In Hebrew and Christian scriptures the prophets and Jesus proclaimed God’s will for economic justice for the poor. The ‘poor’ were the economically poor, the vulnerable and marginalized citizens.

The prophets and Jesus challenged those who acquired and maintained their riches through dishonesty, exploitation, greed, stinginess, or violence. Jeremiah declared, “Your eyes and your heart are only on dishonest gain . . . Jesus condemned how we become rich and what we do with our riches that either oppress or maintains the oppression of the poor.

Today, these messages of the prophets speak to high interest rates of Pay Day Loans, charges by check cashing businesses and high overdraft rates of banks. CCO’s first target is Pay Day Loans and the legislators who co-operate with them by refusing to seriously consider legislating more fair and just interest rates.

Our legislators who take the money of the lobbyists for their campaign coffers are also addressed by Jeremiah and Jesus. Isaiah proclaimed “Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves, everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. (Legislators who work for the lobbyists money, more than the people who vote for them.) Ezekiel declared, “It’s officials . . . are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives for dishonest gain.”

Obrey Hendricks says it well, The Gospel of John “portrays Jesus as rearticulating humanity’s relationship with God, . . . .upon God’s largesse and loving generosity” This was also the Hebrew understanding, before Jesus, but not presently PRACTICED. Obrey continues, “In this divine economy, the haves care for have-nots, the rich for the poor, those who have bread share with those who have none; those in power are obligated to do their best to fulfill the needs of the those entrusted to their care (and for us) Obrey says, “ those who profess to represent God concentrate on giving to the people, rather than what they can get from them. After all, if the peoples needs are holy, then fulfilling them is a holy act, a holy offering to God.”

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

The 7th Tactic of Jesus, according to Hendricks is, Don’t Just Explain the Alternative, Show It. Or, “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of ACTION.”

We who portray ourselves as believing that God’s will is for liberating the poor from oppression, exploitation, and being on the side of justice, have two responsibilities.

One responsibility is to speak truth to power in our legislative halls; for them to listen to biblical prophets and Jesus; to do justice by legislating interest rates on Pay Day Loans no higher than 36% APR.

Our second responsibility is not to EXPLAIN THE ALTERNATIVE and expect someone else to do it. We need to SHOW IT BY OUR OWN ACTION.

In Kansas City, a coalition of FDIC, community organizers, banks and other financial institutions, congregations and social service agency are developing a small dollar loan program as an alternative to Pay Day Loans. More will be posted as information is available.

How is Social Justice different from Works of Mercy?
Both are equally important. Works of Mercy provide food, clothing, rental assistance and other resources for people’s basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. However, works of mercy do not lift people up out of their circumstances which requires them to continually seek help.

Social Justice works on the one to one personal and on the community level to show Christ’s love, make disciples and transform society as we believe is within Christ’s vision for the world and God’s kingdom come on earth.

If someone falls into a well and a traveler hears his/her cry for help, goes over, looks in the well and asks, “How are you?”, then says, “I’ll get you a sandwich”. When the traveler comes back s/he drops a sandwich down the well that is a work of mercy. If the traveler says, I’ll go get a rescue team and does so that is social justice on a one to one personal basis.

After rescuing the person from the well, the traveler, rescue team and other nearby townspeople come together and develop a plan to search out all open wells in the community and fill them to prevent others from falling in, that is community social justice.

Typically, “service” has been interpreted as works of mercy and charity; now we are expanding our emphasis on service to include works of justice. Both are good; both are essential in our culture and in our development as individuals and as the Body of Christ.

About eight years ago I heard what is widely known as “The Babies in the River Story” to explain the difference between works of charity or mercy and works of justice. Two persons see a baby in the river and rush in to rescue her. To their dismay, this baby is followed by another. Then another and another. In each case the two people from the bank of the river dive in to save the babies. Finally, one person does not rush back into the river but heads upstream instead. Her partner asks, “Where are you going? I need help rescuing these babies!” To which she replies, “I am going to find out what’s happening at the headwaters of the river, where the babies are coming from. We need to change what’s happening up there that is putting the babies in danger to begin with.”

