Charity vs Justice

MTR Jeff St, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

My church and other churches in our city are part of a Direct Action Justice group called CLOUT (Citizens of Louisville, United and Organized Together). The premise of these sorts of organizations is that churches/faith groups are called to at least three things: Do Justice, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with God (the reference being to a passage from the book of the prophet, Micah, in the Old Testament of the Bible).

As I've pointed out in the past on these pages, we tend to think that the church does at least a passing decent job of Loving Mercy - of doing acts of loving charity for those in need. We don't do it completely and we spend an AWFUL lot of money on things that are not acts of charity (bigger buildings, softer pews, larger parking lots, etc), but we at least take it seriously, by and large.

Churches also, perhaps primarily, focus on walking humbly with God - ie, seeking after God's Ways, worshiping God, etc. While perhaps not always humbly, one can see that churches at least try to do this part of "being Church."

On the other hand, we tend to rarely think about or do much about "doing justice." What acts of Justice do you see churches involved in? Many churches were involved in the civil rights movement, right? Okay, that's a good one from decades past. What else? Some of us have taken part in protesting unjust wars, although that's probably a minority group.

What else?

...

Exactly. We just don't focus on Doing Justice, collectively as church.

For most churches, I'd hazard to guess that they don't really even give much thought to what that would be.

As part of our local organizing, we had a meeting this week and we were pointed to a good biblical contrast between justice work and charity work that I liked enough to want to pass on. Consider the biblical stories of the Good Samaritan and Moses, Egypt and the Children of Israel:

In Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, the titular Samaritan happened upon an Israeli man (keeping in mind that Samaritans were the bitterly hated enemy of Israel and the feeling was mutual) who had been beaten, robbed and left for dead. What did the Samaritan do? The Samaritan went to him (keeping in mind that a Jewish priest and then a Levite passed by him without stopping to help the wounded man), bound up his wounds, carried him to town, took him to an inn and left him in the care of the innkeeper, paying the innkeeper for doing so. Truly, a good Samaritan.

This is an act of charity - he saw someone in immediate, obvious, desperate need and he met those needs.

In the OT story of Moses, the nation of Israel was enslaved and worked harshly by the Egyptians. Moses began a process of appealing to Pharoah to do the right thing and release the children of Israel from slavery to freedom. Moses and the Israelites were met with great opposition to such a crazy idea (why would Egypt release their work force, changing the system on which they relied?), but eventually, by increasing pressure on Egypt, Pharoah relented and Israel was set free at last, free at last.

This is an act of Justice - Moses and his crew of collaborators saw a systemic injustice, in this case at the national level, and they began a process of applying pressure to the powers that be to secure justice for an oppressed people.

Acts of charity and acts of justice are both needed, both biblical, both part of what we should be doing. If there is someone in immediate, pressing need, taking action to meet that need is a reasonable act of mercy, of charity.

If there is a problem of oppression or other injustice needing a systemic change, working non-violently to secure agreement to a just solution is a reasonable act of justice.

Acts of charity tend to be (although aren't always) smaller, specific, on-going, responses to crises situations. They can be done individually or as a community response.

Acts of justice tend to be (although aren't always) larger, specific, completed, thought-through responses to RESOLVE crises situations. They tend to be done (by necessity) by groups, rather than individuals.

Why is it that despite the models found in the bible, faith groups (and others) tend to shy away from the Call to Do Justice? Is it because doing charity "feels good," and there's an relatively easy personal investment? "Oh, that child needs food, I'll send money so they can get food." Boom! Problem solved! Done and done.

Like that?

Whereas working for just solutions to problem situations requires more thought, more effort and more organization? And it's not always clear what the best, most just answer is, right? And even when you figure out something to do, people will criticize you for being too "confrontational..."? As Brazilian Archbishop Helder Camara said, "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me communist..."

Of course, doing acts of charity can be involved and require great personal effort and sacrifice, too. This is in no way to criticize acts of charity. The point is, we need both. It simply isn't enough to do charity and leave justice alone. And doing charity is not the same as doing justice.

It just seems like justice should have equal effort applied as our works for charity. After all, oh humanity, what are we called to do but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God?

Poetry and Prose and Professors

Christmas Lights, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

I ran into an old teacher of mine yesterday. Lee Pennington was a professor at the Junior College I once attended (and a former Kentucky Poet Laureate!). I had him for a creative writing course probably back in 1992. It was a class I enjoyed tremendously.

