I've noticed that capacity to address the chronic problems associated with poverty and under-employment is not our problem in this country. Our problem is moral will and a commitment to justice.
Proof?
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees.
In Dallas the newcomers were able to find housing, food benefits, social services case management, health care, child care, pre-school slots and enrollment in our schools almost overnight, as compared to the experience of typical Dallas residents.
Vouchers for housing were awarded on the spot. Food stamp certification was expedited. Health care issues were handled. Children were lined up and cared for case-by-case in an amazing manner. Everything seemed to turn on a dime for the evacuees.
Churches mobilized like never before! One local minister commented, "We may need a disaster a month to keep the church engaged like this."
What is troubling is the fact that lots of capacity goes unused by those who need to tap into it because our system is not so responsive to the steady wind that blows through the lives of poor people every day in this city. Either by limiting the resources that could be made available to those who need them or by making access so difficult or both, the current system that claims to be designed to lift our most vulnerable citizens, conspires to keep them shut out and held back.
I know it is the same elsewhere.
Hmmm.
These two hurricanes were a wake-up call for our nation and churches. We need to repent and do better in following Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI wish he hadn't said "the poor you will always have with you." That seems to say there's no solution to poverty.
But we can and need to do better in caring for the needs of others, both in our laws and our hearts.
Thank you for being a voice in the desert to help us see outside ourselves.
Amy, I've thought many times about Jesus's comment, as well. And I agree with you. I think it's widely misinterpreted.
ReplyDeleteI think Judas's reaction has to be indicative of Jesus's and his disciples' normal m.o. Any other time, they would have sold it and given the money to the poor.
This shows us not that Christ thought the poor were a lost cause, but that they were regularly looking for ways to help.
I think it's also a good lesson that we not allow our desire and responsibilty to work social justice detract us from Jesus himself, from his desire that all know him as savior.
Yes, Brice. We also musn't let our desire to save the world in our Christian way detract us from actually doing the work of Christ and seeking justice for all.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for these posts.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be ringing my own bell here, but please go to the archives listing and check out the January 18, 2005 post entitled, "Our Entertaining Use of the Bible." There you will find some remarks on this matter of "the poor being with us always."
As you will see, Jesus is quoting Deut. 15:11 when he said that. The entire passage explains why the poor are still here--the failure of God's people to do God's will economically.
Read the text. It will really clarify what Jesus meant and what his disciples didn't get. I may post this entire entry again soon. It keeps coming up.
Maybe you should put a permanent link to it on the side? :)
ReplyDelete"For those who are about to reply 'But Jesus said that we'll always have the poor among us,' click here."
FYI, here is the direct link:
http://larryjamesurbandaily.blogspot.com/2005/01/our-entertaining-use-of-bible.html
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On a more serious note, I agree with what Jim Wallis said tonight: we worry too much about trying to change the leaders with their wet fingers in the air . . . we need to change the wind!