This Sunday, I will baptize our granddaughter, Milla (Meela). This holy event will be followed by a cook-out with family and friends. A gathering of love, of grace.
What does baptism say to us in this historical time? What can the sprinkling of water, the gathering among a congregation, the confession of faith, the anointing with oil, the symbolism of salt, and the lighting of a candle, mean today?
Like many, I have been following the drama of the Iranian election. Ghosts of U.S.A.-2000 appear. Corruption? People finally having enough of repression. A cry to be open to the West. Freedom for women to develop their lives more fully. Democracy. A progressive, 21st century Islam. What can Holy Baptism say to this yearning?
President Obama speaking before the AMA, calling on a reformed health care system. Pushback from the insurance companies. Bailed-out banks lending less. More people out of work. California broke. America living off foreign loans. Two wars draining borrowed resources. Gays demanding rights. Right wing malcontents killing the innocent. Corporate greed. Challenges to going green. What can Holy Baptism say in this environment?
We are brought to the font by family and friends. We are carried. We are loved. Family and friends have taken the time to present us to God, to tell us that the relationship with God is vital and central for living!
Come the sacrament. "God, who is rich in mercy and love, give us new birth into a living hope....By water and the Word God delivers us to new life in Jesus Christ,....and joined in God's mission for the life of the world." There is grace and call.
And there is more. In Holy Baptism we are graced to be responsible: To bring the baptized into the community of the Church, to bring them to worship and the Lord's Supper, to teach, to nurture in Christ, so that the baptized serve and work for peace and justice. We have a most holy purpose in life that does not require employment, but commitment and promise to faith and love.
And more. We stand and renounce the power of evil "and all the forces that defy God....the powers of this world that rebel against God....and the ways of sin that draw us from God". We are graced and called to stand up, step up, to face the winds of life. God gives us what is necessary for the task.
More. We are graced to confess our faith in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit. It is a gift to confess faith in the One who creates, liberates, and enlightens. In Christ we can create, liberate others, enlighten each other to faith, hope, and love; towards justice and peace; towards reconciliation.
More. We are forgiven. We are welcomed into the Family of God, the community of the Holy Christian Church. We have a place of love, and people with whom to connect in love.
More. We are anointed to remind us that we are protected by God from the power of anything to keep us from the love of God. We are given a candle to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that we are now called to reflect Christ's Light. We are given grace and we are called to costly grace.
Bishop Wayne Weissenbuehler once told a story he heard on a trip to Africa. An African church leader told him: "The only way to be safe in an unsafe world is to be part of a large family". In Holy Baptism we become part of the huge Family of God! We are embraced, we are loved, we are nurtured for the sake of making real the Reign of God in the world!
In this troubled time, let us remember our Holy Baptism.
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Direction Home
I recall a line from Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone": "How does it feel, to be on your own, with no direction home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone?" One rock survey put this song as the number one R and R song in rock history. There must be something to its questions and message.
Regarding our nation, our world, are we headed home? Do we have direction that is hopeful? Are we as a nation, or as a world, acting like we are alone, whose only secutity is ourselves? Are we fast tracking towards the "dustbin" of history?
DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL: Obama needs to keep his promise of eliminating this test. I suspect he is holding back due to political considerations, particularly concerning the health care debate, fixing the economy, addressing the Israeli-Palestinian reality, Iraq and Afghanistan, the Supreme Court nomination process, and.... It is refreshing to see a president who believes he is not a dictator and that our democracy is just that, with checks and balances, and that we live in a country of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and.... So many "ands". Yet, he needs to put this practice to rest. Gays can and are serving honorably. Let them be honest.
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN REALITY: His Cairo speech was masterful, balanced with a clear call for justice for all. It was right to use the word "intolerable" when speaking of the conditions within the Palestinian refugee camps. Some of these camps have been in existance since 1948! They look like the slums in "Slumdog". It is time for Israel to yield to and respect the 1967 border agreement and cease from building more settlements. Land for peace seems to be the direction home. The two state solution seems fair. There is positive movement within Palestinian leadership to respect Israel's right to exist. By all parties, Jerusalem needs to be recognized as an international city as much as possible. Indeed, Jerusalem has a uniqueness unlike any other city in then world, being the epicenter of three religions' historical roots. These histories need to be recognized for the sake of justice and peace.
