tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511652353085981762024-03-05T03:02:50.355-08:00A Wandering MinisterSarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-27419862063950746182015-05-25T07:23:00.001-07:002015-05-25T07:24:12.487-07:00Shadows of War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I grew up, like everyone else in my generation in this
country, in the shadow of war. As a child, I remember my parents trying to
shield me from the images of war flashing across the TV screens during the
First Gulf War. As a teenager, the unforgettable events of 9/11 and the
subsequent unending wars loom large. Kids, like the kids I grew up with in a
small town, went off to war and not all of them came back alive. If I think
through the news I’ve seen in my lifetime, most of it is dominated by war, by
reports of body counts and returning bodies, reports of torture in military
prisons and large scale offensives. Images of tanks and machine guns, sniper
rifles and wounded bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the shadow of these wars, the world has grown more
militarized. Sometimes I’ve seen this firsthand. In southern Mexico, in Oaxaca,
I walked through squares full of police gripping AK-47s, all too ready to fire
on unarmed civilians. I drove down deserted rural roads full of armored trucks with
federal police bristling with weapons. I walked across borders with assault rifles
trained at my head and witnessed the desert between the U.S. and Mexico
transformed into a war zone with barbed wire and giant fences and fully
militarized police. </span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, the whole time I was away from home, away from the
harbor, I held it in my heart. I was never naïve; I remembered the harbor as a
place with little for me to do as a teenager and a place I could not wait to
leave, I remembered how easy people could be with their fists, and how rough
parts of town could be. I always remembered the grind of survival and the
palpable sense of despair that could descend on us. But I also remembered a
place where neighbors knew each other, a place of peaceful lakes and stunning
forests, a place of rough neighborliness and fierce independence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On Friday, though, I was shocked. I know I should not have
been. I knew the Aberdeen police had an armored vehicle and that SWAT teams
were more militarized everywhere. But knowing is different than seeing. When I
walked down by Cherry Street and I saw a MRAP parked outside a little working
class house and I walked past young men carrying assault rifles, something in
me froze. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This was Aberdeen. This is where I walked as a kid. And a
team of military style fatigued local police were pointing military grade
weapons at a house I’d passed a million times. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Suddenly, I was aware of a terrible fact. The wars that had
haunted my TV screens and loomed large over my life had come home. The shadow
of war had found a home on the streets of my childhood. Kids who had grown up
here, like me, were carrying assault rifles—not only in far distant lands—but at
home too and those rifles were pointing at our own people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its only been a few days but I can’t shake this feeling of
dread. Now, I know that police were responding to what seems to have been a
shooting. And I know that the woman inside that house was armed. And I am so
very glad that no one else was severely hurt or injured. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its just that I can’t shake this feeling that
something has changed terribly in this place where I grew up. That my nieces
and nephews are growing up in a world where military sniper rifles are
increasingly directed toward civilians. Where the wars I grew up with have come
home to roost.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-3575788902442195582015-05-03T19:38:00.001-07:002015-05-03T21:52:08.680-07:00The Tenderness of the People<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “We
love because he first loved us. Those who say ‘I love God’ and hate their
brothers and sisters are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister
whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The early Jesus movement—a movement of people who were
largely forgotten, largely poor, largely outcast— became known as a group that
loved each other and cared for each other. In a world that told them they were
worthless, in a world that robbed them of rights, in a world that targeted them,
they instead created a world where they protected each other and cared for each
other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is not always a warm, fuzzy thing. It is not always a
comfortable thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It can involve great risk. It can involve great danger. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love means fighting for each other. It means standing up for
each other. It means taking risks for each other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Often there is a high cost to love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our first reading, we read the story of the Ethiopian
eunuch. This is the first conversion story in the book of Acts. The first
conversion story in the NT. The spirit sends Philip to meet with someone that
the world of the Romans had no use for. He was an African man, likely a slave,
a man with no rights under political or religious law. He was a eunuch.
Sometimes this was physical but sometimes eunuchs were men who would now be
considered gay. Queer. Or Transgender. The first conversion story in the NT is
of a black man who did not live up to, did not conform to society’s definition
of gender or sexuality. An outcast. A transgressor. A queer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the early Jesus community took him in as one of their
own. And stood with him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We love because he first loved us… for those who do not
love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have
not seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You have all been following to some extent what has been
happening in Aberdeen. The largest encampment of folks who are homeless was
given eviction notices in March and have been fighting for a place to stay ever
since. We have tried to do anything we can to stand with them—going to city
council, petitioning the city, gaining support, trying to work with churches to
open up their property for campers to use. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the most powerful witness has been the folks in the camp
who have stood up for each other. Some of you were there when the mayor and
city officials met with campers. A group of campers went to that meeting and
stood up for themselves and the people they were in community with. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">People took great risk to show up to a meeting like that.
People took great risk for their friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don’t think we always realize that to live on the streets
in the US is to live in the shadows. It is to live in constant fear of arrest.
It is to be called names to your face by people in power. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The streets of the harbor are a rough place, a difficult
place, as over half our population struggles to survive. The brightest moments
of hope are those moments when people find ways to take care of each other. By
checking in on people who are sick. By supporting each other in hard times. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And by taking a stand when people have nowhere else to go.
In Aberdeen, people on the streets and in poverty are learning to claim their
own leadership. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">They tell their stories so that they and their neighbors can have
somewhere to live. They risk being
called names to speak out to city council and beg city leaders to make sure
people are not thrown away. They are my heroes.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a saying, used often in Latin America, that “Solidarity
is the tenderness of the people”. I like that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As rough as the streets of the harbor are for people who are
struggling, I stand in awe of the tenderness of the people wherever I see it. I
consider myself honored beyond measure to witness it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We love because he first loved us… for those who do not
love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have
not seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you haven’t noticed, this is a sermon of stories. Stories
of love that I have witnessed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A few weeks ago, I went to a meeting in Olympia, where a
group of parents from Guerrero, Mexico were touring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last September, at a teacher’s training school
for poor students called Ayotzinapa, 43 students were kidnapped and
disappeared. Their parents have spent months looking for them. There is little
doubt that these students’ disappearance was connected to the Mexican police.
Over the past few months, citizens of Guerrero have taken the streets by the
thousands to stand with these parents and their disappeared sons. Moms and dads
of these disappeared students, most small farmers, have been touring the US,
telling their story and issuing their demands that the Mexican government
return their children and they know what happened to them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As they spoke with us, I thought again of the great love,
not only of parents for their children, but the great love of the people around
them, people who stood with them as they searched for their lost children,
often at very great cost. I got a glimpse of a whole city, a whole people
coming together. I wondered what that would look like here, on the harbor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s a terrible and a beautiful thing to witness love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We love because he first loved us… for those who do not
love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have
not seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-1646638719462437462015-04-26T20:40:00.000-07:002015-04-27T06:57:26.413-07:00Reading Exodus with Aberdeen's Poor<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We have been reading through the story of the Exodus for
Easter in Aberdeen. Today, we read Exodus 2, as Moses grows up
and God hears the cry of the slaves. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We had a lively discussion:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->People were struck by Moses’ courage, both in
defending his kinsman from a slave master and for leaving behind the “silver spoon” when the Pharaoh
put a price on his head. Working class and poor communities are well acquainted
with the reality of self-defense, so there was little moral concern with Moses’
actions. There was a lot more conversation around the violence perpetrated
against the Hebrew slaves and the courage it takes to stand against that kind
of violence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->People noted what happens when people are not
considered people. This was certainly true for the Hebrew slaves. It is also
true for people on the streets of Aberdeen. People talked about their experience
camping out and how they were stigmatized for doing what it took to survive—be that
sex work or building a home by the river. They told stories of how they had
been treated by those in authority as less than human,
even as they lost everything they owned. “There is nothing like being kicked
when you are down.” People were deeply concerned about what was going to happen
next as people fought against this eviction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We talked about the internal conflict within the
Hebrew community, as Moses tries to (rather arrogantly) break up a fight. “There
is so much stress when you are trying to survive. And all of this anger just
builds and builds. You start fighting each other. The stress just becomes too
much.” We talked about how real this is for people on the streets in Aberdeen,
as people compete for incredibly limited resources. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->As we talked about the experience of slaves
under their Egyptian masters, the conversation quickly turned to police violence. We talked about the
protests in Baltimore and the increasing number of documented cases of police
shootings and violence. We talked about people’s own experience of police. And
we talked about how people and their bodies (especially female bodies) are
policed and controlled through a complex systems of fines, jail time, warrants,
and court dates. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Over and over, people were struck by that
phrase; “And God heard their cry.” The group dynamic changed quickly and people began sharing how each had touched the lives of the other. People laid hands on each other and prayed for each other. Suddenly, as I witnessed that moment, I saw God hear people's cry as we listened to each other's cry. </span></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-17598426312113706972015-04-13T07:37:00.001-07:002015-04-13T07:37:07.302-07:00Easter Sermon in Westport
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I cannot tell you how blessed I have been by each of you as
we start this new ministry here. It has been so exciting to see new life coming
into the place. It has been so exciting to see all of the new ideas that you
all have for our future. It has been so exciting to see the leadership that you
all have taken. I am so very grateful to be here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the time of the year that we celebrate new fire and
new life. It comes at the right time, doesn’t it? This is also the time of year
that everything starts to grow again. Everything seems to be coming back to
life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s a great metaphor for this place, isn’t it? There is a
lot of history in this place and in this building. It was a school a long time
ago. Then it was a church and a clothing bank and a food bank. Then it was
empty for awhile. Now there is something new happening here—and you are all
co-creators in it. We are all building this together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In our gospel today, we have the story of three women who go
to the grave of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, Jesus has spent the last three years building a
movement. He has spent almost all of his time where he grew up, in the fishing
villages of Galilee. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He has preached things like this; “The kingdom of God is at
hand. Turn around—repent—and believe this good news.” He encouraged the poor
farmers and fisherfolk of Galilee, people who were suffering under the Roman
empire, people who were struggling with deep poverty, he encouraged them to
hope. Jesus told them that a better kingdom was possible. Jesus raised up
leaders from people like himself—people who were poor, who were craftsfolk, and
fisherfolk. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, the movement Jesus build got so large that the
religious and political leaders of the time started to take notice. And they
were afraid. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Jesus came to Jerusalem, the capital city, he was
arrested, tried, and imprisoned. Then the Roman governor sentenced Jesus to
death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can only imagine that the women who come to the grave of
Jesus are sad and they are scared. It seems like everything is crumbling around
them. They might have even been losing hope. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then they see this guy, sitting in the tomb, and he
tells them that Jesus is gone and that Jesus is risen from the dead. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you might know, there are four different versions of the
story of Jesus. The one that we read today was from Mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Mark leaves us hanging. The women go to the
tomb and they get told by this man in white that Jesus has risen. But they just
leave and they don’t tell anyone right away. They are still scared. And they
don’t know what is coming next. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They hear about new life. They hear about resurrection. But
they are not sure what that means yet. It is still a mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s a little like what this is like for us, here, isn’t
it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We don’t know what will come next for our little community
as we start this ministry up. We don’t know what kind of new life and new fire
will come out of this. We want to build a movement like Jesus did. We want to
see new life in our community. We want to sing and eat and pray and hope and
dream together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But we are just at the very beginning. We can’t even imagine
what it will look like in the future. We are like the women in our gospel
reading today. We are waiting, hoping for new life. Even when we don’t know
what is coming next. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m pretty sure, whatever does come, as you lead, and you
serve, and you dream together—I’m pretty sure its going to be awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-32872357233005460072015-04-13T07:34:00.005-07:002015-04-13T07:34:52.764-07:00What Resurrection Looks Like
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are all sorts of debates about the resurrection. Was
there really a resurrection? What do we mean by resurrection? Can someone
really come back from the dead?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, in our gospel this morning, we read about Thomas. We
always point to Thomas as the doubter; we call him “Doubting Thomas.” As the
man who could not believe unless he actually saw proof. Of course, we forget
that none of the disciples believed without seeing Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Honestly, I am one of those people that likes to see before
I believe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I like the concrete. The real. I want to see the resurrection.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That is why I love our Acts reading today. It says that the
apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection with great power. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then it tells us how.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The apostles didn’t give a powerful testimony to the
resurrection with complicated arguments. Or long sermons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They gave powerful testimony to the resurrection because
they lived the resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They lived new life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They lived a new way, in the face of empire, in the face of violence,
in the face of so much poverty and so much oppression. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The resurrection is not a one time event, not according to
this text in Acts. The resurrection keeps happening. Every day. And we get to
witness it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That early community in Jerusalem lived the resurrection. “There
was not a needy person among them.” A community was formed, a revolutionary
community. In the face of deep poverty, they shared wealth. In the face of
repression, they stood together. In the face of a culture of greed, they cared
for the common good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love this because I too get to witness the resurrection. I
have witnessed the resurrection in Southern Mexico, where small Oaxacan farmers
were banding together to take care of their communities and heal their land. I
have witnessed the resurrection on the streets of Boston, where I first worked
in street ministry while in seminary, as a whole community of people who had
lost everything came together as pilgrims, committed to eating and praying
together and helping each other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week, in my ministry, I have witnessed the resurrection.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I work in both Aberdeen and Westport.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you probably all know, and as you probably experience
here too, GHC is deeply poor. Almost half of our residents are accessing DSHS
services in order to survive, half of our residents are poor and low income. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, I work with a lot of folks experiencing homelessness. A
few weeks ago, Aberdeen’s largest homeless camp was issued an eviction notice.
