Tag Archives: Justice

Giving

Living in the Spirit
November 11, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:38-44

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’ –Mark 12:41-44

I was raised in a family that tithed according to the Old Testament tradition of setting aside 10% for the church. General budgeting benefits from setting aside projected amounts to assure that all needs are met as well as desired outcomes attained. On average, Christians give 2.5% of their income to churches. During the Great Depression, they gave 3.3%. (Nonprofit Source, 2018) People closer to a problem have a better understanding of the need.

I have come to an understanding of Jesus’ idea regarding budgeting dictates all our resources must be used in a manner that contributes to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God in our world today. I have yet to fully live up to that standard, but I do accept the challenge. Yes, I remain committed to giving a first offering to the church. I am also committed to seeing that my church uses its resources wisely.

In addition, I am working toward being far more conscious of how my spending habits impact others. Switching to total wind power or solar if your electric company offers it will reduce your carbon footprint. Buying Equal Exchange or other such program’s coffee and tea products in support of small farmers in the third world contributes to growing self-sufficiency in poverty-stricken areas. Investing savings in companies that care as much about ethical behavior as profit can help assure that employees are paid a living wage. This list could go on but the important thing to remember is being intentional about how we use our material resources as a part of our faith journey.

Prayer: Lord, open opportunities for better use of all my resources to your glory. 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.

Anxious Toil

Living in the Spirit
November 7, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house,
   those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
   the guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
   and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
   for he gives sleep to his beloved. –Psalm 127:1-2

I am writing this the day before the election when there is a lot of anxious toil. I am looking forward to the number of emails I get proclaiming if I do not send three dollars or twenty dollars or make the donation of my choice the world will come to an end. It will also be nice to listen to the news without having to hear hate-speech about one party or the other or one candidate or another. I do like some of the modern conveniences. One is the ability to record my favorite TV shows, so I can click through the ads without missing any of a program. I try not to pay attention to any ad that does not have a notation that the candidate being supported approved the message. We do need campaign finance reform.

I am writing this before I know the outcome of the election. That is probably why when I read the above scripture today, I took hope in the sentence, It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, –when anyone’s labors are not in synch with the will of God.

The election was yesterday, most results are finalized. We now know the shape and tenor of our governmental structures with which we must work for a time as we continue our journey in doing justice, showing mercy, and walking humbly with God*.  Our call is eternal and unchanging as is our source of strength.

I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ (John 16:33)

Prayer: Grant us your peace, O Lord, that we may serve you boldly with the fullness of faith. Amen.

*See Micah 6:8

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.

Sharing God’s Abundant Love

Living in the Spirit
November 4, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-34

The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbor as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question. –Mark 12:31-34

The quote that is burned into my brain following the Oklahoma City bombing is, “the first heart that broke was God’s”. I am sorry I do not remember who said it, but it often flashes through my mind on other occasions when hate destroys. We surely are breaking God’s heart as we dehumanize refugees, make them enemies rather than the frightened, desperate, starving people that they are. They are being used as political pawns. What would we do if we did not have food for our children and a safe place to live? What would we do if our young sons are being enticed into violent gang life? What would we do as our children die in our arms from diseases cause by the water we drink?

History tells us that we are all migrants even those who came to the Americas thousands of years ago. I was taught as a tiny child that God created the earth and all that is in it for the use of humans. The Bible in which I was schooled told me from both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament that we are to welcome the stranger and to love our neighbors. We all benefit from sharing God’s abundant love.

All who claim to be followers of God need to search our souls and determine if that is what we are doing. We need to do positive actions regarding all the peoples of the earth in sharing God’s abundant love. Accepting refugees and helping them acclimate to a new culture. Working to improve life in people’s homelands awash in discord is another. If possible, we should do both. There is no room for hate or bigotry or violence in any response by followers of God.

Prayer: Lord, open doors of understanding that we might make Christlike decisions regarding our welcoming strangers and loving our neighbors. 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.

Dead Works or Worship?

Living in the Spirit
November 2, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:11-14

But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

My congregation was recently invited to participate in an ecumenical resettlement of refugee families and agreed to participate. We anticipated the assignment of our first family in a few weeks and were startled to get the call that the family would be here in a week. I think we must have felt like a couple whose first child arrived a few weeks early. While rushing about to prepare a home for the new arrivals, I suddenly realized I felt really good about being a part of a team doing something really good in our work toward building the inclusive community of God.