ECONOMY: It is right to designate this summer as "Stimulus Summer". People need work. People will work. Spending for the sake of meaningful labor, on projects that will rebuild America and move us into an energy conscious future is money well spent. Money spent to line pockets for the sake of another yacht or lake home, at the expense of the common good, is waste. Stimulus money needs to be sent out, now. There are too many foreclosures, too many closed businesses, too many.... It is good that more banks are feeling more confidence in lending, but they too must loosen credit terms. Certainly, more regulation is necessary, and this appears to be forthcoming. It is heartening that Wall Street is recovering (and so is my pension account!). Yet, the big piece is JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. The most obvious areas of focus are infrastructure and energy conversion.
HEALTH CARE: There needs to be a public option. Over the decades, insurance companies have not shown good enough faith in providing coverage for all people. They have too often abused their power by refusing to cover the most needy, refusing to cover those with pre-conditions, and pricing their coverage beyond what is affordable. Too often, profit has supplanted compassion. There needs to be a major "tweaking" in health care coverage. A public option can help to keep private insurers honest and under cost control. The public option can also help keep costs for procedures and hospitals stays under control. Costs run out of control due to the choices made by the powerful within each care layer. They set the prices. A public option will provide a sane competitive marker to make health care affordable for all. The public option also ought to provide care on one's ability to pay. Health care is a right, not an option.
EDUCATION: There can be no short-changing education. As education goes, so goes the nation. Increase taxes to get this done! More teachers, more resources, more specialists, better facilities, better and fairer college loans, and more experimentation with what is a more effective education philosophy. I am impressed with the KIPP program which includes high quality teachers, school from 7:30-5:00, including extra-curriculars, plus two hours of homework, Saturday school twice a month, and some summer classes. 48 out of 48 seniors have been accepted into colleges!
EARTH CARE: It is important to focus on going green. Our future depends on the choices we make today. We cannot keep using and abusing the earth's resources as if they will last forever. We must think of leaving a legacy of environmental hope. More fuel efficient vehicles, clean energy, protection of wilderness areas, animal protection, rainforest protection, non-dumping of garbage into the oceans, continued recycling, but also reuse of what we have, and.... Let us not just keep creating more junk to fill landfills!
Are we headed home? Do we have direction? Are we just acting like we are the only nation in the world, accountable to only ourselves? Or do we see the United States as a light among lights, accountable to the world, committed to common efforts for the sake of peace and justice? This is the commitment that will lead us home. This commitment will give us direction towards a hopeful future for all. This commitment is honorably Biblical in scope. "For God so loved the WORLD...." "Blessed are the peacemakers...." "Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God."
Regarding our nation, our world, are we headed home? Do we have direction that is hopeful? Are we as a nation, or as a world, acting like we are alone, whose only secutity is ourselves? Are we fast tracking towards the "dustbin" of history?
DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL: Obama needs to keep his promise of eliminating this test. I suspect he is holding back due to political considerations, particularly concerning the health care debate, fixing the economy, addressing the Israeli-Palestinian reality, Iraq and Afghanistan, the Supreme Court nomination process, and.... It is refreshing to see a president who believes he is not a dictator and that our democracy is just that, with checks and balances, and that we live in a country of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and.... So many "ands". Yet, he needs to put this practice to rest. Gays can and are serving honorably. Let them be honest.
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN REALITY: His Cairo speech was masterful, balanced with a clear call for justice for all. It was right to use the word "intolerable" when speaking of the conditions within the Palestinian refugee camps. Some of these camps have been in existance since 1948! They look like the slums in "Slumdog". It is time for Israel to yield to and respect the 1967 border agreement and cease from building more settlements. Land for peace seems to be the direction home. The two state solution seems fair. There is positive movement within Palestinian leadership to respect Israel's right to exist. By all parties, Jerusalem needs to be recognized as an international city as much as possible. Indeed, Jerusalem has a uniqueness unlike any other city in then world, being the epicenter of three religions' historical roots. These histories need to be recognized for the sake of justice and peace.
ECONOMY: It is right to designate this summer as "Stimulus Summer". People need work. People will work. Spending for the sake of meaningful labor, on projects that will rebuild America and move us into an energy conscious future is money well spent. Money spent to line pockets for the sake of another yacht or lake home, at the expense of the common good, is waste. Stimulus money needs to be sent out, now. There are too many foreclosures, too many closed businesses, too many.... It is good that more banks are feeling more confidence in lending, but they too must loosen credit terms. Certainly, more regulation is necessary, and this appears to be forthcoming. It is heartening that Wall Street is recovering (and so is my pension account!). Yet, the big piece is JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. The most obvious areas of focus are infrastructure and energy conversion.