In seeing him, I was suddenly shaken to realize what an incredible impact this teacher had upon my life. Before that class, I did not write. Oh, the occasional letter or other functional sort of writing, sure, but otherwise, I just did not write. Not for pleasure, not for reflection, not for joy, not for communication of ideas, not for discipline... nothing.

On the other hand, since that class, I have written nearly continuously. Hundreds (thousands?) of poems, stories, essays, reflections and not a few silly limericks have crept out of this mind and these hands in the years since taking his class. This blog, for instance. Or poetry and songs for worship and reflection in my own life and at my church.

This poor writer has even been published in a magazine, newspaper and book or two over the years.

Now, all of that is not to say that I've become a good writer (there is too much evidence to the contrary to suggest that), but for better or worse, I am a writer... it is part of my self-identity, of who I consider myself to be.

And prior to meeting this man - this great teacher - and taking his class, receiving his criticism and supportive encouragement, that was not who I was.

Not only that, but I don't think it's too far a stretch to say that my writing life and example has, in turn, influenced my children - at least a little bit - to be readers and writers, themselves, and now, they are writing songs and in a band with a CD produced by a local record label and are making appearances at concerts, on TV and on the radio.

And the thing that struck me was, prior to seeing Mr Pennington yesterday, it had not sunk in what a greatly profound impact he has had - continues to have - upon my life.

After seeing him and briefly saying Hi and introducing myself, we parted ways again. After this divergence is when his impact upon my life began roaming large through my mind and it saddened me that I didn't tell him that. The more I thought about it, the more it troubled me.

And so, I began looking for him, tracking him down again and ran up to tell him...

"Mr Pennington, Hi again. You know, I just wanted to say what an impact you made on my life. I... I just wanted to let you know, I still write, all the time, and I owe it to you. Thanks for all that you are and have been to people like me over the years..."

Or words to that effect. He probably gets that all the time.

Or at least, I hope he does.

Thanks be for all of those who give of their lives to teach others.

Just because...

All You Need..., a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

Wisdom randomly snatched here and there from the Book of James

Consider it all joy, my dear ones,
when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, simply ask of God,
who gives to all generously and without reproach,
and it will be given to them.

The sister or brother of humble circumstances is to
glory in their high position;
and the rich ones are to
glory in their humiliation,
because like flowering grass
they will pass away.

For the sun rises with a scorching wind
and withers the grass;
and its flower falls off
and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed;

so too the rich ones in the midst of their pursuits will fade away...


Let no one say when they are tempted,

“I am being tempted by God”;

for God cannot be tempted by evil,
and God's own Self

does
not
tempt
anyone.

But each one is tempted when they are carried away
and enticed by their own lust.

Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth
death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved family...

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is
from above,
coming down from the Creator of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow...

This you know, my beloved family.
But everyone must be quick to hear,
slow to speak and
slow to anger;
for the anger of humanity does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness
and all that remains of wickedness,
in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

But prove yourselves
doers of the word,
and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
they are like one who looks at their natural face in a mirror;
for once they have looked at themselves and gone away,
they have immediately forgotten what kind of person they were.

But one who looks intently at the perfect law,

the law of liberty,

and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer,
they will be blessed in what they do.

Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let them show it by their good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But where you have envy and selfish ambition,
there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all
pure;
then peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive,
full of mercy
and good fruit,
impartial
and sincere.

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.


If anyone THINKS they are religious,

and yet

does not bridle their tongue but deceives their own heart,
this person’s religion is

worthless.

With the tongue we praise our Lord God,
and with it we
curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

My brothers and sisters,

This. Should. NOT. Be.


Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their distress,
and to keep oneself unstained by the world...

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone
claims
to have faith but has no deeds?

Can such faith save them?

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

If one of you says to them,

“Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,”

but does nothing about their physical needs,

what good is it?

In the same way, faith by itself,
if it is not accompanied by action, is
dead.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:
Has not God chosen those who are poor
in the eyes of the world

to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom God promised...?

But you have dishonored the poor.

Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Are they not the ones who are
blaspheming
the noble name of God, to whom you belong?

Now listen, you rich people,
weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you!

Your wealth has rotted,
and moths have eaten your clothes.
Your gold and silver are corroded.
Their corrosion will testify against you and
eat
your
flesh
like
FIRE.

You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Look!
The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields
are crying out against you.
The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

You [rich ones] have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.
You [rich ones] have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
You [rich ones] have condemned and murdered the innocent one,
who was not opposing you.



Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister
or judges them speaks
against the law
and judges it.

When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,
but sitting in judgment on it.

Speak and act as those who are going to be
judged by the law that gives

freedom,

because judgment without mercy will be
shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT!

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,
the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you

who are you to judge your neighbor?