People had a little over two weeks to leave the property. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And we did a lot of things. We went to city council and
asked for more time. People told their stories and the news ran articles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the miracle, as we reached holy week, was not all of
that. It was the community that was formed. It was the folks on the street who
came together and discovered their own leadership. They took ownership of their
own story. They supported each other. And members of the wider community
stepped up to support, to get to know people, to help clean up camps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This story is not over. We don’t know what will happen with
this encampment; the mayor decides this coming week. While we ask for your
prayers, I can also say that I have witnessed the resurrection in the courage,
the bravery, the community that has been formed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I also felt like I witnessed the resurrection in Westport
with our first Easter service. We’ve been open at the church that used to be St
Christopher’s for just two months. On Easter eve, we had a vigil and 55 people
showed up for our potluck. 35 people stayed for a bilingual service. It was
amazing, not so much because so many people showed up, but because I was really
completely unprepared. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was the folks in our community, the folks who have taken
their own leadership who fed each other, who found extra food when so many
people showed up, who took care of each other. As we lit the new fire,
surrounded by children, as we processed into the church speaking both English and
Spanish, we experienced the resurrection in a tiny fishing village in the
middle of nowhere. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The resurrection always comes in unlikely places. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A bunch of fishermen and sex workers and women from Galilee
are the first witnesses to resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A bunch of folks experiencing homelessness find community
and hope and their own leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A little fishing village celebrates Easter in two languages.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The resurrection is here and now. It is all around us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For those of us like Thomas, who must see to believe, the
resurrection is all around us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We can see it. Touch it. Experience it. Witness it. Every
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In little towns and big cities all over this diocese. In the
things that are small and week in this world. In the most unlikely places. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alleluia Christ is Risen! [Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alleluia—Christ is risen in you and you and you—in this town
of Seaview and in Westport and Aberdeen. Christ is risen as the poor take
leadership and as people stand with each other and churches are reborn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alleluia, Christ is Risen. Cristo ha resusitado.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-3901473571509518172015-03-29T21:20:00.000-07:002015-03-29T21:20:00.703-07:00Trash, Poverty, and Outrage
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="iol_imc" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" idx="1" style="height: 410px; left: 465px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 71.5px; visibility: visible; width: 600px;"><img class="mainImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fd/a2/a2/fda2a251ebca6177c97681be1f904809.jpg" style="background-color: white; height: 410px; width: 600px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash in a Refugee Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve never lived in a tent on the street or in a camp. But I
have definitely spent too much time without permanent or stable housing. I
couch surfed and lived out of my car off and on during my college years.
Through that time, I had a trash problem. I ate at fast food joints when I had
extra cash and accumulated the wrappers, I had piles of dirty clothes, and at
times, pretty much all my stuff needed to fit in a small, old Hyundai. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Partly, perhaps, I am just a disorganized person. But I didn’t
have a garbage can, though I did frequently bag everything up and stick it in
the trunk for the next time I visited a friend where I could toss my garbage in
their can. Mostly, the stress of trying to find places to stay or figure out if
I could eat or any number of other problems made trash the least of my
problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been hearing a lot about trash lately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As we have come to the city in protest of the upcoming
eviction of a local homeless camp, one of the issues that has become front and
center is the issue of trash. There have been moments I have wished that we
could be as enraged about the abysmal conditions people are forced to live as we are about trash along our shoreline. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the same time, we all get trash is a problem. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Trash is, at least in some ways, the creation of an
industrial world. And people who are poor always seem to live in the middle of
trash in our globalizing world. I was just in Palestine and the mounds of trash
on the edges of neighborhoods and towns was immense. The same is true of poor
communities everywhere in the modern world. Poor
communities in the United States. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are many reasons and different reasons for every place.
No managed landfills, not enough garbage pickup, people dumping either because
they can’t afford the dump or are cutting corners. Or people not being allowed
to use dumpsters, which happens frequently enough for people who live on the
streets in the US. Or the stress of trying to survive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All of us produce a huge amount of trash. People living in
houses in nice neighborhoods likely produce the most trash—we just do not see
it, because of a complex system of trash disposal, pickup, and dumping in huge
heaps or waterways far out of public eye. And people living in houses in nice
neighbors need to put very little effort into trash disposal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In camps along the river, the folks who live there are
constantly fighting a losing battle with trash, as people move in and out, as
they look for places to dump it, as they constantly battle the cold and wet to
stay dry and more stuff is ruined. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even as we find better ways to deal with trash, our real
outcry ought to be that people are forced to live in these conditions. No one
chooses to live in muddy, wet, crappy conditions if there are better options. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that I have stable housing and regular garbage pick-up
at my rental, I should note that I found I wasn’t such a messy person after
all. I really enjoy not having trash laying around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-24469349611274677272015-03-22T20:01:00.000-07:002015-03-22T20:01:18.952-07:00Unless a Corn of Wheat....
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOcJOQFgLKXnyLG34AIz8a5kUHIJ6tYuugz2Xuy-l7c1KCDLyk8Eaje83hvTvzn_DB7txAlc1bNZP2sicP62P4OJLMjAif_2_6hGIaHrtaMBM1fRY51EvSzLXg5qcVOrUsRAS9Cdu8TM/s1600/23cuaresmaB5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOcJOQFgLKXnyLG34AIz8a5kUHIJ6tYuugz2Xuy-l7c1KCDLyk8Eaje83hvTvzn_DB7txAlc1bNZP2sicP62P4OJLMjAif_2_6hGIaHrtaMBM1fRY51EvSzLXg5qcVOrUsRAS9Cdu8TM/s1600/23cuaresmaB5.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lent
always gives us the happy, cheerful readings, doesn’t it? At least it’s the
last Sunday before the passion and Easter! But this Sunday, we sit with Jesus
talking about death. In a few days, the church calendar will commemorate the
deaths of many Salvadorans during their civil war, including the death of their
archbishop. There is a Spanish artist, very popular in Latin America, named
Cerrezo Barrado who draws line drawings for each of the gospel texts in the
lectionary. The picture for this Sunday is deeply provocative. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a
drawing of three bodies, lying under the ground. Above ground, the hills are
covered in crosses. But over the bodies, flowers and wheat and corn are growing
out of them. In typical Latin American art, it focuses on death—people die just
like Jesus did every day—they die of poverty, of starvation, they die because
they are killed by their governments or shot in the streets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yet, as
Oscar Romero said before he died; “If I die, I will rise again in the
Salvadoran people.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Unless a
corn of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a grain of wheat. But if
it dies, it brings much fruit.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unlike El
Salvador, perhaps, we in the U.S. don’t like to talk much about death in our
culture, do we? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we don’t
even like to mourn, if we can help it. We grin and bear it. We try to hide
death away in sterile hospitals and pretty funeral homes and out of the way
homeless camps, but we avoid the topic if we can.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have stood
at many deathbeds in my life, personally and in my ministry. Most of
us have lost people we love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And death
is a terrifying, mysterious, devastating thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it is
made all the harder because, in our culture, we never talk about death. Because
we all walk around with this hidden pain and cannot talk about it. Now, I know
that this sounds morbid, and I know that I am young and perhaps least qualified
to talk about death. But, after all the years that I’ve seen it, I’ve come to a
realization.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We never
want to believe that death is a part of life. We live in a constant denial of
death so often in our culture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This Lent,
one of my practices has been to think about death as holy. This is a holy
thing. Death is a holy thing. It is not just terrifying, not just mysterious,
not just devastating. It is also holy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, in
our text today, in John, Jesus talks about his death. These stories are unique
to John and in this text, Jesus compares his death to the natural processes of
seeds dying. Only after a seed is dead can it be planted and bring flowers and
corn and wheat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If life is
sacred, then death is sacred too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we thought of death as sacred, perhaps we
would allow ourselves the time to mourn, because mourning is a sign of our
great love for the person who has died. It is how we honor the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we
thought of death as sacred, perhaps we would feel less guilt as our loved ones
leave us and we are powerless to stop it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we
thought of death as sacred, we could allow ourselves to be angry at the dead
too, especially at those who once wronged us, because God can hold the person
who is gone, and we don’t have to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we
thought of death as sacred, we could better remember that those we love who die
live on in the hearts of those who loved them and in the arms of the great
Creator. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we
thought of death as sacred, we could one day welcome death ourselves and ask
what it means to die a good death. Maybe we would be less afraid to live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is
more to this too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we
thought of death as sacred in our world, we would work to insure that everyone
could die a good death. That is why Jesus’ death—an unjust death, a death by
execution at 33 years old, was a death that entered into judgment with the
powers of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">John
Steinbeck, in the Grapes of Wrath, tells the story of how poor and hungry
migrants, fleeing the dust bowl to work in California, watched all of this
food—potatoes and oranges and vegetables— food that could not be sold being
destroyed. He wrote; “In the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In
the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy,
growing heavy for the vintage.” God, through the poor, enters into judgment
with a society that allows people to die unjustly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A society
that denies the sacredness of death does not prioritize that people live
abundantly and die well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think
about this in Grays Harbor—where, although we do not see death as close and
intimately as El Salvador did during that terrible war, we are still
struggling. Nearly 50% of our people in this county are poor by DSHS standards.
That is quite the crisis— We do struggle far too often with unjust death—<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, yet,
the people of this county still hope for and fight for a better life. Flowers
bloom from the bodies of our dead and those who have died alone speak to us
from beyond the grave. God counts their deaths as sacred even if the powers of
the world do not. And their deaths enter into judgment with greed and power and
apathy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the mountains of Chiapas in Southern
Mexico, one of the Zapatista leaders said; “In the mountains of Chiapas, death
was a part of daily life… Death becomes a daily fact. It loses its sacredness.