HEALTH CARE: There needs to be a public option. Over the decades, insurance companies have not shown good enough faith in providing coverage for all people. They have too often abused their power by refusing to cover the most needy, refusing to cover those with pre-conditions, and pricing their coverage beyond what is affordable. Too often, profit has supplanted compassion. There needs to be a major "tweaking" in health care coverage. A public option can help to keep private insurers honest and under cost control. The public option can also help keep costs for procedures and hospitals stays under control. Costs run out of control due to the choices made by the powerful within each care layer. They set the prices. A public option will provide a sane competitive marker to make health care affordable for all. The public option also ought to provide care on one's ability to pay. Health care is a right, not an option.
EDUCATION: There can be no short-changing education. As education goes, so goes the nation. Increase taxes to get this done! More teachers, more resources, more specialists, better facilities, better and fairer college loans, and more experimentation with what is a more effective education philosophy. I am impressed with the KIPP program which includes high quality teachers, school from 7:30-5:00, including extra-curriculars, plus two hours of homework, Saturday school twice a month, and some summer classes. 48 out of 48 seniors have been accepted into colleges!
EARTH CARE: It is important to focus on going green. Our future depends on the choices we make today. We cannot keep using and abusing the earth's resources as if they will last forever. We must think of leaving a legacy of environmental hope. More fuel efficient vehicles, clean energy, protection of wilderness areas, animal protection, rainforest protection, non-dumping of garbage into the oceans, continued recycling, but also reuse of what we have, and.... Let us not just keep creating more junk to fill landfills!
Are we headed home? Do we have direction? Are we just acting like we are the only nation in the world, accountable to only ourselves? Or do we see the United States as a light among lights, accountable to the world, committed to common efforts for the sake of peace and justice? This is the commitment that will lead us home. This commitment will give us direction towards a hopeful future for all. This commitment is honorably Biblical in scope. "For God so loved the WORLD...." "Blessed are the peacemakers...." "Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God."
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will
of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
Let's go home!
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Standing Guilty
I confess, I am guilty. Abortion and stem cell decisions have exposed my vulnerable underbelly. I support abortion by choice and stem cell research and cure possibilities. Does each destroy life in some stage of development? Yes. This is why in making decisions relating to these situations, it is important to rest on: 1) The grace of God; 2) Forgiveness and repentance; 3) Biblical witness; 4) Accountability to God and Each other; 5) Commitment to a life ethic; 6) The big picture.
THE GRACE OF GOD. God's grace is the unmerited love and mercy of God. God takes the initiative to love the world. The basic nature of God is love. God embraces the world. God's affection consistently renews. God is profoundly pro-life! We are not created to destroy life because all life is that created in the Image of God. The Image of God is nurtured by the grace of God. It is this grace of God that loves the one who chooses to carry a child to term and the one who chooses to abort. It is the grace of God that frees a woman and her spouse, or who alone chooses to donate her embryo to stem cell research for the sake of the other needing cure. God's grace is radically pro-life!
FORGIVENESS AND REPENTANCE. Yet, we are broken and sinful. We push God away. We make choices contrary to God's will. Yet, God's will is not our possession. God owns it and we are the humble borrowers. We make mistakes. We do not see clearly. We do not understand as we ought. So we confess our incompleteness. We admit the faultiness of our choices. We start again, choosing and hoping to make decisions that will cause God to smile upon us. Our humanity is humbled. Perfection is the property of God and we catch only glimpses. We are dependent upon God's mercy for getting us through to live another day. Our pride is crucified with Jesus. Likewise, our resurrection is through Jesus, and not by the rightness of our decisions. We turn around and try again to obey, confidently yet humbly.
BIBLICAL WITNESS. We look to scripture. Paul reminds us that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Is there any pure choice by which we can stand cleanly before God? Are not some hurt by our choices? How is it possible to always avoid being a barrier to another's confession? How about "None is righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10)? Paul writes that we are justified by grace through faith (Romans 3:24, 28). It is not our works, nor the wisdom of our decisions that make us worthy of God's salvation; but grace and faith. Jesus says "We shall love God, love each other, and love ourselves" (Mark 12:30-31). Cannot the decision to abort or seek stem cells as treatment, to donate your embryo which you choose to not allow to grow into a child for the sake of curing another be an act of greater love? What happend to the notion of dying so another can live? Paul writes to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Who says these decisions are without travail? Without questions? Without discomfort? These decisions compell us to walk through the valley. Why? Because they are about love and life. Let us remember that Jesus died on the cross. Ought our decisions expect anything less? Paul writes that "Now we see in a mirror, dimly...." (I Corinthians 13:12a). We do our best. We pray, we seek counsel, we worship, we struggle, we study scripture, we.... Then we decide, taking responsibility for our decision, and standing naked before God's mercy. We are both faithful and human. Finally, the prophet Micah writes: "...do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God." (Micah 6:8). Justice is always messy because conflict is an outgrowth of its decision. Bliss is not always possible, nor necessary to the faithful. Is there not a place to be kind to others and ourselves by what we decide? Who defines the parameters of kindness? Of justice? We stand and kneel humbly before God, yielding to God's greater understanding of our hearts and intentions.
