some attributes stand the test of time and need to be saved and savored even shared with others. While some parts of every culture fade from existence as they tarnish with time. I am sure the same could be said for the Syrophoenician woman’s origin.

I just had lunch with a friend at one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants. I live a few blocks from the area in my city known as little Asia that abounds with Chinese and Vietnamese and Thai food. Several Mexican restaurants are close. That mix has become my culture.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. All these things refers to what we eat and drink and wear which take their proper place in a world seeking to love like Jesus loves.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessings that come from the rich experiences of shared culture. Free us from the fear that keeps us from exploring how others practice your love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Ignorance

Eastertide
April 10, 2018

Scripture Reading: Acts 3:12-19

‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, –Acts 3:17-19

There is book smart including Bible smart, life experience smart, street smart, gender-specific smart, minority smart and on and on. While we may possess great knowledge in one or two of these areas and those unnamed, few are expert in all. Several years ago, a candidate for Governor filmed a beautiful scene where he and his wife walk hand in hand gazing off toward the horizon across a pasture full of cattle with a message of hope. One farmer’s instant response was to say he would never vote for anyone who did not have sense enough to watch where he put his feet in a pasture full of cattle. Cattle are indiscriminate about where they leave usually large piles of manure.

How much of our attitudes and actions are based on ignorance? Do we assume that our understanding of the world is everyone else’s understanding of the world? How do we make amends for the times our ignorance has hurt another or caused dysfunction in a group? How can we be one in Christ when we see the world so differently?

Families of color teach their children how not to attract police attention and if they do, how they are to respond. I grew up in a remote rural area. While I was taught to be respectful of my elders, I do not remember any special instructions about my behavior around law enforcement. I was taught that when I spoke to someone I needed to look them directly in the eye as part of my being polite instructions. Not so with people of color.

There has recently been much to do about correct behavior during the singing of the National Anthem. Our National Anthem is a tribute to those who died for our freedom, freedoms that some still do not experience to this day. Its singing should be a time of soul searching for ways of carrying forward the ideals of our beginnings. I rarely attend sporting events, but we sing it routinely at the start of the Philharmonic program. One evening I noticed a couple visiting from another country sitting just in front of me stand but not sing or put their hands over their hearts during our National Anthem. I thought that was a very appropriate show of respect for the rituals of another culture. Would we have been as gracious in their homeland? Would we have even known that what was playing was their National Anthem?

The little things we do mean a lot. Being courteous does not take much effort but is appreciated. Taking the time and energy to learn about another culture so we can respect it make a big difference. Loving as Jesus loves is a good place to start.

Prayer:  Lord help me be aware of cultural differences and respectful of the ways of others. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Follow the Leader

In synch with GodEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 26, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: ‘If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.’ Then the Lord replied to me: ‘They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. — Deuteronomy 18:15-18

 Our scripture today are words shared by Moses as he instructs the Israelites on God’s response to their petition. Moses stipulates that the prophet to come must be like Moses himself. What were the characteristics of Moses?

  •  Moses was well acquainted with more than one culture before he was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He knew the Israelites through his birth parents, the Egyptians through his adopted parent, and the Midianites through his wife and her family.
  • Moses was not afraid to approach the unknown.
  • Moses worked well with a team of people. He could lead when he needed to lead, could support when that was called for, and could delegate after receiving some sage advice from his father-in-law.
  • Moses cared deeply about the people over whom he was given leadership.
  • Most importantly, Moses worked at staying in synch with God.

These are just a few characteristics but it is a nice list to consider as we are called to serve in any capacity. Of course, many see Christ as the prophet about which Moses was talking, and we are encouraged to emulate him especially.

Prayer: Lord you have sent many great leaders and prophets into the world to help us find our way to a closer relationship with you and to the furtherance of your Kingdom. Give us the courage to follow their examples. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.