..Death, which is so close, so near, so possible, is less terrifying for us
than for others. So, going out and fighting and perhaps meeting death is not as
terrible as it seems. For us, at least. In fact, what surprises and amazes us
is life itself. The hope of a better life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think about this right now in Aberdeen. Last
week, people who camp out by the river were given notice that they had until
March 31 to leave their camps. The city has nowhere for these folks to go. It is
one more step that displaces people even further. Now, for the growing number
of people homeless in this county and in this country, death is very near all
the time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Displacing people like this adds one more
layer of complication, one more layer of danger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The people
of the camps in Aberdeen have asked me, have asked us to stand with them. They
are struggling for life and for survival in a world that does not see their
bodies, their lives as sacred or as holy. This week, I am speaking to city
council—and we ask for prayers and even your presence—asking them to either
halt the eviction or give people somewhere to go. We are asking for people to
be treated as sacred, as human, as people. We are asking that this city, and
this county, prioritize the common good. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We want
unjust death to end in this county. We want all lives to be valued. We want
people have access to abundant life and a good death. We want our towns to come
alive again, even in death, and the prophet Isaiah tells us that the only way
that that happens is to care for the common good. To end injustice. To end
homelessness. To care for each other and rebuild together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This Lent,
for ourselves and in our own lives, and for people struggling in this county….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we pray
that all bodies and all people, in life and in death, will be honored as
sacred, as holy.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-4954234439707698352015-03-13T20:53:00.000-07:002015-03-13T20:53:00.943-07:00A CALL TO ACTION<a class="iol_imc" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" idx="1" style="height: 427px; left: 445px; top: 77px; visibility: visible; width: 640px;"><img class="mainImage" src="http://thedailyworld.com/sites/thedailyworld.com/files/field/media/web1_cold2_web_1.jpg" style="background-color: white; height: 427px; width: 640px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the past week, people
camping in Aberdeen have been issued eviction notices.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Aberdeen, if you are
really down and out, if you have lost everything, if you get kicked out of your
parents’ or your friend’s place, if you need to save money to pay for a hotel
during the winter, there is one last place to go. Along the Chehalis river
running through town, in the ruins of old mills and pilings, people have
semi-permanent camps. Some brave souls live year round in the camp. The rest
migrate in and out as their fortunes change. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every year or two, the
camps are evicted. One year, residents say that the city moved in and burned
everything. In the months following, people always come back. Because it truly
is the last place for Aberdeen’s poorest. Over the summers I have been here, up
to 70 people camp along this stretch of river. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">This time, word on the
street is that the city hopes that this is a permanent eviction. There are
hopes for a waterfront park instead. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over and over, people tell
me; “In this city, the poor are of no importance. We are just a nuisance in the
way of redevelopment.” People who camp are asking; “Where will we go?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The city has no plan in
place to answer that question.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is in times like this,
moments like this, when the church is called to make a stand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are only just
beginning, listening to people on the ground, building relationships, researching
next steps. And here is how you can join us:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We will attend and
voice our concerns at Aberdeen City Council, Wednesday, March 25. If you are
local, please join us at 7:00 pm, as we ask city council to take our concerns
about housing seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are actively
looking for ideas for places that camps can relocate and people can find temporary
relief. Public land, private land, church parking lots. If you know any place
that could work, please let us know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If there is a
forcible eviction, we will do everything we can to be present in protest and
witness. Stay tuned and please join us. We would love to have as many people as
possible join. The more attention we can get to this dismantling of people’s
homes, the better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A group of pastors
in town are collaborating to put together a research project, assessing housing
in Aberdeen. Who owns it? What condition is it in? How many houses stand empty?
We are fundraising to support a few college interns to assist with this data
gathering. We expect that this will be part of a long term effort to address
our long term housing crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We ask you to join
us in prayer for this city and most particularly for those who are most
affected by this eviction. May God grant justice to his people!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-69634643552973293752015-03-07T18:08:00.002-08:002015-03-07T18:08:56.506-08:00Talking About Race
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One black man is killed every 28 hours by the police. Another
young man was just shot in Madison, WI last night. A few weeks ago, a young
black women struggling with mental health issues was suffocated while praying. Reports
coming out of Ferguson talk about extensive poverty, police targeting of black
residents, and a complex system of fees, fines, and debtor’s prison. Nearly a
million black men and women are in our prison system. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When white professionals, especially white church
professionals, talk about race, we like to talk about our feelings. And we like
to talk about interpersonal racism. Did I say the right thing? How do I feel about
my mom dating a black man? These can be helpful conversations, but sometimes I
think we like to pretend that racism would go away if we were all nicer to each
other and just learned to get beyond questions of race. And, even more to the
point, we all need to acknowledge that, honestly, when we talk about racism
only in the context of our own feelings, we make it all about us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But in the wider world, people are actually dying. I mean,
black women and men are getting shot in the streets. Black communities, disproportionately
poor, are denied access to the basic means of life. They are also targeted by a
system that intentionally penalizes poverty. People die in this system. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I’d like to talk a little less about my feelings about
race. We have more pressing questions, I think.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Like, how do we preach openly about racism—not just as how
we feel about each other, but also the hard, systemic realities of how racism
plays out in this country? Its not a comfortable sermon in many congregations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I want to have hard conversations about how we as white
professionals interact with the police. Many of us assume that calling the
police in a mental health crisis or during an altercation on church property is
the thing to do. For many of us, it is our first choice. Do we ever ask how
this affects our role in the community or what side this puts us on in the long
run with people actually struggling to survive in our communities? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I work in majority white, poor contexts and many white
church leaders I know work in poor or working class contexts. How do we not
only acknowledge the racism and prejudice that is present in white communities,
but also the role and function it plays? Poor and working whites have long
bought into the myth of white supremacy, therefore keeping poor whites from
uniting with poor people of color. How do we make this plain in our
communities, how do we point this out in a way that brings repentance and
change? How, for example, might Ferguson (majority black) and Aberdeen
(majority white) see that they are both targets of the same system?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I want to talk about prisons. I want to talk about how
religious language justifies our prison system, justifies our drug wars, a war
and a system that overwhelmingly targets people of color. With the highest
incarceration rates in the world, the church generally says nothing. The church
is perhaps one of the few institutions in this country that could actually conceive
of alternative ways of dealing with interpersonal violence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are real, pressing questions. Questions that deserve
our time and energy. I work in a context of crisis, in a community also
struggling to survive. Perhaps it makes these questions all the more urgent for
me. Too often, I sit with people dying as a direct result of racism and the
criminalization of poverty. We desperately need to be talking about it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-28641076586358524312015-02-24T10:38:00.001-08:002015-02-24T10:38:49.587-08:00Walking the Minefields: Lent 1<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
Text: Mark 1:9-15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">St Columba's Kent, WA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I just returned from a trip to Palestine. While I was there,
we visited the Jordan river and reaffirmed our baptismal vows in the muddy
waters of the Jordan. The area was under Israeli control and as we walked back
the land on either side of us was littered with minefields. Barbed wire fences
marked “Danger! Mines!” surrounded us. It was a reminder of the war and the
destruction experienced in that land. It was a reminder of the giant concrete
wall that ran through that land, imprisoning a whole people under occupation.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vKASpUc8fUVlJGACoh7BkWBkH9vI8nzzfH0xUNygh6hsmENW7ULU0krjEcI9FvvWd0K18ZzVnffCFIn6t1ad5qZOqs0oxtt_sAcNDad5krFKd66D0O1q_OoI5srg-7qRXLERj-WsWU4/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vKASpUc8fUVlJGACoh7BkWBkH9vI8nzzfH0xUNygh6hsmENW7ULU0krjEcI9FvvWd0K18ZzVnffCFIn6t1ad5qZOqs0oxtt_sAcNDad5krFKd66D0O1q_OoI5srg-7qRXLERj-WsWU4/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the river, we said:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We will continue in the apostles teaching, the breaking of
the bread, and prayers.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the river, we said:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We will respect the dignity of every human being”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We reaffirmed our baptismal covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then we walked past a minefield to bear witness to
tremendous suffering and oppression.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Jesus was baptized in that same river 2,000 years ago,
he was also living under military occupation. He was living in a land suffering
from deep poverty, suffering the humiliation and the danger of living under a
military occupation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He was baptized in that land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, after his baptism, after his wilderness experience, he
sets off to Galilee, the place he grew up, to proclaim this message: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come
near; repent, and believe in the good news."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I always imagine what a message this must have been in
Galilee. The place where over half of what people grew to eat was taxed and so
children went hungry. The place where, at times, the roads were lined with
crosses as the Roman governor executed rebellious people. The place where I
imagine people were so tempted to give into despair. To give up hope. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The kingdom of God has come near.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Turn around. Turn away from despair. Turn away from
hopelessness. Turn away from the messages of empire. And build a new kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And turn toward the kingdom of God, which is here, which is
coming. Believe that this good news is possible. Trust and hope that it is
possible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The kingdom of God comes, and Jesus preaches it, as he walks
into the minefields with his people. As he walks the way of the death with his
people—he points to the coming kingdom of God. He teaches his people to live
the kingdom of God in the face of empire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In Acts, as Jesus’ followers take up his mission, they
design a community where all are fed and no one goes hungry. They design a
community where all are given dignity and are able to live in dignity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a few of you might know, I work in Grays Harbor County,
in Aberdeen and Westport, both rural towns, and I run a ministry called
Chaplains on the Harbor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our mission is to work alongside people living on the
streets and in poverty. We struggle deeply with poverty in my county. 50% of
people live under 200% of the poverty line. Hundreds of my brothers, my sisters
live on the street and hundreds more, esp young people, couch surf. In
Aberdeen, we die of treatable diseases and often live in homes and tent cities
without running water, heat, or electricity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And people have so often given into despair. 1/3 of our high
schoolers struggle with severe depression. Most of the people I talk to wonder
if hope is possible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">People who visit Grays Harbor or Aberdeen say; “I’ve never
seen so many people, I’ve never seen so many young people who look so
defeated.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this place, in this context, Jesus’ message is profound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Turn around. Repent. The kingdom of God is coming. Hope is
possible. Each of you, every one of us, is a child of God and deserves dignity
and life and a future.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This Lent, in our Bible study, we are asking about our hopes
and dreams for Aberdeen. People who are experiencing dire poverty are asking—how
can we raise awareness of poverty in our city? How can we address the powers
that be? How can we fight for better housing and a better life? How can, and
people get really excited about this, how can we build a movement to end
poverty in our county?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How can, in other words, how can we struggle for the kingdom
of God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What we see in Aberdeen and in Westport, is the same thing
that people all over the US are experiencing. Its not only Aberdeen. In the
United States, 1% of our population, 3.5 million people, are homeless in any
given year. In the United States, 50% of our national population is either poor
or low income, and a growing number of those people are in small towns and
suburbs. Poverty is a national crisis. It is our minefield. I know you see
similar realities here in Kent, in south King county, with increasing suburban
poverty and homelessness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Part of the reason I was invited to come here and speak with
you is that you are hosting a men’s shelter for the month of March. First, I
want to say, thank you so much for being willing to do this. The number of
people who are finding themselves houseless is growing in this country. What a
great Lenten practice, to live out the gospel in this way, to offer shelter to
Jesus wandering on the road, to give rest to Jesus as he walks the way of the
cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today, it is an invitation to our baptismal covenant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So often, in our society we frame this work as “helping
others.” As “doing a Christian duty of charity.” Feeding the hungry, housing
the houseless. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our baptismal covenant frames it differently. It frames our
calling, our vow to continue in the apostles teaching—those practices of living
together in a world where all are fed and none are hungry, where we give up
greed for wealth and power and distribute as each has need. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It frames our calling, our vow to respect the dignity of
every human being. We live in a world, in a society that blames the poor for
their poverty. People who have nowhere to go carry a tremendous burden of
shame. A tremendous burden under a message of worthlessness and hopelessness.
In my ministry, nothing has been more important than affirming people’s dignity
and worth as children of God, all the beloved children proclaimed at Jesus’
baptism. The people who will come into your doors next month are people with
gifts and wisdom to offer the church, perhaps more than you could ever imagine.