To be honest, those opposing abortion can also list many "proof texts" to counter the above. This reality underscores the drama and difficulty of the abortion/stem cell debate. Each side makes valid points. This is ground for listening to each other, loving each other, struggling together to always seek the better way. Who can stand wholly righteous before God? Not I, nor you, my friend.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD AND EACH OTHER. Decisions to abort or donate and use stem cells ought not be made in a vacuum. While the person most directly affected will make the final decision, they need the in-put of family, clergy, counselors, friends, and others. We can help each other look at options such as adoption, carrying to term, having the familty gather round and help rasise the child together. What we decide affects others. All things are connected. All people created in the Image of God links us all in a common humanity, a common holiness. Together we can promote birth control and encourage sex education. We need to help each other live life fully for the sake of the other.
COMMITMENT TO A LIFE ETHIC. Abortion and stem cell issues are essentially about an ethic of life. Our decisions ought to center on honoring the gift of life given by God and liberated through Jesus Christ. What are the best ways to honor life?
REMEMBER THE BIG PICTURE. I have trouble categorically saying that the life of a pregnant woman is less important than the child she is carrying, and who believes to the core of her being that what is happening to her is contrary to her life dreams and ability to deal responsibly with caring for the child. Is there not a valid life ethic for this woman's understanding of herself, and choosing to take responsibility for her decision? I think there is. Likewise, for the woman or couple choosing to donate her/their frozen embryo for the sake of another person suffering from a disease, knowing the embryo will be destroyed for the sake of giving life to another, I think there is a valid case for this decision. Who draws the line on which life is more valuable? Who dares to stand righteous in an imperfect world? Is there not a time and place for sacrificial love?
I must admit to a personal buy in. Our son is legally blind. Doctors tell us that his hope for seeing clearly rests with stem cells. When matters get personal, one looks deeper and asks more profound questions. Black and white become gray. I believe this is why God came to us in Jesus. In Christ we are reminded of the challenges within our humanity, and the gracious presence of God with us as we address these challenges. The cross of Jesus reminds us that life is not an easy road, and that with Jesus we are given grace to help us see, the courage to decide, and the forgiveness to repent and keep going. To paraphrase Bonhoeffer, "We must have the courage and humility to stand guilty before God".
Peace!
Ron
THE GRACE OF GOD. God's grace is the unmerited love and mercy of God. God takes the initiative to love the world. The basic nature of God is love. God embraces the world. God's affection consistently renews. God is profoundly pro-life! We are not created to destroy life because all life is that created in the Image of God. The Image of God is nurtured by the grace of God. It is this grace of God that loves the one who chooses to carry a child to term and the one who chooses to abort. It is the grace of God that frees a woman and her spouse, or who alone chooses to donate her embryo to stem cell research for the sake of the other needing cure. God's grace is radically pro-life!
FORGIVENESS AND REPENTANCE. Yet, we are broken and sinful. We push God away. We make choices contrary to God's will. Yet, God's will is not our possession. God owns it and we are the humble borrowers. We make mistakes. We do not see clearly. We do not understand as we ought. So we confess our incompleteness. We admit the faultiness of our choices. We start again, choosing and hoping to make decisions that will cause God to smile upon us. Our humanity is humbled. Perfection is the property of God and we catch only glimpses. We are dependent upon God's mercy for getting us through to live another day. Our pride is crucified with Jesus. Likewise, our resurrection is through Jesus, and not by the rightness of our decisions. We turn around and try again to obey, confidently yet humbly.