That simple parable has taught many persons the difference between acts of mercy and acts of justice. Another explanation has been attributed to the founder of the Tao, Lao Tzu: “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.” Both the story and the Lao Tzu quote recognize the importance of caring for individuals. In the Gospel of Matthew, (chapter 25) Jesus tells his followers and all who would listen that whatever they do for “one of the least of these,” they do for him.

We are called to care for the least and the lost, those who are unable on their own to cover their basic needs. Caritas, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Feed My People, Interfaith Hospitality Network, ASP, C2K, Mission to Mission are some of the ministries that we support with our time, our energy, our resources. And in addition to giving of ourselves to these and other works of mercy and charity (love), we believe we are called to works of justice, to go “upriver” to discover the reasons why the homeless are homeless, why the hungry are hungry, why the working poor may hold two jobs but still not have enough money–a living wage–to care for a family of three or four. That’s why we find ourselves in meetings with Austin Interfaith or Texas Impact or the Austin District’s Amos Commission, exploring the issue of homelessness or poverty, or standing with those who have no voice in our system as they ask to be heard in places of power.

– Rev. Mimi Raper

I am trying to inform us as Christ’s disciples from sources I trust and believe faithfully try to present the Christian values points of view. Today, I am sharing two sources of information I believe we as Christ’s disciples need to consider.

First, how do we handle and manage conflicual view points? Let me say, I was proud that we could listen to one another and speak with respect at St. Luke’s Health Care Forum. The following comes from a blog on the Sojourners magazine, a “progressive evangelical” organization, led by Jim Wallis. Since I believe I have ‘progressive’ understanding of faith I follow Sojourners since it represents the evangelical, more conservative, view of faith and practice, as well as other publications of my preference.

A Code of Conduct (A paraphrase)
I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every person, especially toward those with whom I disagree—even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21)

I will express my disagreements with others’ without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)

I will not exaggerate others’ beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)

Not that I don’t follow this code, but it caught my attention that in these times of hot language in many instances, as a disciple this needs to be a constant part of my living out my faith. It is also a reason I participate in CCO. They practice this in their organizing, actions, and advocating for justice.

From the United Methodist Board of Church and Society here is a A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care

We, as people of faith, envision a society where each person is afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity.

That vision embraces a health care system that is inclusive… accessible…affordable… and accountable.

Vision ~ Inclusive: Health care is a shared responsibility that is grounded in our common humanity. In the bonds of our human family, we are created to be equal. We are guided by a divine will to honor each person’s dignity and to live together as an inclusive community. Affirming our commitment to the common good, we acknowledge our enduring responsibility to care for one another. As we recognize that society as a whole is healthy only when we care for the most vulnerable among us, we are led to discern the human right to health and wholeness. Therefore, we are called to act with compassion by including everyone in the sharing of our abundant health care resources.

Vision ~ Affordable: Health care must contribute to the common good by being affordable for individuals, families and society as a whole. We believe that in the sacred act of creation we are endowed with the talents, wisdom and abundant resources necessary to meet the needs of one another, including the health care needs of all. Therefore, in our calling to be faithful stewards, we understand our responsibility to use our health care resources effectively, to administer them efficiently, and to distribute them with equity.

Vision ~ Accessible: All persons should have access to health services that provide necessary care and contribute to wellness. We believe humanity is sacred and that all persons should benefit from those actions which contribute to our health and wholeness. Therefore, we are called to act with justice and love, to ensure that all of us have access to the health care we need in order to live out the fullness of our potential both as individuals and as contributing members of our society. We must work together to identify and overcome all barriers to and disparities in such care.

Vision ~ Accountable: Our health care system must be accountable, offering a quality, equitable and sustainable means of keeping us healthy as individuals and as a community. We believe that as spiritual and sacred vessels, we are responsible for the care of our bodies to the best of our ability and for the care of one another regardless of individual circumstances. Therefore, individuals, families, governments, businesses, and the faith community are called to work in partnership for a system that ensures fully-informed, timely, quality and safe care that treats body, mind and spirit.