As one who devotes much of my time to justice work that often feels like beating one’s head against a brick wall, small victories can be exhilarating. The task of staying in the trenches, dedicating ourselves to fostering the Kingdom of God truly requires us to continually purify our conscience(s) from dead works to worship the living God. A lot of the work needed to make this world a better place to live might be classified as mundane, routine but never dead. People who stuff backpacks of food to send home from school with children every Friday because it has been determined that the school lunch program is their primary or perhaps the only source of food may seem like busywork. Tutoring adults to prepare them to take the GED test can be tedious for both the student and the tutor. Working for ten years to change state rules regarding improved quality child care seemed hopeless, like beating one’s head against a brick wall. until it passed.

The sustaining presence of the Spirit of God undergirding the Kingdom building work we do is paramount in purifying our conscience and keeping us focused on the ultimate goal of realizing Christ’s vision of Shalom throughout the world.

Prayer: Lord, continuously purify our consciences keeping us on the path of love you modeled for us as we traverse difficult pathways. 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.

Discerning Mercy and Justice

Living in the Spirit
October 27, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

When Bartimaeus asks Jesus, Son of David, have mercy* on me! what is he requesting? Strong’s Concordance says mercy or pity means to show mercy as God defines it, i.e. as it accords with His truth (covenant) which expresses “God’s covenant-loyalty-mercy” (i.e. acting only on His terms).

Bartimaeus was a blind beggar. My first reaction, if I had heard that cry was that he was asking for money. Jesus did not assume that and inquired, “what do you want?” Bartimaeus’ heartfelt, audacious answer was ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus healed him carrying out mercy as God defined it.

As followers of Christ, we are called to show mercy and to discern what God’s mercy is in relation to the many justice issues with which we are challenged. In the history of God, mercy always seems linked to justice. Mercy often demands intermediate, sshort-termresponses to long-term systemic problems. Feeding one who is hungry is a necessary short-term response; justice strives for a world where everyone has enough to eat. Jesus could have dropped coins in Bartimaeus’ cup and walked on but he took the time to discern the real problem and addressed it. As the Body of Christ active today, we are called to discern both God’s definition of mercy and justice and work toward their fruition throughout our world.

Such discernment is one of the guides we need to consider as we make our decision during the mid-term elections. There are no easy answers to solve the issues that we face. If ever there was a time to seek God’s definition of mercy and justice, it is now. Is that not always the truth in all “nows”?

Prayer: My teacher, let me see now your mercy and your justice and how they fit into my duties as a citizen of this nation. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/1653.htm

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.

Run and Not Grow Weary

Living in the Spirit
October 19, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. –Hebrews 5:7-10

Scriptures tell us that Jesus routinely took time to pray. Being guided through constant communion with God through the Holy Spirit is the most important action we can take as we advocate for the oppressed and others, such as children, who cannot speak for themselves. God’s presence with us in our advocacy provides hope when there seems to be none, opens doors that may have been sealed shut for years, and gives energy when mental and sometimes physical fatigue otherwise would overcome us.

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
   they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Prayer: In the quietness of this moment, we invite you to fill our souls with your love as you enable us to love others through our advocacy. 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.

Picking Leaders

Living in the Spirit
October 18, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
   today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest forever,
   according to the order of Melchizedek.’ –Hebrews 5:1-6

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.“*

Referring to the scripture above we might ask what is in a title? Christ as High Priest is an example to emulate as is Melchizedek. Other High Priests are not considered good role models**. The same could be said for the title “politician” in our times. Politician is not a derisive title. Having served many years as a politician does not mean one is corrupt. Listening to the adds on TV during this campaign season we are fed a negative opinion of politicians. Abraham Lincoln was a stealthy politician holding the USA together when it was nearly severed. Franklin Roosevelt too was a seasoned politician guiding our country out of the depression and World War II. They neither were perfect but they both dedicated their lives to the Common Good and moved our country forward despite its dire situations. Both men in very real ways gave their lives for our country. Lincoln was assassinated, and Roosevelt finally wore himself out.

Titles do not define people; people give credence to titles. Christ set a high standard for all who serve in the ministry he began with his life, death, and resurrection. Just as we desire that all who follow Christ add value to the coming of God’s Kingdom, we want all our political leaders to add value to the governance of our cities, counties, states, and nation. Christ is a reflection of God who sent him unto us to be our High Priest. Are our political leaders a reflection of us, since we are the ones who select them?

Prayers: Lord, guide our discernment as we select leaders for our country in our upcoming election?

*From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2) by William Shakespeare
**See Jeremiah 5:31 or Hosea 5:1

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.