Never forget, you will not serve them; you invite them to serve and share with
you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are always called to join the poorest as they struggle
for the kingdom. Last week, a guy in our Bible study, a man who has lost
everything but his courage and his deep faith, said; “We are people—we might
struggle with addiction, we might be homeless, but don’t forget that more and
more Americans are just a paycheck away from the same situation. We all deserve
dignity and respect.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This our baptismal covenant. That we walk together, brothers
and sisters, housed and unhoused, the poor of the earth, into death. Into the
minefields. As we turn away from the messages of our culture. As we struggle
together for hope. As we struggle together for the kingdom. As we struggle together
for dignity. As we struggle together to not only address the effects of
poverty, but to end it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-71015737016519106982015-02-24T10:32:00.003-08:002015-02-24T10:33:25.760-08:00Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory<span style="font-size: large;">Text: Mark 9:2-9<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>Transfiguration Sunday</o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The day before I left for my pilgrimage to Palestine, I went to the theater and watched the new movie “Selma.” It tells the
story of Martin Luther King Jr and his march on Selma, AL during the civil
rights movement. It’s a fascinating film about an important time in our
history. I was especially fascinated by the portrayal of King. He is portrayed
as a man really deeply struggling with his role in the movement and he has this
strong sense that he may not live much longer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The movie ends with King reiterating his conviction
that freedom is coming for his people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps the most powerful part of the movie for me was
a song performed by John Legend and Common, called “Glory.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">One day
when the glory comes<br />
It will be ours, it will be ours<br />
Oh one day when the war is won<br />
We will be sure, we will be sure<br />
Oh glory (Glory, glory)<br />
Oh (Glory, glory)<br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Welcome to the story we call victory<br />
The comin' of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It was
this song that kept playing over and over in my head as I read our gospel for
today and was thinking about this sermon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our text
is the story of Jesus revealing his glory. Jesus, the poor wandering rabbi of
the gospels, reveals himself to three of his disciples in glory. And he stands
with a cloud of witnesses, with Moses, the ancient liberator of his people, and
Elijah, the great defender of the poor. And a voice from heaven acknowledges
him as the Beloved Son. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazing,
right? Jesus revealed in glory. In the Holy Land, we visited the Church of the
Transfiguration, built on where some scholars believe this happened, on Mt
Tabor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">But we
usually read this story as if it stands alone in the text. And it doesn’t. In
every gospel this story is told, it occurs just after Jesus warns his disciples
of his coming death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus has
built a movement. A movement proclaiming a better kingdom, a movement of
healing, a movement of liberation for the poor of Galilee. He is not stupid. He
knows what happens to Galilean troublemakers. It is not much of a stretch to
imagine that Jesus expected to die, expected to be arrested, expected to be
executed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a
few verses before our text this morning, Jesus turns to his disciples and
begins to teach them that he will suffer, that he will be rejected by the
religious and political leaders of Jerusalem, and that he will be executed. The
disciples, of course, are frightened and upset. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so
Jesus turns to them, and to the crowd around them, and says; “If anyone wants
to follow me, he must take up his cross.” Now, lets be really clear. Everyone
knows what Jesus means here. He is not talking about bearing burdens—a cross is
a method of execution, a method used frequently in ancient Palestine by the
Romans to keep people in line. Jesus is saying—in essence—be willing to go to
the electric chair, or face lethal injection. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">So. Jesus
is revealed in glory. Only after he tells them not only is HE going to die, but
that if they keep following him, they just might die too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s a
fitting text for this last Sunday of Epiphany, as we begin Lent, is it not? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">First,
Jesus calls his disciples to follow him on the way of the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
Palestine, I got to walk the actual way of the cross, on the stones Jesus
probably walked on the way to the cross. That was a powerful time for me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">But what
kept coming to me was how many people have walked this way of the cross, walked
the way of suffering and death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus was
not the first or the last person crucified. What we have in Jesus is God
joining a long line of people who have walked the way of suffering and death.
God becomes one of us and dies at the hands of cruelty and evil and empire like
one of us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like King
and so many of the men and women and children that marched with him in Selma.
Marched for freedom from empire and cruelty. In Selma, a number of people are
killed during the march and its aftermath. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like so
many young black men and women today, in Ferguson or NYC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">In our
Bible study in Aberdeen, the group asked me to gather dirt from the Holy Land
and bring it back. So I did, and I gathered that dirt as we walked up to
Jerusalem, on the way of the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
Lent, on Good Friday, we are planning on walking through Aberdeen, walking our
own way of the cross, acknowledging the suffering and death that people
experience here and now, today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">All over
the world, people still walk the way of the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here, in
our county, we still walk the way of the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, yet,
as soon as Jesus speaks of the cross, of coming death, he takes his most
trusted disciples, goes out on a mountain, and reveals his glory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because,
after the way of the cross comes glory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because,
life comes out of death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because,
freedom will come. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because
the Christian story does not end at the cross, but in glory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus, in
our text, is reminding his disciples of this. Even as they look toward the way
of cross, even as they face death, they hold on to the hope of triumph and
glory. The kingdom of God is coming, no matter what empires do, no matter if we
live or die.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of
you might have heard the news recently that the current pope, Pope Francis, is
working to make Oscar Romero, the archbishop of El Salvador, a saint. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oscar
Romero’s story and his writings have had a profound impact on me. He became
archbishop in El Salvador during a time of civil war, in the late 70s, during a
time when poor communities were being targeted by the government and numerous
people were dying. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a
time when the Roman Church was largely silent and even complicit in the mass
suffering of the people of El Salvador. I have a friend who was in El Salvador
at the time, and her stories are chilling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">So,
Romero did a dangerous thing. He openly stood up to the government. He openly
took the side of poor communities. And, in 1980, Romero was shot by a
government agent while celebrating the Eucharist during Lent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few
weeks before he died, he said; “This Lent, which we observe amid blood and
sorrow, ought to presage a transfiguration of our people, a resurrection of our
nation… Those who have Christian faith and hope know that behind this Calvary
of El Salvador lies our Easter, our resurrection.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Romero knew,
even as he walked his own way to the cross with his people, the hope of the
transfiguration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
struggle sometimes to hope. We struggle to hold on the hope of transfiguration,
of glory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have
people tell me all the time; “Nothing will ever change here. Don’t get your
hopes up. Things have been bad for a long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can the
kingdom really ever come?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus, in
our text today, points us to the long journey toward freedom, toward the
kingdom of God, following Moses, following Elijah, waiting for the glory of the
Lord revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Remember
that last sermon given by King, the night before he died? His hope that his
people, that African Americans in the US would find freedom.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Like anybody, I would like
to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that
now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the
mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get
there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get
to the promised land! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">"And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not
worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory
of the coming of the Lord!”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like the disciples, King had been to the mountain and
seen the glory of the Lord. And he had a rock solid hope that as he walked the
way of the cross, quite literally, his people would see that glory too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, my brothers and sisters, as we prepare for a Holy
Lent, as we prepare to at least symbolically walk the way of the cross with
Jesus, lets not forget the Transfiguration. Lets not forget that our eyes have
indeed seen the coming of the Lord and that he is coming in glory to give
freedom and liberation to his people. To us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Welcome to the story we call victory<br /> The comin' of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-11236073076345559882015-02-18T20:56:00.003-08:002015-02-19T07:08:28.938-08:00Remember you are Dust<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ash Wednesday. We say; “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall
return.” It is a day we tangibly remind ourselves of our mortality. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We all need to remember that, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When we imposed ashes under the bridge today, I was struck
that everyone who asked for ashes deeply, viscerally understood mortality. It
was a day of crisis, as are many days in this work. One woman asked for prayers
for her daughter who had just lost housing and was struggling with an eating
disorder. Another woman’s granddaughter had just died in a car crash. One guy
was healing from a broken back and another was considering a visit to the ER
for a growing infection. Death is a specter never far away on the streets and
people encounter mortality often. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One woman began to sing her sorrows; “We are dying under the
bridge in Aberdeen.” She told of death and sorrow, addiction and pain and her
song pleaded for the world to take notice of the forgotten folks on the street.
Her hoarse voice, her tears—I only wish I could have recorded what she sung.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We all need to hear the words; “Remember you are dust, and to dust
you shall return.” But, under the bridge, people already know that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The people who forget our common mortality—and by extension
our common humanity—are usually those of us in positions of power. When I
walked past the police station and city hall today, I thought; “You are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPe_ljWJESHcY1553giebAkFF4epI-ISkRhobtIhxwi2a4ZTG9KhB0fGmV_ZXabU33wPB6Np_ZKBwVBn5RC-6ju0lrPnr7C7ux0Fqbbwla6Fv5lGfI0nGf6imvxm2Jcty82VWWTnywn0/s1600/aberdeen-town-hall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPe_ljWJESHcY1553giebAkFF4epI-ISkRhobtIhxwi2a4ZTG9KhB0fGmV_ZXabU33wPB6Np_ZKBwVBn5RC-6ju0lrPnr7C7ux0Fqbbwla6Fv5lGfI0nGf6imvxm2Jcty82VWWTnywn0/s1600/aberdeen-town-hall.png" height="199" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In situations of oppression, when people begin to lose hope,
there is hope in words that remind us that no human person or institution lasts
forever. That oppression itself cannot last forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thought of the towering wall running through Palestine,
the wall that I just witnessed imprisoning a whole people. “You are dust, and
to dust you shall return.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7me6Dspg2j5aL52Cq8BbiOVeCjlJCEFmvrTk2KCHTaa4TURJBJTMUJuEps7Ilv-_1BbxBgS9ux7isyC1Jhj-n205AmtsDk-y0coQWkP41xtMZV8Ts56jNRco79UP9jwHkkmodqpRjnQ/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7me6Dspg2j5aL52Cq8BbiOVeCjlJCEFmvrTk2KCHTaa4TURJBJTMUJuEps7Ilv-_1BbxBgS9ux7isyC1Jhj-n205AmtsDk-y0coQWkP41xtMZV8Ts56jNRco79UP9jwHkkmodqpRjnQ/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thought of the great edifices we have built to wealth and
greed in this country. “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5YaO4hvU418TTbcjoMLLiS8UraK1g7H-ScFvUl5-h3cMaXWqDRh5m77bz_lRos9LmrTOUVGOuFK02znaAwDo9YXS-FhUd5xWC0pINA1u8akky11E4wdSFtv-yFyQ6tJm7XfeIJuq__A/s1600/wallstreet-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5YaO4hvU418TTbcjoMLLiS8UraK1g7H-ScFvUl5-h3cMaXWqDRh5m77bz_lRos9LmrTOUVGOuFK02znaAwDo9YXS-FhUd5xWC0pINA1u8akky11E4wdSFtv-yFyQ6tJm7XfeIJuq__A/s1600/wallstreet-01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I thought of all the prisons that dot our country, more numerous
that colleges in some places, incarcerating our young people and draining hope
from poor communities. “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYaryTSvl-J-Nfok5psKqyIhChAI-AwXQBHsPtVZRhjGGiijDpByEvF5XpLXPiU_3gRf5t3dCkiCY9s9wTEO2Spe5Tn1UBjtVF5a1o4DvrWPUtRBZmwZmDxfT6btljXD5AisqCS10lBM/s1600/18952689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYaryTSvl-J-Nfok5psKqyIhChAI-AwXQBHsPtVZRhjGGiijDpByEvF5XpLXPiU_3gRf5t3dCkiCY9s9wTEO2Spe5Tn1UBjtVF5a1o4DvrWPUtRBZmwZmDxfT6btljXD5AisqCS10lBM/s1600/18952689.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This Ash Wednesday, I am thinking of death and of mortality. But I am also imagining prisons and concrete walls and jails and temples of wealth crumbling into the dust. And imagining the poor of the earth triumphant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-55959622608211681892015-02-08T20:29:00.002-08:002015-02-08T20:29:34.660-08:00Sermon: Holding Hope in the Ashes of Empire<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text: Mark 1:29-39</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the reasons I was told I
should go to the Holy Land is because it makes the text comes alive. And it is
true. Its pretty amazing to read the text and have gone to see the synagogue in
Capernaum that Jesus spoke in during the first part of his ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know, Galilee is a beautiful
place, especially by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his ministry.
The gospels always talk about how Jesus goes out, away from the crowds and away
from people, to pray. And I did a lot of that by the Sea of Galilee—wandering away
to listen to the birds and sit with the trees and ancient stones. It honestly
wasn’t a whole lot different than sitting by the lake in Montesano—I always
learn that all lands are holy. Even where we live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps what struck me most on this
trip, though, was the current reality of people in Palestine. I talked to Palestinian
Christians and Palestinian Muslims, who all said just how difficult it was to
live under occupation in that land. I saw 25 foot concrete walls dividing the
land and keeping people imprisoned. I saw military roads and checkpoints
everywhere and people in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, told about how
impossible it was to travel because the Israeli government does not allow Palestinians
to travel without special permits. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story that probably touched me
most was talking to a man named Bassam Aramin. He told about growing up as a
Palestinian in Hebron, one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. He talked
about being in school and watching soldiers shoot his friends. He told about
how he joined other teens to resist military occupation and how he was arrested
and tortured in Israeli jails. And then he told about how he started a peace
organization, and not long after, how his 11 year old daughter was shot walking
home from school by an Israeli soldier patrolling the town. He now travels the
world telling his story, begging the world to recognize what is happening to
his people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not an easy story to hear. Everywhere
we went, especially in the West Bank, I felt this palpable sense of despair
among the people. “We are in prison on our own land,” everyone would say, “what
can we do?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could not help thinking through
all of this trip: this is the kind of world Jesus began his ministry in. In
another time where that region was also under military occupation. Jesus would
have heard and experienced all the same stories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What can we do?” That was the question.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then we met people who were
doing a whole lot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was the dynamic vice president
of a Lutheran Palestinian college, Nuha Khouri, in Bethlehem. They are inviting
and funding Palestinian young people from all over the region to come to their
school and study art and culture and urban design. They encourage these young
people to find hope and resistance in art. To write their stories. To design
new ways to express themselves as a Palestinian people. Nuha was born in
Bethlehem, educated in the US, and had a brilliant career ahead of her.