Check out www.faithfulreform.org, a multi-faith coalition and read: How legislative proposals measure up to
“A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care” or go to my blog and click on it there.

Contact me if you would like to have a personal discussion of Christian Discipleship and Health Care Reform.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. Jimmy Hendrix

First, how do we handle and manage conflicual view points? Let me say, I was proud that we could listen to one another and speak with respect at St. Luke’s Health Care Forum. The following comes from a blog on the Sojourners magazine, a “progressive evangelical” organization, led by Jim Wallis. Since I believe I have ‘progressive’ understanding of faith I follow Sojourners since it represents the evangelical, more conservative, view of faith and practice, as well as other publications of my preference.

A Code of Conduct (A paraphrase)
I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every person, especially toward those with whom I disagree—even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21)

I will express my disagreements with others’ without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)

I will not exaggerate others’ beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)

Not that I don’t follow this code, but it caught my attention that in these times of hot language in many instances, as a disciple this needs to be a constant part of my living out my faith. It is also a reason I participate in CCO. They practice this in their organizing, actions, and advocating for justice.

From the United Methodist Board of Church and Society here is a A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care

We, as people of faith, envision a society where each person is afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity.

That vision embraces a health care system that is inclusive… accessible…affordable… and accountable.

Vision ~ Inclusive: Health care is a shared responsibility that is grounded in our common humanity. In the bonds of our human family, we are created to be equal. We are guided by a divine will to honor each person’s dignity and to live together as an inclusive community. Affirming our commitment to the common good, we acknowledge our enduring responsibility to care for one another. As we recognize that society as a whole is healthy only when we care for the most vulnerable among us, we are led to discern the human right to health and wholeness. Therefore, we are called to act with compassion by including everyone in the sharing of our abundant health care resources.

Vision ~ Affordable: Health care must contribute to the common good by being affordable for individuals, families and society as a whole. We believe that in the sacred act of creation we are endowed with the talents, wisdom and abundant resources necessary to meet the needs of one another, including the health care needs of all. Therefore, in our calling to be faithful stewards, we understand our responsibility to use our health care resources effectively, to administer them efficiently, and to distribute them with equity.

Vision ~ Accessible: All persons should have access to health services that provide necessary care and contribute to wellness. We believe humanity is sacred and that all persons should benefit from those actions which contribute to our health and wholeness. Therefore, we are called to act with justice and love, to ensure that all of us have access to the health care we need in order to live out the fullness of our potential both as individuals and as contributing members of our society. We must work together to identify and overcome all barriers to and disparities in such care.

Vision ~ Accountable: Our health care system must be accountable, offering a quality, equitable and sustainable means of keeping us healthy as individuals and as a community. We believe that as spiritual and sacred vessels, we are responsible for the care of our bodies to the best of our ability and for the care of one another regardless of individual circumstances. Therefore, individuals, families, governments, businesses, and the faith community are called to work in partnership for a system that ensures fully-informed, timely, quality and safe care that treats body, mind and spirit.

Check out www.faithfulreform.org, a multi-faith coalition and read: How legislative proposals measure up to “A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care” or go to my blog and click on it there.

Contact me if you would like to have a personal discussion of Christian Discipleship and Health Care Reform.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. Jimmy Hendrix

Often justice is equated with judgementalism and punishment. Someone sets themselves up to the the judge of others, especially those they disagree with. They set their point of view of belief as superior and right and those who disagree are inferior and wrong. Therefore, those who have a different beliefs are open to attack and judgement.

It is sad when those who feel they have the right to pronounce judgment on others call themselves ‘Chrisitian’.

Jesus taught that we are not to judge others, lest we also be judged. He talked about seeing a spinter in our brother’s or sister’s eye and ignore the log in our own eye.

Judgementalism is not Chrisitain and when some claim it so, I believe they are using God’s name in vain.

God’s justice works toward unity, not division; reconciliation, not condemnation; loving, not hating.