?!

Don’t grumble against one another,
brothers and sisters,
or you WILL be judged.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.

God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.

Peace, Sweet Peace

Gull, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

As I walked to work, I came upon a genie's bottle
(or, if you prefer, a djinn's bottle)
and I invited the genie out.

He asked me what three wishes I'd like to make. I couldn't quite hear what he said though, as a car went roaring by.

"I wish all cars were silent"
I complained.

And instantly, cars everywhere stopped in their tracks.

The constant roar of the freeway - ominous and everpresent - chuttered down to a whimper, then a whisper.

The teenaged rattling boombox car fizzled and became moot. And mute.

The zipping, clipping, clunking, junking, greasy-mouthed yelling of cars battling down the streets around me
all
just
stopped

And there was silence.

It was an accident, but a happy one and I let that wish stand just as it was.

With the carrumble ended, I can hear the wind sweetly gossiping with the birds in the trees who, in turn, spread the good news to the squirrels and they chatter away unencumbered by the Everpresent Noise. It's incredibly...

deep...

how full and rich and complete
the peace has become
now that cars - and their noise - are gone.



Some have since argued, "Why couldn't the wish have been granted by simply magically making cars silent when they ran, rather than actually stopping cars from running?"

And I have replied, "just because... that's the way of wishes. They tend to have unintended consequences."

But I'm not complaining in this case, nor am I wishing away my wish.

I still have two wishes. The first worked out so well, I thought I'd stop while I was ahead... although, I'm giving a great deal of serious thought to the whole Airplane Conundrum.

For those who wish to complain about the whole no-car thing, I wish you'd take it up with the genie rather than me.

Thanks.

Since Then

Mother Berry Statue, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

I found myself among the trees
What time the reapers ceased to reap;
And in the sunflower-blooms the bees
Huddled brown heads and went to sleep,
Rocked by the balsam-breathing breeze.

I saw the red fox leave his lair,
A shaggy shadow, on the knoll;
And tunneling his thoroughfare
Beneath the soil, I watched the mole--
Stealth's own self could not take more care.

I heard the death-moth tick and stir,
Slow-honeycombing through the bark;
I heard the cricket's drowsy chirr,
And one lone beetle burr the dark--
The sleeping woodland seemed to purr.

And then the moon rose: and one white
Low bough of blossoms--grown almost
Where, ere you died, 'twas our delight
To meet,--dear heart!--I thought your ghost....
The wood is haunted since that night.

A poem by Madison Cawein, Kentucky poet, 1865-1914

Preventing Violence

New Years Princess, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

President Obama is looking at trying to find ways to prevent/mitigate acts of mass violence following this latest school shooting. It is a lofty goal to try to figure out ways to prevent such tragedies when they happen (and even better to try to find ways to prevent them BEFORE they happen).

Having said that, what I've heard mostly coming from him thus far appears to be focusing primarily on gun-restriction-themed solutions. I am no gun advocate, and don't have a problem with dealing with the firearms angle of this problem, but I hope he doesn't end his efforts there.

What I've heard thus far mentioned is something about limiting the number of bullets that can be stored in a clip. That might help reduce the damage done, but beyond that, it wouldn't serve to stop the assaults in any significant way.

I'm wondering what else can be done - what ideas are being floated (or are not being floated but ought to be) to deal with our murder rate and acts of violence in our nation.

I would think it is important to keep in mind that there are multiple aspects/types of violence and each might have different approaches to reduce the harm - mass violent acts done by disturbed individuals like in Connecticut are one type and they tend to get the most coverage at any one time, but there are other types of violence (local crime-directed violence, local drug-crime violence, spousal/familial violence, etc) and they are the ones with the overall greater impact on society.

Some suggestions/approaches I think we should be looking at would include...

* increasing support for/awareness of mental health concerns;

* increase educational/awareness/preventative efforts at combating spouse/familial abuse; increase support for families in general;

* end the war on drugs;

* improve efforts at rehabilitating former convicts... having job opportunities so that they don't return to a life of crime is a big deal;

* encourage stronger communities, more "porch-time," more people walking/less driving (violence that occurs in urban settings are often crimes of opportunity - if more people were walking and otherwise outside and there were fewer times of isolation, there'd be less opportunities for random violent acts) - these actions can be done at the individual level, but support at the community level - gov't and private - would improve the approach;

* review how weapons of mass destruction/firearms wind up in the hands of the mentally disturbed and find ways to decrease those opportunities;

* this is a rather complex issue involving multiple concerns of liberty - for one thing, a person may acquire firearms while they're not exhibiting signs of mental disturbance... how can we respect patient privacy and yet find ways of raising red flags when a person is experiencing a lack of control and move to remove weaponry from their reach? I don't know that anything is currently in place to deal with this and would be open to ideas;

...for starters. Does anyone else have sound ideas of places to start and solutions to implement?