Instead, she came back home, with all of the occupation, unable to even travel
to Jerusalem, only a few miles away, and to teach young people behind the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was Hassan Ashwari, a dynamic
Palestinian woman and part of the new Palestinian government who speaks out
forcefully for her people and demands justice and a just peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a woman who hosted us in
east Jerusalem who had friends in Gaza, a part of the country so completely cut
off from the rest of the world that most people cannot even get past the
military blockade. This woman constantly tells her friends’ stories and
smuggles in supplies and money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of these women, all of these
people—I was struck that they were holding hope for their people. That in the
middle of despair, in the middle of a bleak future, they were charged with
holding hope for their people. For acting as if the kingdom of God is indeed
coming, as Jesus promised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like Peter’s mother in law, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its easy to miss this woman in the
story, isn’t it? Only one little line. Jesus heals her and she gets up and
starts serving everyone. It can honestly sound a little stereotypical even, can’t
it? A woman just gets up out of her deathbed and decides to start cooking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I wonder. You know, this is
Mark. And Mark is always in a hurry when he tells the stories of Jesus. (Did
you notice that there are three short stories in our text this morning?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Mark makes it really clear that
the kingdom of God, which is coming, which is here, is not some kind of ethereal
thing. Its not spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its about real life and real bodies
and real food and real healing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Peter’s mother in law—we don’t
even get her name—Peter’s mother in law gets that. She gets that the kingdom of
God is about cooking food, and creating community, and serving each other. Its
about repentance—that is it is about turning around. Turning from despair to
hope. Turning from the bad news of empire to the good news of God’s kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was holding hope for her people
in a really tangible way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because the kingdom comes when
Palestinian young people paint their experiences and when mother in laws make
dinner and when healing comes to a people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revolution comes, change comes when
people write their defiance on the walls that imprison them. When they tell
their stories. When they demand justice. The kingdom of God comes with real
people and real bodies and real healing and real hope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes we think that serving
meals or distributing clothes or talking to people or praying for people is
some way of doing our duty to society. Or helping people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it really isn’t. Or it doesn’t
have to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting a building cleaned out and
painted, like we have been doing in Westport. Making a meal, like you all just
did today. Sitting down and having a conversation with someone you just met. Dreaming
of a future. Studying the bible together. Visiting someone in jail. Teaching
kids.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These don’t just have to be a way
that we help each other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They can be a way that we work to
realize the kingdom of God together. These are revolutionary acts. They can be
the ways we repent, we turn around and embrace hope for our world, our county,
our towns. Ways we proclaim we do indeed believe the good news. Ways that we
say we will not live as empires tell us to. That we will live a different way,
a way that gives dignity and hope to our people. That we will build new
communities and new hope out of the ashes of empire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it may take a long time. But we
will do it. A Palestinian pastor in Bethlehem, Mitri Raheb said this; “When we
don’t know what to do, we go out and plant olive trees. We plant olive trees so
that our children will have shade to play in. We plant olive trees so that they
will have oil to bind up their wounds. And we plant olive trees, so that when
peace comes, when the wall comes down, we will have branches to wave to the
Prince of Peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-14838402243826660642015-01-24T11:22:00.002-08:002015-01-24T11:22:29.094-08:00Walking the Way of the Cross with Aberdeen
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When I told our Bible study I was going to the holy
land, I was asked to bring back dirt from the Holy Land, dirt that we could
spread on the streets of Aberdeen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For two days in Jerusalem, we walked the way of the
cross. We began on the Mount of Olives and walked down to the Kidron Valley.
The next morning, we walked the Via Dolorosa, the way of the cross, ending at
the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the site of the Resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I walked these two days specifically keeping Aberdeen,
keeping the harbor in my heart-- and collecting the dirt that they asked for. Walking this way of the cross and holding the
suffering and despair of my people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We began at the top of the Mount of Olives and at a
church that happened to be just across from a Palestinian home that had been
bulldozed by the state. This, unfortunately, is frequent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPh6LmJ0daFLRWQnWcd4NnpB2Z8NYLHMepRcBhIXAYqPsG7Cb4FsYxEGbPKmGs0DH15yNM-uu7DBUAlQ3Z1nMUdwtsxJECG9jgBwm_J6whuMacqOcQIFci0fwZWflszUHg-0mhCwIS7s/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPh6LmJ0daFLRWQnWcd4NnpB2Z8NYLHMepRcBhIXAYqPsG7Cb4FsYxEGbPKmGs0DH15yNM-uu7DBUAlQ3Z1nMUdwtsxJECG9jgBwm_J6whuMacqOcQIFci0fwZWflszUHg-0mhCwIS7s/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A demolished Palestinian home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The day was sunny and beautiful and I imagined Jesus
and his disciples walking up the Jerusalem on a similar day—singing as was the
custom, but also aware of coming execution. The Mount of Olives was truly
covered in ancient olive trees and as we walked, I prayed for the Harbor. I
imagined how often we feel that we are dying, that we are losing hope. I
thought about how, as a pastor, I am called to hold the despair of our people.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT7XEwxlOTfo80q_R0E3uXqCnFyn_Di6yS79Z8hnmmiwCfTZ_3-c0fSVZ3LGnq4P9su5tXAZWyTSD3BlgUnnNvT7dTl15489FQ9ch1Sg9da9TRGSUCHDNgpCI5L8keU8Pe0CZGfdja_E/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT7XEwxlOTfo80q_R0E3uXqCnFyn_Di6yS79Z8hnmmiwCfTZ_3-c0fSVZ3LGnq4P9su5tXAZWyTSD3BlgUnnNvT7dTl15489FQ9ch1Sg9da9TRGSUCHDNgpCI5L8keU8Pe0CZGfdja_E/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When we stopped in the church and garden of
Gethsemane, I sat for a long time in prayer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling the weight of all that was on my
heart, the weight of too much sorrow, just as Jesus did. And, suddenly, I
thought: “Jesus refused to simply endure. Refused, even in the garden, even in
his agonizing decision to stay and die, to give up hope. He still walked toward
liberation, toward the freedom of his people, toward resurrection. Even as he
faced death.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX1LVw7UFhpd6GvKtxR8qnaz_Q7zOUk2sD5r1spT-lsQEPyDApIxR0fBlhi5TfyNpRybsvSxwqSmpcBubBTuzRzh8zxvD2l4vPfXp_J6plpG7GyIX5n54q9CqspB_c97kQrrVC_gKijw/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX1LVw7UFhpd6GvKtxR8qnaz_Q7zOUk2sD5r1spT-lsQEPyDApIxR0fBlhi5TfyNpRybsvSxwqSmpcBubBTuzRzh8zxvD2l4vPfXp_J6plpG7GyIX5n54q9CqspB_c97kQrrVC_gKijw/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And, so, as we remembered Jesus who set his face
toward Jerusalem, I began to feel and to hold hope as well, hope for the future
of the harbor, hope for the future of our young people, hope for our
liberation, our freedom, our resurrection.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudXCmfvxRe66NM3E975NtR8jAlh_9BkXVz4vyOTaSqixri6ws0NlBi2mTqMBaEdTpxxyZI7Gxpe3UoTrQnxmaySrk-BVGwYke255tfiFkEAXkJ7xqvMV3KgZ5gKabR3GEcdLuVOuHfpQ/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudXCmfvxRe66NM3E975NtR8jAlh_9BkXVz4vyOTaSqixri6ws0NlBi2mTqMBaEdTpxxyZI7Gxpe3UoTrQnxmaySrk-BVGwYke255tfiFkEAXkJ7xqvMV3KgZ5gKabR3GEcdLuVOuHfpQ/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First century stone steps leading up the hill into the old city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On the hill leading up to Jerusalem, archaeologists
have uncovered ancient steps leading up to where they believe the high priest’s
house would have been located. A church has been built there, called Peter
Galicante, and under the church is the ancient foundation of the house and
where Jesus was likely held and imprisoned overnight before his trial. I spent
an hour at least in that place in prayer. I was overwhelmed by the thought of
Jesus’ suffering, as a person who had stood up to empire and to religious
authorities and I could not forget the prisons I had visited. The many I knew
who have been scarred by their experiences in prisons. The suffering of people
under empire. The suffering of people I know in Aberdeen, on the harbor, living
under empire as well, living without access to basic needs, living always with
the threat of jail. I wept for my people there in that ancient prison and I
prayed for courage there too, courage to stand with those I love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ49pfUqrmp82GjPlZIVZLBk4at_wPJJin25P0G4_sRVR7nrZhWNUDc7S_NSI8xoR6t98Wrn60HhQgfYVuf4YBhyphenhyphenlEw23w_XqAlaf4NjO4R7yBFJYpBFnLWQGdcRjAf19KFOOV0wnNBM/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ49pfUqrmp82GjPlZIVZLBk4at_wPJJin25P0G4_sRVR7nrZhWNUDc7S_NSI8xoR6t98Wrn60HhQgfYVuf4YBhyphenhyphenlEw23w_XqAlaf4NjO4R7yBFJYpBFnLWQGdcRjAf19KFOOV0wnNBM/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting outside where some believe Jesus was held overnight before his trial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vNd-0M0QqLNJxE6UiQQcRmq_lsik5VVDQ8ycZzOW8JojoyVkbTfCpo74LM8yiCG5ahJRLqWSJ-MxRybI5nYS6m7XUDi8MLtQxQUkc6Xf7BrnaBtAoptgqhpO_5St509xrSpB5Keuq_o/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vNd-0M0QqLNJxE6UiQQcRmq_lsik5VVDQ8ycZzOW8JojoyVkbTfCpo74LM8yiCG5ahJRLqWSJ-MxRybI5nYS6m7XUDi8MLtQxQUkc6Xf7BrnaBtAoptgqhpO_5St509xrSpB5Keuq_o/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I lit a candle for all those I know in jail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After a quiet night in the old city, we woke up to
another beautiful day. Beginning in the Church of St Anne, we began walking the
14 Stations of the Cross. Weaving in and out of markets and up the steps of the
old city, on the same stones Jesus would have walked, we followed Jesus’
journey from the prisons of empire to the site of his execution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus meets his mother. I thought of all the mothers I
know who have lost their children. I thought again of Mike Brown’s mother and
her cry; “They aint never gonna care.” Jesus falls. I thought of all the people
I know with severe injuries on the street without access to healthcare. Simon
carries the cross. I thought of all the men and women who take care of each
other in Aberdeen, who step in when there is no hope and show love and kindness—people
who have nothing who check in on their neighbors, people who watch out for each
other. Jesus is crucified. I thought of all the people who die, who are
crucified on an altar of greed, who are forgotten and alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally, we reached the Church of the Holy Sepulcher,
believed to be built over the site of Golgotha and the tomb. Hundreds of
pilgrims from all over the world swarmed the place and long lines formed to
kneel at the foot of the cross. Every language was spoken and five different
church traditions cared for the church. I knelt and then I lit a candle, there
at the foot of the cross, for Aberdeen, for the harbor and its people. There,
in an ancient land, in the company of millions of pilgrims from hundreds of
years, I brought our prayers, our hopes, our longing to the foot of the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyldw9E688qKFKNodrikurGu5V5vxrp8I5QX8_sCYX6sB8dDJT2D9RTr0-EsjCw5uPOklSynF-mRvgWgw2K2WoAeaCgJO_Dggb3u5fpSDkMbHvbTzzzysn8RndGwEGBeRZw_JlKbkMs/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyldw9E688qKFKNodrikurGu5V5vxrp8I5QX8_sCYX6sB8dDJT2D9RTr0-EsjCw5uPOklSynF-mRvgWgw2K2WoAeaCgJO_Dggb3u5fpSDkMbHvbTzzzysn8RndGwEGBeRZw_JlKbkMs/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A candle lit for the harbor at the foot of the cross</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometime in these coming months, we will spread that
dirt on Aberdeen, as we hold our despair and as we hold our hope and our
longing for liberation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-48254709660323625262015-01-24T10:02:00.000-08:002015-01-24T10:03:02.021-08:00Holy Land, Holy People<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2fb48DOqzq4F3vyRbLBWc5GVFz7tEACbq22sbHvlVETLRYhmkpbPJlElO4BIW06znTLBuG6pN9kKeB_Eg5hHoAX-0M1UCS_pMw-SjH5VLDsS-Jbf_MbulVcV-cOqhjyCXrwZ1geUNr4/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2fb48DOqzq4F3vyRbLBWc5GVFz7tEACbq22sbHvlVETLRYhmkpbPJlElO4BIW06znTLBuG6pN9kKeB_Eg5hHoAX-0M1UCS_pMw-SjH5VLDsS-Jbf_MbulVcV-cOqhjyCXrwZ1geUNr4/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea of Galilee at Sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes when you return from a pilgrimage or a