BIBLICAL WITNESS. We look to scripture. Paul reminds us that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Is there any pure choice by which we can stand cleanly before God? Are not some hurt by our choices? How is it possible to always avoid being a barrier to another's confession? How about "None is righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10)? Paul writes that we are justified by grace through faith (Romans 3:24, 28). It is not our works, nor the wisdom of our decisions that make us worthy of God's salvation; but grace and faith. Jesus says "We shall love God, love each other, and love ourselves" (Mark 12:30-31). Cannot the decision to abort or seek stem cells as treatment, to donate your embryo which you choose to not allow to grow into a child for the sake of curing another be an act of greater love? What happend to the notion of dying so another can live? Paul writes to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Who says these decisions are without travail? Without questions? Without discomfort? These decisions compell us to walk through the valley. Why? Because they are about love and life. Let us remember that Jesus died on the cross. Ought our decisions expect anything less? Paul writes that "Now we see in a mirror, dimly...." (I Corinthians 13:12a). We do our best. We pray, we seek counsel, we worship, we struggle, we study scripture, we.... Then we decide, taking responsibility for our decision, and standing naked before God's mercy. We are both faithful and human. Finally, the prophet Micah writes: "...do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God." (Micah 6:8). Justice is always messy because conflict is an outgrowth of its decision. Bliss is not always possible, nor necessary to the faithful. Is there not a place to be kind to others and ourselves by what we decide? Who defines the parameters of kindness? Of justice? We stand and kneel humbly before God, yielding to God's greater understanding of our hearts and intentions.
To be honest, those opposing abortion can also list many "proof texts" to counter the above. This reality underscores the drama and difficulty of the abortion/stem cell debate. Each side makes valid points. This is ground for listening to each other, loving each other, struggling together to always seek the better way. Who can stand wholly righteous before God? Not I, nor you, my friend.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD AND EACH OTHER. Decisions to abort or donate and use stem cells ought not be made in a vacuum. While the person most directly affected will make the final decision, they need the in-put of family, clergy, counselors, friends, and others. We can help each other look at options such as adoption, carrying to term, having the familty gather round and help rasise the child together. What we decide affects others. All things are connected. All people created in the Image of God links us all in a common humanity, a common holiness. Together we can promote birth control and encourage sex education. We need to help each other live life fully for the sake of the other.
COMMITMENT TO A LIFE ETHIC. Abortion and stem cell issues are essentially about an ethic of life. Our decisions ought to center on honoring the gift of life given by God and liberated through Jesus Christ. What are the best ways to honor life?
REMEMBER THE BIG PICTURE. I have trouble categorically saying that the life of a pregnant woman is less important than the child she is carrying, and who believes to the core of her being that what is happening to her is contrary to her life dreams and ability to deal responsibly with caring for the child. Is there not a valid life ethic for this woman's understanding of herself, and choosing to take responsibility for her decision? I think there is. Likewise, for the woman or couple choosing to donate her/their frozen embryo for the sake of another person suffering from a disease, knowing the embryo will be destroyed for the sake of giving life to another, I think there is a valid case for this decision. Who draws the line on which life is more valuable? Who dares to stand righteous in an imperfect world? Is there not a time and place for sacrificial love?
I must admit to a personal buy in. Our son is legally blind. Doctors tell us that his hope for seeing clearly rests with stem cells. When matters get personal, one looks deeper and asks more profound questions. Black and white become gray. I believe this is why God came to us in Jesus. In Christ we are reminded of the challenges within our humanity, and the gracious presence of God with us as we address these challenges. The cross of Jesus reminds us that life is not an easy road, and that with Jesus we are given grace to help us see, the courage to decide, and the forgiveness to repent and keep going. To paraphrase Bonhoeffer, "We must have the courage and humility to stand guilty before God".
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
God Bless the Tax!
One of the reasons Linda and I like Minnesota is the care it demonstrates for its citizens. Call it "Minnesota Nice". Some historians refer to Minnesota's Scandinavian history which placed heavy emphasis upon community care. Others, including me, trace this compassion to the prevalence of private church colleges steeped in Roman Catholic and Protestant tradition, and the overall commitment to quality education and living out Christian ethics in the public square. Interestingly, in Jonathan Alter's book on FDR, he refers to Minnesota as one of those "communist leaning states" in the 1930's, referring to its people sharing the burdens of the challenges.