Defrauding Rights

Living in the Spirit
October 13, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17-31

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. –Mark 10:17-22

I do not know how many times I have read the scripture above, but I never noted the “you shall not defraud” phrase until this reading. Truth be told once I read “you shall not murder”, I probably always keyed into my brain Ten Commandments and sped read through the rest of them without much thought. After all, I learned the Ten Commandments in grade school.  On this reading, the first thing I noted is all the Ten Commandments are not listed. The second, is that not defrauding, as far as I can tell, is not among the Ten Commandments. The overflow of information with which we must deal may be impacting our intake of needed information, but that is not what I want to write about today.

The word translated from the Greek as defraud means: keep away from someone, i.e. by defrauding (depriving); to cheat, taking away what rightfully belongs to someone else*. Voting is a right of citizenship in the USA but voting restrictions may be tipping the scale against certain populations to register or making difficult if not impossible to vote. Is that a case of defrauding? What about tax breaks that are available only to the rich? What about insurance clauses limiting coverage for pre-existing conditions? And I guess the real question is, when our government of the people, for the people, and by the people write laws and regulations that keep something away from someone are we the people held responsible for that action by God?

I am a firm supported of the separation of church and state. I do not want the government to require me to follow a specific religion or for that matter any part of a specific religion and I want to be allowed to practice the faith of my choice without government interference with few exceptions, for example law enforcement should intervene to prevent someone from blowing up a building as a practice of their religion.

There is, however, a difference between the separation of church and state and the separation of faith and values. Our faith values can and should be the driving force behind how we support or oppose governmental laws and regulations and how we vote.

Prayer: God of Justice, forgive me when I have defrauded anyone of anything that was rightfully theirs including rights related to citizenship. Amen.

* https://biblehub.com/greek/650.htm

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.

Correcting our Ways

Living in the Spirit
October 11, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. –Hebrew 4:12-13

Many, at least in the USA, are living in a steady state of denial. The stock market is rising, and unemployment is low, so all musts be well, right? But all is not well. Our national debt is growing. I heard on the news this morning that scientist estimate that climate change will be unredeemable (my word not theirs) in ten years if we do not start immediately to curtail its development. While unemployment may be low, more and more people are not earning a living wage. The middle class is shrinking as are its values of fairness, hard work, and self-actualization. I grow weary of the daily reports of children and youth shooting each other or assaulting one another. The attitude that all is fair if one can get away with it is prevalent. How many young frat boys are going to drink themselves to death before that attitude loses its allure? Bullying is almost normal behavior any more.

Of course, it is not just children and youth caught in this cycle. They have some excellent role models for inappropriate behavior among adults caught in road rage or our leaders setting terrible examples. I thought about contacting my local TV station and asking them not to broadcast such inappropriate behavior until the 10:00 pm news so children would be less likely to be influenced by it.

God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart and does. God is holding each of us responsible for our actions particularly those that denigrate others and particularly those that set bad examples for children.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fail to love one another as you would have us do. Prick our consciences with that double-edged sword each time we step away from your righteousness until we correct our ways. 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.

Sexual Assault

Living in the Spirit
October 5, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12

 ‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   or mortals, that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
   you have crowned them with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under their feet.’

 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ –Hebrews 2:6b-8, 10-12

Sexual assault and its ramifications are currently in every news report. Of course, sexual assault is not about sex. It is about lust for power and fulfilling some primal need to gain power through violence. It is about trying to prove oneself by meeting some unwritten code that threads through our society. It is the opposite of understanding that all people are created in the image of God and thus each person is a person of worth deserving the respect and dignity that comes with being a child of God. Such respect and dignity including the right of everyone to control the sanctity of their own bodies should be encoded into the character of every child by the time they reach kindergarten. That clearly has not been the outcome in child rearing and education in our culture today.

I heard comments several times this week all from males, that we are ruining people’s lives, primarily the lives of male perpetrators, by bringing up sexual assault issues from their distant pasts. I also heard many testimonies from victims of how their lives were ruined by sexual assault. As a strong supporter of restorative justice, I do not want anyone’s life ruined. The best way to prevent that from happening is to work intentionally toward removing the cultural norms from our society that encourage lust for power fulfilled through violence and measures of self-worth that denigrate. Such changes must start at birth and continue throughout life.

Beyond prevention, perpetrators must acknowledge their past and present actions that caused harm to others and work not only to make amends for them but to clear the ideas that reinforced the behaviors from their way of being. Victims must seek help as needed to return to becoming the person they were created to be.

Prayer: Lord, I sometimes wonder why we humans work so hard at building our own set of values by which to measure our success when you provide a framework for loving that includes all we need to succeed. Clean our mental an spiritual filters so we can be filled with your ways. 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.