journey of discovery, it can be hard to find the words to explain your
experiences. There is a deep need to express what you have seen and heard and
an equally deep sense that no words can do it justice. Especially if you have
borne witness to great suffering, words can seem overwhelming inadequate, even
impossible. There is a sense that all witness must be silent, because when
words are spoken they cannot say all of what must be said; there is also a
sense that all witnesses must speak, in order for the world to hear what they
have witnessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In my visit to Palestine, I went with two goals:
first, a religious goal, to see the land that Jesus walked and to see the place
where the Jesus movement started, where good news was preached to the poor. The
second goal was to see the reality, on the ground, of the Palestinian people
and, as a Christian cleric, the reality of Palestinian Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw a land of great beauty. A land that is as
ordinary as any other place—and as holy as any other land. I touched the rocks
and sea and stones that Jesus may have and I wept where he likely was
imprisoned before he died. I saw the words he first preached in Nazareth
inscribed in a church there, in the lovely Arabic script; “The spirit of the
Lord is upon me, to proclaim good news to the poor.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXSPkCoHaFUgBGjL5NN2O4qQrZgoLCgVAIGxQZnE3sXAv4KvxBJILYEgixiyQXKmL5qibP81vgfA5NYcuXpw8uLb34OTH2anFLVyaKnGqbFyTSgJOMBEzNT7IhRbovQT8HSGTSuRwxqk/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXSPkCoHaFUgBGjL5NN2O4qQrZgoLCgVAIGxQZnE3sXAv4KvxBJILYEgixiyQXKmL5qibP81vgfA5NYcuXpw8uLb34OTH2anFLVyaKnGqbFyTSgJOMBEzNT7IhRbovQT8HSGTSuRwxqk/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The altar at Christ's Church, Nazareth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I worshipped on a holy land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And, yet, it was the words of Bassam Aramin that
struck me as the most powerful spoken on the trip; “We are more holy than any
holy land.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is easy to simply follow the prescribed order of
things—to remain a tourist on a tour with other Christian clergy—to goggle at
the plethora of churches built over every possible site and peruse the hundreds
of gift shops with souvenirs and tokens. To turn away from the suffering of the
people on a land called holy in the name of worshiping the holy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That is the easiest thing to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is harder to listen to Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian
living under occupation who told a story of his imprisonment and torture in
Israeli jails as a young man and the death of his 11 year old daughter, shot at
a checkpoint coming home from school. Harder to listen to the shopkeepers of
Bethlehem, behind the great Wall dividing the land, who all said the same
thing; “We live in a prison. What are we supposed to do?” Harder the listen to
Rev <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nael Abu Rahmoun, pastor
of a church in Nazareth, who said; “We are all forgotten here.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tPIn1TWU-mAtQ8eSVtylpbqrd8x8nUsSf4bxVCI35f5rTnhlBrI_HWR5CiN_cP0884Fk41xQnO7wRs-u2x6G1bM8P36RdtEzIZHBtZiwv9nmb85ocTH5k_UxaMYYHFdn-aGdt0Xz_-k/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tPIn1TWU-mAtQ8eSVtylpbqrd8x8nUsSf4bxVCI35f5rTnhlBrI_HWR5CiN_cP0884Fk41xQnO7wRs-u2x6G1bM8P36RdtEzIZHBtZiwv9nmb85ocTH5k_UxaMYYHFdn-aGdt0Xz_-k/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall that divides Bethlehem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Holy lands are
easy to see. But we often turn away from the suffering of holy people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As I continue
to reflect over the coming weeks, I am going to tell my story of encountering a
holy land, but I am also going to tell of encountering the suffering of holy
people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-18109842904958112542014-12-28T19:05:00.000-08:002014-12-28T19:05:30.815-08:00Listening to Our Children
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>The Feast of Holy Innocents: Matthew 2:13-18</o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Merry Christmas! The gospel we just read really puts
you in the Christmas spirit, doesn’t it? I asked that we read the passages for
the Feast of Holy Innocents today—and as I’ve been preparing this sermon over
Christmas, I started wondering if that was really a good idea. Its pretty dark
stuff, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That is something I have been noticing about our
Christmas readings and stories this season, though. They are not all peace and
joy, are they? I mean, a baby born in a cold stable in the middle of a
traveling nightmare? I’m sure Mary was not in the best of Christmas moods. And,
then, in our readings today, that child is threatened with death and his
parents flee with him, refugees and immigrants into Egypt. Sure, there are the
happy shepherds and the singing angels too. But there is also a cruel king and
the cruelty of poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Christmas is a real mixed bag. That’s true for a lot
of us, isn’t it? The holidays are hard for a lot of us. It is the time we usually—but
not always--get to spend time with family and eat good food and take time off
from school and work. It is also the time we remember loved ones we have lost,
the time we see the empty chairs at our tables. It is sometimes the time we
remember what could have been and it is sometimes a time where it is easy to
feel lonely. And, sometimes, honestly, it is tense and boring and you just want
the holidays over with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So that dark story of today—the day we remember the
children slaughtered by Herod. There is no other historical record of the
children of Bethlehem being slaughtered outside of Matthew, but there is a lot
of historical evidence of the cruelty of Herod the Great during his time as the
Roman crowned “king of the Jews”. He is best known for the murder of his own
sons—there was a saying at the time of Herod that it was better to be Herod’s
pig than his son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t think we can imagine what it might have been
like in Bethlehem under Herod. Sitting in this church, it is hard to imagine what
it would be like to be a mother in Herod’s Judea. To fear for your child. To
fear that they would die of starvation in the land of bread. To fear that they
would be murdered by soldiers. To fear that they would never grow up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That world can seem very far away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And sometimes it can seem really close. This day was once “the Children’s Mass” in
medieval churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also the
subject of the many gospel mystery plays in medieval England. The song we often sing during this season is “The Coventry Carol”—the theme song of a travelling play in Coventry.
It was written to be the song of the mothers of Bethlehem saying goodbye to
their dying children. “By, by, thou little tiny child…” It’s a haunting song, a
song that keeps running through my head this advent season. For mothers in
Coventry, during civil unrest and civil war in England, singing about their
dying children must have seemed very close indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There is something that makes me uncomfortable about
this day and how we remember it, though. We call it the feast of Holy
Innocents. We paint pictures of pretty children in the arms of pretty mothers.
We pray only for “the innocents.” We have this ideal in Western culture of the
innocence of children—or at least some children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the time of Herod’s Judea, this was not true.
Children were not viewed as innocents, but as subordinates in a culture
dominated by Roman hierarchy. The life of a child was not valued, nor was that
life considered innocent. And, lets be honest. The children of Bethlehem were
the kids of peasants, the kids of nobodies, the kids of tax collectors (the
ancient equivalent of drug dealers perhaps), the kids of slaves, the kids of
thieves. Dangers to his throne, to his power. Thugs in the making. Who really
cared if they died? Who said they were innocent?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We live in a time, I think, where we only sympathize
with lives lost if we believe they were innocent. It is easy for us to
sympathize with the two police officers who were killed last week, to
sympathize with the tragic loss of life and loss to their children. But we
don’t have much sympathy for those we consider non-innocent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And the kids I work with on the streets of Aberdeen
are not innocent. That is, in the eyes of society—they steal and they fight and
they deal—all to survive, yes, but that means that they are not innocent. If
they end up spending more time in jail than out, or if they end up in the
hospital, or if they end up dead, no one really cares too much. We always find
a way to say that they deserved it. They were punks, or thugs, or undesirables
anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m gonna speak as the young person I am for a minute,
a young person who is white, and who didn’t have to steal to eat growing up,
who is the granddaughter of two police officers. I’m not sure my parent’s
generation understands just how scary and just how hard it is for young people,
and especially for those still in their teens. We, even those of us who had a
pretty good childhood and didn’t have to steal or run drugs, we wonder if we
have a future. We wonder if we’ll ever find a decent job. We wonder what kind
of world we are going to have to live in. And when we look around us at the
world we’ve inherited, it scares a whole lot of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This has been the year of young people starting to
speak and to voice their pain. This has been the year of record numbers of
young men and women fleeing across our southern borders as corrupt governments
and warlords take over parts of central America. This has been the year of
young black men and women taking to the streets, many of them junior high and
high school students, and saying #BlackLivesMatter. It has been a year, perhaps
more than any other in the U.S., when young men and women have cried out their
fears for the future. And their hope too, their hope and longing for a better
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This has also been a year, perhaps as every year is,
of dead kids in our streets. Or on our borders. In the last fifteen years, 6000
bodies have been found in the desert between Mexico and the U.S., and many of
them were children. And about 500 people a year die of police violence
according to incomplete statistics, and too many of them are black children and
teens. And then there are the names of the children and teens and young adults just
in the past few months: Mike Brown, Tamir Rice (only 12 years old), Akai
Gurley, Kajieme Powell, Keith Vidal, and we could go on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to say something. I don’t want to preach about
this. There is a part of me that just wants to forget all about this. But it’s
the cry of Rachel, weeping for her children, that drives me to say something. I
can’t forget the sobbing of Mike Brown’s mother when the announcement of no
indictment was read and she said; “They never cared. And they ain’t never gonna
care.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">See, our victims are not innocent. Mike Brown was
smoking weed and had mouthed off to an officer. Tamir Rice was a big kid and
was playing with a toy gun. We always find a way to say that they deserved it. They
were punks and thugs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">They were also teenagers. And children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here, in our majority white town, in our majority
white churches, we don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to talk about.
Especially not about race. But what about my Latino uncle who tells me that he
is harassed while brown all the time in LA? Or my cousin’s little boy who is
already learning what it means to be black in America? We need to listen to the
young voices all over this country who are saying the same thing. That racism
is real. That young black people are targets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We are uncomfortable talking about it. A friend and
fellow priest of mine in Seattle put up a banner on their church that said
“Black Lives Matter.” And on Christmas, it was torn down and vandalized. We are
uncomfortable and even hostile when talking about race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On this feast of Holy Innocents, on this day of
Children’s Mass, though, we as a country are going to have to start listening
to our young people. And the cries of their mothers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It can be scary to listen. It can be scary to see the
rage and the anger of young people who have nowhere to go and no better life
waiting for them. It can be scary to see the level of grief and brokenness.