Well, this perception may be changing, if Gov. Tim Pawlenty has his way. With Minnesota facing budget challenges, as are most states, he is using his line-item veto to cut health care for the most vulnerable. It is now a "survival of the fittest" mentality that is emerging, at least for some. But not for Rep. Paul Thissen, a four term legislator, "Harvard and University of Chicago educated attorney, who used to play pick-up hoops with a skinny new U of C professor named Obama". He may run for governor. He says:
Well, this perception may be changing, if Gov. Tim Pawlenty has his way. With Minnesota facing budget challenges, as are most states, he is using his line-item veto to cut health care for the most vulnerable. It is now a "survival of the fittest" mentality that is emerging, at least for some. But not for Rep. Paul Thissen, a four term legislator, "Harvard and University of Chicago educated attorney, who used to play pick-up hoops with a skinny new U of C professor named Obama". He may run for governor. He says:
That veto was absolutely wrong, for two reasons. We are breaking
a promise that we've had in Minnesota for generations, that we are
going to take care of those least able to take care of themselves. The
other thing is, it's a clear example of short term thinking. It's thinking
we can solve problems by not paying for them, or just moving them
off the governor's books....We've had this notion put before us that we can
keep the Minnesota we've always known without paying for it....The pendulum
is swinging back to the idea that we do owe obligations to each other. That
is what the next election is all about.
We lived in Colorado for 20 years. We experienced what the lack of taxing freedom can do to the most vulnerable, to the quality of education. Not good. A friend of mine sent an email describing the California situation, of how the power to tax has been crippled by Proposition 13, making it nearly impossible for the legislature to raise taxes to provide for state needs. Interestingly, the same man who pushed through Prop 13 also pushed through the Colorado TABOR Amendment to the state constitution. TABOR means "taxpayers bill of rights". In Minnesota there was a movement to pass a similar amendment.
Jesus and holy scripture teaches us that we are each other's keepers. We need to share the burdens of living. We need to buy less trinkets and become more generous because it is the faithful thing to do. We need to remember "the least of these". Indeed, one of the major learnings of this economic dive is the price of greed. It's about ME. WE are paying a steep price for self absorption and forgetting the most vulnerable.
I'm all for taxes which address the legitimate, human needs of all people. Jesus said to "pay Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's". In Jesus' time, tax collectors were scorned for their cheating. Yet, I suppose to be honest, perhaps the people then didn't like paying taxes much either. But I suspect the reason for not liking to pay taxes was they weren't getting much return for their tax, as most was going to Rome. I believe it is time to increase the tax and insure the collection meets the basic human needs of ALL. It is time to be more generous for the sake of ALL. It is time to end the notion of survival of the fittest! God bless the tax!
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Power Rightly Used
When we have power, we are duty bound to use it rightly. We may recall former President Bush stating shortly after his re-election: "I have political capital and I expect to use it". His goal was to privatize a portion of Social Security. Fortunately, he failed. I would call his efforts the wrong use of power.
Likewise, President Obama, Congress, and we as citizens, are faced with using power rightly. Health care pits universal right against corporate profit, funding for abortion against pro-choice, stem cell research against embryonic destruction. The wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq pit a vaguely defined "war on terror" against the question of national interest, the human cost on all sides against a seemingly non-debated "justification of these wars". The economic meltdown pits corporate profit, marketing manipulation to lure people into debt, bankruptcy, greed, usury, against living within our means, corporate responsibility, people/worker friendliness, and economic justice. And the list goes on....
What are some standards and power questions for using power rightly? 1) JUSTICE: Is power used for the benefit of all?; 2) LOVE: Is there respect for the dignity of each person?; 3) OPPORTUNITY: Does each person have access to resources to pursue their dreams?; 4) COMMON GOOD: How do actions aid the development of community living?; 5) EARTH SENSITIVE: How do our actions demonstrate a commitment to long term earth care?; 6) NONVIOLENCE: How do we respect natural death and prevent wanton disregard for life?; 7) PATRIOTISM: How can we be patriots and not nationalists?; 8) ACCESS: How can all people have access to resources for living?; 9) DIVERSITY: How can we respect our differences, listen creatively, and deepen our character through interactive conversation?; 10) PEACE: What actions promote creatively living together?; 11) FAITH: What points us beyond self focus?; 12) MISSION: What are the causes that serve the well-being of others that drive our passion for living?; 13) WORLDLINESS: What efforts expand our world view to realize our inter-connectedness?
Each of us has power. Power is a gift of God. I believe Jesus calls us to use it rightly, and in this way make real the Reign of God.
Peace!
Ron
Likewise, President Obama, Congress, and we as citizens, are faced with using power rightly. Health care pits universal right against corporate profit, funding for abortion against pro-choice, stem cell research against embryonic destruction. The wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq pit a vaguely defined "war on terror" against the question of national interest, the human cost on all sides against a seemingly non-debated "justification of these wars". The economic meltdown pits corporate profit, marketing manipulation to lure people into debt, bankruptcy, greed, usury, against living within our means, corporate responsibility, people/worker friendliness, and economic justice. And the list goes on....
