Tag Archives: Society’s sin

Put No One to Shame

street-walkers--large-msg-131698045014Advent
November 25, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-10

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
   do not let me be put to shame;
   do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
   let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.  

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long. –Psalm 25:1-5

I have been following the trial of a police officer here in Oklahoma City in recent days accused of committing various sexual assaults, including rape, on 13 different women. All of the alleged victims have criminal records mostly prostitution and involvement with drugs. The allegations are that he not only sexually assaulted them but did so in exchange for not arresting them for real or fabricated crimes. Several of the victims never complained but came forward after one did. The primary reason for not coming forward was shame. Shame is defined as a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety in one’s own behavior or position or in the behavior or position of a closely associated person or group*. The defense in the case is highlighting the checkered past of each victim to question their veracity I suppose—more likely to taint the jury’s opinion of their worth.

I must tell you I have experience some shame as I followed this case. Why were there 13 women living in despair so vulnerable to the threats of the streets, in a city with about 600 Christian churches along with a sprinkling of mosques, Jewish congregations, and a variety of eastern religions? Are we perpetrators of their shame? Are we doing everything we can to assure that all in society have an equal chance to succeed?

Our responsibility as a society starts with at least the provision of adequate prenatal care; continues through quality health care and early childhood education, K through 12 educations, and job training; and living wages for all families so they can provide food, clothing, and shelter for themselves. We need to assure that every little girl, little boys too, can grow up to become healthy, whole adults with enough self-confidence and self-reliance to face their enemies and not be put to shame.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in shaping a society that provides the tools for all its people to become fully what You created them to be. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Shame

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.

Love One Another

love-one-anotherLiving in the Spirit
June 23, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

How the mighty have fallen
   in the midst of the battle!  

Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
   I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
   your love to me was wonderful,
   passing the love of women. –2 Samuel 25-26

It has happened again, another mass murder. This time in a beloved church. This time at a Bible study. Nine people were killed all precious in the sight of God and certainly to their loved ones. The Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, the Senior Minister at the church, was one of the victims. He was also a state senator and a valued leader for such a time as this.

Jonathan was a valued person to David. Jonathan was the natural person to follow his father Saul to become king, but unlike his father, Jonathan apparently saw and supported the potential in David as king. Caught between two beloved people, he protected David and served his father to his death,  too. He indeed was a much loved brother by choice not by chance and son.

What have we done to our children that they feel the need to kill senselessly? And yes I do think society needs to own this problem, not just the family, not just the community. We say one thing and live another. We ignore burgeoning mental health issues, rationing services. I do not know about South Carolina where this mass murder took place, but in Oklahoma only 25% of the needed mental health professionals are available and most people could not afford the services, if they existed. And we worship at the foot of exceptionalism while proclaiming all people were created in God’s image.

We serve a risen Savior who is in the world today and who 2000 years ago gave us the solution to our society’s shortcomings today. He called us to love one another.

Prayer: God forgive us for our separation from you that causes us to live outside your love. Make us whole. Make us one. 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.