Herod, in his fear, responded with violence, and we’ve seen that too as some of
our cities and towns look like military zones. But God, God listened. God
listened and I have to believe that God cried and raged too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I am
inviting us to listen, on this feast of Holy Innocents, on this day of the
Children’s Mass—to listen to Rachel weeping for her children. And to listen to
our young people. To listen to our kids. In Aberdeen. Did you know that the
largest demographic in Aberdeen are kids under the age of 25? And in Ferguson
and NYC. In Monte and Elma, and in San Antonio and Nogales. Lets remember the
angel’s call; “Do not be afraid,” and let us listen for the hope of a new and
different world. It was God who became a child who came to save us. Let us hear
God now in the voices of our children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-24037041519306075002014-11-23T20:22:00.000-08:002014-11-23T20:26:00.282-08:00Christ, the Derelict King<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christ the King Sunday<br />Text: Matthew 25:31-46</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you all know, I’m just getting started to get settled in
Westport. Its lovely—and my little place is close enough to the ocean that I
hear it all night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’ve started to meet and talk with people and get to know
people. It’s a lovely little community, isolated, small, a little discouraged
like the rest of the harbor. One of the things I am always listening for is how
people talk about other people. Of course, we have all heard the conversations
around immigration this week and the anger at “the illegals.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I’ve noticed
that Westport, like all of our towns, has a word for people who are poor or who
are experiencing homelessness. Derelicts. Now, of course, most people in
Westport are poor, just like at least 50% of the harbor is poor. But we always
reserve our words of derision for people who are more down and out than we are.
In Aberdeen, its “the takers.” In Monte and Elma, its “the undesirables.” In
Westport, it seems, its “the derelicts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I started thinking. The word derelict refers to
something abandoned—an abandoned home, an abandoned car, an abandoned ship. In
this case, perhaps it refers to abandoned people in abandoned places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes, on the harbor, like lots of other small towns, it
can feel like the world is passing us by. Abandoned in this global race for
money and power. Abandoned, after the world no longer needs our timber or our
fish or our labor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, on to the gospel text this morning. None of you are
probably surprised that our gospel text is one of my favorites. We use this
text a lot to talk about how we should care for people in need and do the work
of God in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But I think its more than that. It is Jesus saying—the poor,
the suffering, of the world? They are me. I am them. I take their side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It seems fitting to me that this is Christ the King Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christ, the Derelict King. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christ, the King of the Abandoned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The King of prisoners and derelicts, of sex workers and
illegals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not the king of empires, whether the empires of Rome or old
Europe, or even our own American empires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The King instead of the common people, of the poor. The King of
the hungry and sick. The Abandoned King of Abandoned People.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Matthew’s Jesus loves the language of apocalypse and of
judgment. And so the Jesus of Matthew today draws us a picture. This Abandoned
King, the ragged rabbi who calls himself a king, paints a picture of he himself
judging the nations. Just imagine for a moment—this ragged, wandering rabbi who
was born into a two bit town with a bad reputation, this preacher who will be
arrested in just a day or two and executed—he claims that he will judge the
nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And he doesn’t tell a story just of individual people who
will go to heaven or go to hell. We like to read it this way, but that is not
Jesus’ point. It’s the story of Jesus, the ragged rabbi, standing before all
the people, all the nations of the world and entering into judgment. Those who
have cared for their people, those who have healed the sick and fed and cared
for their people, those who have visited and freed their prisoners—they have
done it to Jesus himself. But those who have oppressed their people? Who have imprisoned
them, who have left them hungry and naked, who have left them to die? They,
they will be judged. God will not let them get away with harming others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have to say, I find this really good news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For me, anyway, this judgment is good news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is good news that the people who sleep under bridges and
along our rivers will be honored and protected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is good news that Christ the derelict king will take the
side of his people.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is good news that our tiny towns are not abandoned by God
and that God will judge those who have abandoned us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is good news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every day, I watch people struggle to survive. Struggle to
just stay alive in this county. And I watch people die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And people struggle for a reason. We struggle because this
town and these places are abandoned, with so few jobs left. We struggle because
health care is so very limited to more and more people. We struggle because land
and resources are all in very few hands. We struggle because housing is so poor
that people live without running water and electricity, in places overrun with
bugs and rodents, and the people who own those places do not improve them and
we do not hold them accountable. We struggle because those in power are ok with
the way things are. We die because—who cares
about derelicts and undesirables and takers and illegals anyway?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was Thomas Jefferson who said, in what is otherwise a very problematic quote; “I tremble for my nation
when I reflect that God is just and his justice will not keep forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, so, how does God do this? How does Jesus’ justice come?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Some explosion in the sky? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A bolt of lightning?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don't think so. I think it happens through us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Through those who refuse to forget. Who refuse to give up.
When we sit down at table together. When you bring us meals. When we demand to
be noticed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you been noticed the story coming out of Fort
Lauderdale these past few weeks? In Fort Lauderdale, FL it is illegal to feed
people on the street. This old guy has gone to jail twice because he refuses to
stop. I joked with our team the other day—would they be willing to go to jail?
Yesterday, one man called me and said; “I want to you know, I’d be willing to
go to jail.” That is how judgment comes. Churches across the country are
starting to open their doors and offer sanctuary to immigrant families and
individuals in danger of deportation. That is how judgment comes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When the “takers” take back their power and demand life and
dignity. When we begin to hold our leaders accountable for the common good.
When we refuse to allow our neighbors to be hungry or live in poverty. That is
how judgment comes. Not vengeance—but justice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The men and women of the harbor—they are Jesus’ people. They
are Jesus, living among us, here and now. Christ the Derelict King fights for
his Derelict people, here and now. Through us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so we are not abandoned after all. God is with us,
working through us. Together, we demand judgment and justice. And when we do,
the voice of that ragged rabbi rings down to us from 2000 years; “When I was
hungry, you gave me something to eat, when I was naked you clothed me, when I
was sick you visited me, when I was in prison you came to me, when I was a
stranger, you welcomed me. You are doing this for me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-50110436584319341762014-11-16T19:51:00.001-08:002014-11-16T19:51:56.445-08:00I Arose, A Mother in Israel
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Sermon: Pentecost 23<br />Text: Judges 4-5</o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you ever feel too
small or too powerless to change your circumstances? Do you ever feel like you
can’t do what you know you are called to do? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That is pretty much the situation of the people of Israel in
our first reading. We only get part of the story in our reading. This is an
ancient story, long before the time of Israel’s kings. The people of Israel in
this story are peasants—small farmers and Bedouins, or shepherds. The story is
focused on northern Israel, the area that will later be known as Galilee in the
time of Jesus. And at this point they are under the rule of King Jabin of
Hazor, a powerful Canaanite city state in the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And they are pretty sure that absolutely nothing is going to
be able to change their situation. That they are far too powerless to change
anything, much less go against the powerful king of Hazor, who is oppressing
them and robbing them. Even their military leader, Barak, is sure that there is
nothing they can do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And along comes Deborah. Deborah is the only female judge in Judges and the only female military commander recorded in the Hebrew Bible. She is a prophet
and she is also a local judge in what appears to be most of northern Israel.
She would have heard all of the complaints and disputes of the tribes and would
have made decisions for the northern Israelite tribes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And she is the hero of the story—she and another woman
mentioned later in the text, called Jael. These two women are convinced that
enough is enough. That God will protect their people as they reclaim their
freedom and their liberty. They will not listen to those that insist that they
are weak and powerless. Instead, they inspire a whole people to reclaim their liberty
and to stand up against King Jabin.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a pretty amazing story. Deborah rides into battle with
her people and they defeat the Canaanite king and reclaim their own land. And
Jael defeats and kills the Canaanite commander. It’s a little like reading one
of those grand old hero stories. Its like an old western with two female leads.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the next chapter, the people of Israel sing a victory
song to Deborah and Jael. Some scholars think that the song is actually one of
the oldest written pieces of literature in the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honestly, I’ve always loved the story of Deborah. I love her
strength and her courage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The people sing…. “The peasantry prospered in Israel,
because you arose, Deborah, arose a mother in Israel” “Most blessed of women be
Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, of tent dwelling women most blessed.” The
people are saved by two women-- an upstart judge and a Bedouin shepherd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the reasons I’ve loved the story of Deborah and Jael
is because this story played an important role in my life. I grew up in a
Christian tradition that excluded women from leadership in the church. Being a
woman and a leader in the church just wasn’t an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, for years and years, I had this call eating away at me.
This nagging sense that I was missing what I was called to do in my life. A
fire burning in my bones, as Jeremiah says. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it was stories like the story of Deborah that made me
think. Made we wonder if God really could call a person like me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember, so, so clearly, visiting my sister on a military
base in England. While I was there, I took a pilgrimage through northern
England, riding the train, walking, and asking, begging God to show me a way
forward. I ended up in Ely, a tiny town with a giant cathedral. As I walked on
a path that had been walked by thousands of pilgrims for hundreds of years, I
came upon the story of the cathedral. A young woman had founded it back in 670,
a woman who had fled an abusive marriage and decided that God was calling her
to start a mission station in Ely. And there I was, almost 1400 years later,
feeling the same call. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This sense that I wasn’t going to be able to get away from
what God was calling me to do kept growing on me. That I was not powerless.
That I was indeed called to ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a long journey, but I came home and, about six months
later, started the discernment process in the Episcopal Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was at our diocesan convention last week and was able to
share a little about my ministry. And, as I was sitting in a room full of
representatives from all of the Episcopal churches in Western WA, I thought
about all of the places that have affirmed and supported me on this path. Like
you all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the people who reminded me that I was not powerless. All
of the people that reminded me that God could call someone like me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that has become a cornerstone of my own ministry. To
remind us all that we are not powerless. That God calls each of us. That no
matter how powerless we feel, no matter what the world around us thinks of us,
we are beloved, we are powerful, we can have hope and a future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Aberdeen, we too often feel powerless. Problems are too
big. We’re just a small town shafted by a rotten economy. We are powerless to
address our housing crisis. Powerless to rebuild our economy. Powerless to stand
up and say enough is enough. Powerless to speak up when people are getting
hurt. Powerless to demand the common good and better life for everyone, not
just town beautification. Powerless to demand anything anymore. We are tired.
We are weary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In ourselves or maybe even in our parish, we too often feel
powerless. Like our gifts don’t matter. Those of us who have been knocked
around by life, or maybe have experienced abuse, we can feel pretty powerless.
Or maybe we’ve just been told too many times that we are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I want to call this for what it is. I want to use a
non-churchy word. Bullshit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The God who came to us in a tiny two bit town with a bad
reputation—that God cares about us, here and now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No matter what you have seen in life, you are valuable and loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No matter how insignificant you feel, in our tiredness and
in our weariness, we are powerful because we are in the hands of a powerful
God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s really why I love Deborah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She refuses to believe that the odds are against them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She refuses to give up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She refuses—even when the military leader of the tribes,
even when Barak doesn’t think it is possible—she refuses to believe that her
people should just give in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She refuses to let her people give up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She refuses to let them believe they are powerless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, my brothers and sisters, you are loved. You are
powerful. Your gifts matter. Your talents matter. Your dreams matter. Every one
of us. You are called to simply believe that you are in the hands of a powerful
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are called to simply believe that we, in our longing for
goodness and beauty and peace and hope, we—every single one of us— are powerful
in the hands of a powerful God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-66340137754284889472014-10-27T10:56:00.000-07:002014-12-15T09:54:19.183-08:00Reading the Magnificat in Aberdeen <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtQZ9g8WhcVGQeG_QBeGmm07V5yD8b-oD1PVM5QD-tAcXDPzvvlvHRuRg6bsGemxkl59CpAv4tnkcx1XEiOU4fOu_BLsc7g8lPfe2utQidcaT61TCKyYnYBoCrcK1ipEeT1xvWZO5KwM/s1600/guadalupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtQZ9g8WhcVGQeG_QBeGmm07V5yD8b-oD1PVM5QD-tAcXDPzvvlvHRuRg6bsGemxkl59CpAv4tnkcx1XEiOU4fOu_BLsc7g8lPfe2utQidcaT61TCKyYnYBoCrcK1ipEeT1xvWZO5KwM/s1600/guadalupe.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I asked our Bible study group if it was ok if I blogged some
of our discussion and they were enthusiastic about sharing our conversations. “We
want people to know what we are doing!” So, for those of you who want to know
what one of our Bible studies look like, this is last Sunday:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every Sunday, we meet for Bible study. There are usually
10-12 of us, people from many different backgrounds and experiences, most of us
poor, some of us homeless. We always begin with sharing who we are and lighting
candles around the table with our prayers for hope and healing and peace. We
read our text and the table is open for discussion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Until Advent, we are reading various texts in the Bible that
address poverty and discussing what these texts mean for us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yesterday, we read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55, commonly
called the Magnificat in liturgical churches. We ask two questions in our Bible
studies. The first is simple: What strikes you in this passage? What jumps out
at you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mary must have really had a hard time. As an
unwed mother, she would have been frowned on. But look at her—she is praising
God! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mary is from Nazareth, a little town in Galilee.