What are some standards and power questions for using power rightly? 1) JUSTICE: Is power used for the benefit of all?; 2) LOVE: Is there respect for the dignity of each person?; 3) OPPORTUNITY: Does each person have access to resources to pursue their dreams?; 4) COMMON GOOD: How do actions aid the development of community living?; 5) EARTH SENSITIVE: How do our actions demonstrate a commitment to long term earth care?; 6) NONVIOLENCE: How do we respect natural death and prevent wanton disregard for life?; 7) PATRIOTISM: How can we be patriots and not nationalists?; 8) ACCESS: How can all people have access to resources for living?; 9) DIVERSITY: How can we respect our differences, listen creatively, and deepen our character through interactive conversation?; 10) PEACE: What actions promote creatively living together?; 11) FAITH: What points us beyond self focus?; 12) MISSION: What are the causes that serve the well-being of others that drive our passion for living?; 13) WORLDLINESS: What efforts expand our world view to realize our inter-connectedness?
Each of us has power. Power is a gift of God. I believe Jesus calls us to use it rightly, and in this way make real the Reign of God.
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Common Solution
I have been listening to the commentary on health care. The bottom line is that the system we have in place is too expensive and not everyone is covered.
I would suggest the following: 1) Accept the moral imperative that ALL people deserve health care as a right. Fortunately, this appears to be the accepted norm of the Administration. However, whether the insurance companies agree, particularly when a person cannot afford health care, is a bothersome issue. There is too much of "You can play if you pay". This is where the "Third Option" of public care is necessary. Public care will fill the gaps for the uninsured. Yes, it should be cheaper than regular care because it will include who cannot afford a standard insurance company policy. Competition with the private firms? Absolutely.
This leads to the second solution: 2) Tell the private companies that the government cannot afford putting as much coverage into its budget as now exists, that the amount must be cut in half, that the people will not tolerate more taxes. Put together a task force to deal with this challenge; a task force that would include the insurance companies, doctors, union folks, federal officials, single pay supporters, and .... Their task is to figure a way to half health care costs. Yes, there may be less profit for some, but we must think of ALL. We have only so much money available. We need to learn to live within a budget.
There is a third alternative: 3) Increase taxes to cover ALL people! This may mean that people will have to learn to live on less, purchase less extraneous stuff. Personally, I would not mind paying more taxes knowing that ALL people would receive adequate health care. We are our brothers and sisters keepers. We need to do what we need to do! Sacrifice for the sake of the other. It could even mean that the military would not receive its newest "toy" as soon as it would like!
Just some ideas!
Peace!
Ron
I would suggest the following: 1) Accept the moral imperative that ALL people deserve health care as a right. Fortunately, this appears to be the accepted norm of the Administration. However, whether the insurance companies agree, particularly when a person cannot afford health care, is a bothersome issue. There is too much of "You can play if you pay". This is where the "Third Option" of public care is necessary. Public care will fill the gaps for the uninsured. Yes, it should be cheaper than regular care because it will include who cannot afford a standard insurance company policy. Competition with the private firms? Absolutely.
This leads to the second solution: 2) Tell the private companies that the government cannot afford putting as much coverage into its budget as now exists, that the amount must be cut in half, that the people will not tolerate more taxes. Put together a task force to deal with this challenge; a task force that would include the insurance companies, doctors, union folks, federal officials, single pay supporters, and .... Their task is to figure a way to half health care costs. Yes, there may be less profit for some, but we must think of ALL. We have only so much money available. We need to learn to live within a budget.
There is a third alternative: 3) Increase taxes to cover ALL people! This may mean that people will have to learn to live on less, purchase less extraneous stuff. Personally, I would not mind paying more taxes knowing that ALL people would receive adequate health care. We are our brothers and sisters keepers. We need to do what we need to do! Sacrifice for the sake of the other. It could even mean that the military would not receive its newest "toy" as soon as it would like!
Just some ideas!
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Who Stands Firm?
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to all!
At Christmas, 1942, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a piece entitled "After Ten Years". He wrote:
Who stands firm? Only the one for whom the final standard
is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom,
his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all these, when in faith
and sole allegiance to God he is called to obedient and responsible
action, the responsible person, whose life will be nothing but an
answer to God's question and call. Where are these responsible
persons?
What does it take to do this? I think it depends upon where we start. As Christians, we start with yielding to God's grace. Unless we yield, we become megaphones for ourselves. As a great book by Phillip Watson says: "Let God be God". Impossible! That is why we yield, "not as we ought, but as we are able". We bring to the table a realization the humble truth that God is in charge.