Old Barn, by Gordon Trabue

Old Barn, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

The picture above is a pen and ink drawing my father did a few years ago. Since he's retired, he's turned to art as a productive past time.

As a young man, he studied art in school and did some incredible work, including an amazing life-sized painting of Christ in the Clouds behind a baptismal pool in a Baptist church in rural Kentucky. He recently visited the church and it's still there.

Following college, life, work and raising six sons (as well as being unofficial parents, friends and mentors to dozens - hundreds - of young people) took up my parents' life, and that was time well-spent, I'm sure they'd say.

But since retiring (off and on, roughly 15 years ago), it has allowed my parents some time to travel and my father some time to draw. Mainly, pen and ink drawings like the one above.

He's drawn sketches of all the covered bridges in Kentucky and Indiana... these have been his main subject. But he's also done sketches of old barns, lighthouses and other interesting roadside views.

Dad's had Parkinson's Disease for over ten years, but it's always been a mild case and only slowed him down a little. He still was able to draw, to paint, to travel and do what he and Mom pleased.

Over the last year, they've finally had to start slowing down significantly and this has been difficult for them. The good side of it, though, is that it has pushed me to be more involved in their lives. Me, my brothers, cousins, nephews and nieces are all taking time to spend with these wonderful people and being thankful for the gift of Bill and Mary to this world.

I have long had a thing for old barns and structures that stand by slow, abandoned roads, being claimed by time and nature. I can hardly pass by fields and forests haunted by past lives and buildings without wanting to stop and investigate. Many times, the desire to get out and walk around and breathe in this common history wins out and I do just that.

In my increased time with my parents of late, I realize anew that I come by my love of nature and traveling small old roads by way of an inheritance from my Mom and Dad. Just another way they have been a blessing in my life and, I know, the lives of many others.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Three Things to Remember

Lorelei Caroline Dancing, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

As long as you're dancing, you can break the rules.

Sometimes breaking the rules is just extending the rules.

Sometimes there are no rules.

~Mary Oliver, from her book of poetry, A Thousand Mornings.

Angels, We Have Heard

Music from my church this week.

Happy, Holy Days, all.

Scary Santa

Donna Scary Santa, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

I've had a busy month, with my dear old father being seriously ill. Nothing outstanding to post today, just a fun photo of my wife Donna as a child with her brother and Santa (or is it SATAN??)

Any prayers and good thoughts sent towards my beloved parents (who will be celebrating their 63rd anniversary next Valentines Day) during this time are appreciated.

Peace and goodwill to all.

Wisdom...

Cattails, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

Some quotes from the Persian poet, Hafiz...

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.
I would like to see you living
In better conditions...

Sometimes I say to a poem,

"I don't have the strength
To wring out another drop
Of the sun."

And the poem will often
Respond

By climbing onto a barroom table:

Then lifts its skirt, winks,
Causing the whole sky to
Fall...

Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut you more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few humans and even divine ingredients can. Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft, my voice so tender, my need for God absolutely clear...

now is the season to know that everything you do is sacred

This
Path to God
Made me such an old sweet beggar.

I was starving until one night
My love tricked God Himself
To fall into my bowl.

Now Hafiz is infintely rich,
But all I ever want to do

Is keep emptying out
My emerald-filled
Pockets

Upon
This tear-stained
World...

The words you speak become the house you live in.

Happy Holiday Season, everyone!

Ordinary Extraordinary Days

In the Church Calendar, the time between Easter and Advent is traditionally called "Ordinary Time." At our church, we often use this time period to bring to mind how we can find God in the Ordinary moments and events of each of our lives.  To that end, our dear friend, Kate, wrote a song to celebrate Ordinary Time. She borrowed the chorus from a traditional Arabic hymn sung in Moroccan churches (and perhaps elsewhere).

The translation of the chorus is...

You are magnificent, magnificent, magnificent, O God.
Magnificent in your loving,
in your faithfulness,
in your liberating,
also in your healing, also in your healing

Kate and friends played/sang the song yesterday, accompanied by this slide show, showing moments from our every day lives here in the US, in Morocco, in Mexico and Guatemala. The photos came from our friends here and in these various places around the world.

As Ordinary Time draws to a close and we begin the Advent season, may we always have eyes to see God in the Ordinary.