Our next starting point is the Word, the Holy Bible. We try to not cherry pick texts to justify our positions. We try to remember that there are 66 books that need to be honored. We try to give credence to God's justice, God's concern for the poor, God's peace, God's love for all, God's sense of fairness, God's call to accountability, God's sensitivity to "the least of these". God's call to sacrifice.
Prayer is a starting point. Prayer is intentional conversation with Jesus. Prayer is listening and speaking to God. Prayer nurtures our relationship with God. We can have a relationship with each other primarily through conversation. So it is with God. I recall the various daily prayer times at Taize' in France. I recall Advent "Holden Evening Prayer" and Lenten Taize' Prayer. I recall the music, the Word, the silence. Let's talk. Let's listen. God is speaking. Obedience is more than being another talking head (or blogger!).
Worship is a starting point. The focus is the cross. The center is Christ. We confess. We receive forgiveness. We praise the One God of all. We sing. we pray. We receive the Lord's Supper. We listen. We gather with others, coming out of our separate living places to be the Family of God, the Communion of Saints; acknowledging that God created us for each other, that each is created in the Image of God, that no one has a leg up on the other. We are humbled in our commonness.
Now we can act! The responsible life puts first things first. Standing firm in Christ and Church are the starting points. It is these "arcane disciplines" as Bonhoeffer calls them, that free us to act. We step out, engage the world, ask the questions, define principles, listen to our conscience, only after yielding to the disciplines of the arcane. We must first be informed by God through the loving crucible of the Word, prayer, worship, and each other.
Now we gather the facts. Now we engage each other in honest debate. Now we yield not to ideology, but to what is good, right, and just, for the common good, for all, because we realize that we are our brothers and sisters keepers, that the earth is fragile and needs our care, that we are created first and last to love in the nonviolent Spirit of Jesus.
Who stands firm in this?
Peace!
Ron
Grace to all!
At Christmas, 1942, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a piece entitled "After Ten Years". He wrote:
Who stands firm? Only the one for whom the final standard
is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom,
his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all these, when in faith
and sole allegiance to God he is called to obedient and responsible
action, the responsible person, whose life will be nothing but an
answer to God's question and call. Where are these responsible
persons?
What does it take to do this? I think it depends upon where we start. As Christians, we start with yielding to God's grace. Unless we yield, we become megaphones for ourselves. As a great book by Phillip Watson says: "Let God be God". Impossible! That is why we yield, "not as we ought, but as we are able". We bring to the table a realization the humble truth that God is in charge.
Our next starting point is the Word, the Holy Bible. We try to not cherry pick texts to justify our positions. We try to remember that there are 66 books that need to be honored. We try to give credence to God's justice, God's concern for the poor, God's peace, God's love for all, God's sense of fairness, God's call to accountability, God's sensitivity to "the least of these". God's call to sacrifice.
Prayer is a starting point. Prayer is intentional conversation with Jesus. Prayer is listening and speaking to God. Prayer nurtures our relationship with God. We can have a relationship with each other primarily through conversation. So it is with God. I recall the various daily prayer times at Taize' in France. I recall Advent "Holden Evening Prayer" and Lenten Taize' Prayer. I recall the music, the Word, the silence. Let's talk. Let's listen. God is speaking. Obedience is more than being another talking head (or blogger!).
Worship is a starting point. The focus is the cross. The center is Christ. We confess. We receive forgiveness. We praise the One God of all. We sing. we pray. We receive the Lord's Supper. We listen. We gather with others, coming out of our separate living places to be the Family of God, the Communion of Saints; acknowledging that God created us for each other, that each is created in the Image of God, that no one has a leg up on the other. We are humbled in our commonness.
Now we can act! The responsible life puts first things first. Standing firm in Christ and Church are the starting points. It is these "arcane disciplines" as Bonhoeffer calls them, that free us to act. We step out, engage the world, ask the questions, define principles, listen to our conscience, only after yielding to the disciplines of the arcane. We must first be informed by God through the loving crucible of the Word, prayer, worship, and each other.
Now we gather the facts. Now we engage each other in honest debate. Now we yield not to ideology, but to what is good, right, and just, for the common good, for all, because we realize that we are our brothers and sisters keepers, that the earth is fragile and needs our care, that we are created first and last to love in the nonviolent Spirit of Jesus.
Who stands firm in this?
Peace!
Ron
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