And people said of Nazareth—“Can any good come from Nazareth?” It was a town
with a bad rap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God chose Mary because she was humble and
because she was poor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->These promises are for all generations and for
all peoples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->All of these promises haven’t happened yet—the powerful
are still on their thrones and the poor are still poor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After we read the text for a second time, we ask a second
question: What does this passage mean for us, here and now, in Aberdeen in
2014?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God brings the rich down to earth—God rejects
arrogance. God wants us to be humble. We talked about how its so easy to be arrogant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sometimes rich people think they have special
blessing and we are taught that God blesses people with wealth. If that is
true, then poor people have done something wrong and are being punished. But,
in this passage, God cares about the poor and blesses the poor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God loves everyone. But God has special care for
people who are poor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Some of us shared our experiences of poverty.
Poor people realize that their riches are in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Its hard to get through the eye of a needle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In this town, the poor are of no importance. It
seems like city leaders don’t care about us. That we are just a nuisance in the
way of redevelopment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I pointed out that most people in Aberdeen are
actually poor. More and more, people are becoming poor, all over the country.
We talked about how this is a growing reality for all of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If these promises are for all people, how can we
address the things that divide us, that divide Spanish and English speakers in
this community, for example? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Its still hard for single mothers in our
community. But, in this text, God chooses a single mom to bring Jesus in the
world. God doesn’t judge like we judge. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We talked about the story of Our Lady of
Guadalupe. We talked about female images of God in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We closed our time together with Eucharist, naming our hope of living in a world where the poor were valued and no longer exploited, where all were fed and none went hungry. </span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-14017824747299490752014-10-26T23:13:00.002-07:002014-10-26T23:13:38.363-07:00Sermon: "See How They Love Each Other!"
Texts: Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">People often ask me, when I tell them about my work, about
my ministry—“Aren’t you afraid?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I always have the same answer—“No, I am not afraid. I
feel tremendously privileged to get to know the brave men and women who are
struggling to survive here in the county. I’m honored to know the people I call
friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And every word of that is true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the truth is, I am also afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every day, I am afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that the three little babies who came to the
church door the other day with their parents—I am afraid that they do not have
a safe place to stay tonight or enough to eat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that the old man who looks like my grandpa and
who is sleeping out in the cold—that he will not get the care he deserves and
that he will die alone—and no one should die alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that the young woman who is carrying a child—that,
as hard as she is trying to do the right thing, that she will not be able to
find a stable, safe place to raise her baby, a place that even has running
water and electricity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that the talented kids I meet—the artists and
the musicians and the writers—that they won’t be able to grace this community
with their talents because they are struggling too hard to survive or they end
up spending too much of their time in jail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that the kid who is hanging on by a thread to
hope—that he will give up and overdose just to escape the pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that people living in the apartments buildings
of downtown Aberdeen will go without heat this winter as they pay most of their
paycheck toward rent for buildings that are never maintained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid that the gal with chronic health issues will die
before she gets the help she needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The worst thing in the world is to watch those you love die.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid, my brothers and sisters, I am afraid. Every
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m afraid that this violence of poverty, this violence of
houselessness, this violence of want—will continue. I’m afraid of the realities
that divide us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Those of us with homes and those of us without homes—those of
us who have jobs and those of us who can’t find work—those of us who are
English speakers and those of us who are Spanish speakers—those of us from “good”
families and those of us from “bad” families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid most of all that we won’t learn how to love each
other in time. That we won’t remember Jesus’s commandments—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Love God with all your heart, mind and soul. And love your
neighbor as yourself”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am afraid, my brothers and sisters, I am afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our second reading, Paul is also afraid. Paul is known to
us as perhaps the founder of Christianity. The man who traveled throughout what
is now Turkey and Italy, building the Jesus Movement. He’s a complicated guy,
Paul is, but he also a person of great passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The letter we read this morning was one of the first letters
he wrote, to the community of Thessalonica, a Greek trade city. Paul had spent
time in the city, building a congregation of people there. He had come to
Thessalonica from Philippi, where he’d been beat up pretty bad and spent time
in jail. In Thessalonica, he didn’t fare too much better and eventually was run
out of town by the city council and some of his followers there were beat up by
a mob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, now Paul is worried. He is afraid for the community he
had grown to love in Thessalonica, so he writes to them, pouring out his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He writes that he didn’t only want to share the gospel with
them—the good news that God is with us in Jesus—but he says he wanted to share
his very self. He was willing to suffer—to get beat up—eventually even to die
as he does years later—for those he loved, for the people he loved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He knows that the Thessalonian community is facing great
struggle. Living under the Roman empire, facing opposition from the religious
leaders, and from the city council, he know they were a suffering community.
They were grieving people who had died, they were struggling to survive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so Paul writes them out of his fear for them, out of his
love for them. He writes to tell them of his love. And he writes to encourage
them. He tells them in the rest of the letter—the only way you are going to get
through this, the only way you are going to win in the end—is to love each
other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To take care of each other. The only way to live and survive
under empire was to love each other. This was Jesus’ message—this was Paul’s
message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the Thessalonian community did suffer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And they learned to love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They become one of the significant communities following
Jesus in that first century. They became known for their love. Love in the face
of violence. Love in the face of suffering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You want to know my dream for this community, my dream for
the harbor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its that we will become known for our love. That we will
follow Jesus so faithfully in this town, that we will hear the words of Jesus
so closely in this town—that we will learn to love each other. That we will be
known for our love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love in the face of suffering, of violence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And lets be clear. Love is not some warm, mushy feeling.
Love is one of the most courageous things we do. It means that we put our lives
on the line for each other. That we look after our children and our young
people. That we treat each other as full human beings, with respect, knowing
that-in every person is the image of God, no matter who they are or where they
came from or what they are dealing with. It means that people get the support
they need to become the full children of God that they are. It means that no
one goes hungry and no one shivers in unheated apartments. It means we make the
commitment to each other and our communities that, to the best of our ability,
no one dies alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">More than anything, my brothers and sisters, it means
sharing in joy! Sharing in life together. With love, with true love in action,
comes joy. No one in this town is a problem to be fixed. No one in this town is
anyone less than a child of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When we live like this is true, we find joy, we find
prosperity, we find hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is it possible that Aberdeen, WA, that the harbor could be
that place? That the world could look at us in these changing and difficult
times and say—see how they love each other! Like the ancient Jesus Movement of
Paul? Like the Thessalonians? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I see a lot of love in this town, my brothers and sisters. I
see it when Mary V talks to high schoolers about their dreams. Or when someone
gives their last dollar or turns the other cheek, which is awfully hard to do.
I see people encourage each other and love each other every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But I see the violence of poverty, the violence of need, the
violence of abandonment every day too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I dream, my brothers and sisters, I dream. I dream that
we can live out our faith in love and joy in this town, this harbor I love so
much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have to tell you something. Paul talks about his deep love
for the community of Thessalonica. As I have continued work here on the harbor,
the place I grew up, I have grown to love this place. So. Much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is because I love this place I am afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And it is because I love this place that I dream. Let us so
transform this town, this harbor—so that all the world might see and might say—“See
how they love each other!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-12004068389961027222014-10-20T23:55:00.003-07:002014-10-20T23:56:39.080-07:00A Confession<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been said that confession is good for the soul. And, as a
pastor in community, I find that I sometimes need to make a public confession.
Its not to beat myself up. Or the wallow in some kind of self-pity or guilt.
Just a simple statement of fact, an admission of failure, and a resolve to turn
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been deeply moved by the events that have unfolded in
Ferguson, MO over the past few months. I am particularly moved by the voices of
young black men and women, voicing their despair, their experiences of violence
and fear, their wild hope for a better future. Some of their experiences of
poverty and violence are similar to the experiences of young women and men all
over this country, across racial difference. And, yet, we do not talk to each
other. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a white gal in a majority white town, I can choose to
ignore the racial divides among us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A wake up call for me was a conversation I recently had with a young Latina woman in this community. As I struggled and fumbled with my very rusty Spanish, she told me
about her experiences of racism. And she challenged me: she asked me if my work
was just for whites or if it was for Latinos too. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I haven’t been able to get that conversation out of my head.
I haven’t been able to get away from the realization that it is so easy for me
to ignore the experiences of my Latino and Native and Black brothers and sisters
in this community. To come up with excuses about how busy I am or how bad my
Spanish sounds or how divisive these things are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The young woman I spoke with was a prophet in this
community. She was challenging power and challenging the systems of racism in
our society. And I needed to hear her words. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, this is my confession. And my commitment. To listen. To
continue to build relationships with the Native peoples of this community. To
intentionally talk about racism in our community and to intentionally listen to
my black and Latino brothers and sisters. To prioritize this work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because confession is all about repentance, is it not?</span> <o:p></o:p></span>Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-38519600944585178902014-09-21T19:59:00.001-07:002014-09-21T19:59:16.041-07:00Grace in Real Life
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Texts: Exodus 16:2-15; Matthew 20:1-16</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I was reading through our passages this morning, one
word kept coming to me. Over and over. The word Grace. Grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Imagine this. Your whole life has been spent in slavery to
the Egyptian Pharaoh, building his great cities, the land on which you live
taken from you, your children taken and killed. Now, you have been freed by the
God of Israel and you flee to the desert. You are a group of people without
resources and without friends. You have run out of food, out of water—you are
desperate. And you are angry too—how are we going to eat, God? How are we going
to make it?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And what does God say? Does God say; “Well, you need to earn your bread.”
“You silly people, why didn’t you go a different way—the southern desert,
really?” “You are living the consequences of your choices.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nope. God just sends food. Lots of food. God sends quail. And
bread falls from heaven to feed your children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grace.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Imagine again. In Jesus’ story, in our gospel reading, you
are standing at the corner of the marketplace, that streetcorner where workers
gather, hoping to get picked up by someone who needs a job done. You all know
where that street corner is, right? You don’t have a steady job, you are
squatting in a house near the village with your family. And you are waiting all
day—hoping, hoping to get something so you can go home with food for your kids
tonight. You are probably are not the strongest of the bunch—you are not as
young as you used to be and your health is not what it used to be. Wages are
not good anyway—a denarius was the average daily wage for a soldier or a worker
and it put you right at subsistence level—just enough to feed a family for a
day. As the day goes on, you know you won’t make enough even for that today. So
you wait and you wait and you get picked up, finally, toward the end of the
day, by the guy who owns the huge vineyard and needs his grapes picked. You
figure—hey, an hour or two of work is better than nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And what does Jesus say about this guy? That he is lazy and
should go find a better job? “Why didn’t you try harder to get picked up
earlier?” “Something is better than nothing?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nope. The landlord in Jesus’ story shows a tiny bit of
mercy. He pays you for a whole day’s work, even though you’ve only worked a few
hours. Your fellow workers are a little tiffed, and you can’t really blame
them, but you, you get to feed your family tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And that word comes to mind again: grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its interesting, isn’t it? Sometimes we think of the Bible
as a book about heaven, about spiritual things. About our souls. Sometimes
grace is explained as some kind of forgiveness of personal sin
so we can get to heaven.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But think again about our stories. Our two stories. They are
about real life. About bodies. About hunger. About survival. About feeding your
family. About trying to find work. About worrying about money. The Bible, and
Jesus, is obsessed with talking about real things. Real life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so grace too is about real life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We sometimes say grace is getting what you don’t deserve. What you haven’t
earned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Actually, grace never asks what you deserve. What you’ve
earned. If you are good enough. If you are deserving enough. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grace simply gives. Grace is God’s belief that, simply
because you are created in God’s image, simply because you are human, you
deserve love, and care, and life, and joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That simply because we live, because God loves us, because
we are created in God’s image—we deserve to live a full and abundant life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simply because God loved them, the children of Israel
deserved abundant food.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simply because the worker standing on that corner
desperately trying to get work, simply because he was a child of God, he
deserved to go home with enough money to feed his family.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That, my brothers and sisters, is grace too. Grace in real
life. Grace in the here and now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We live in a world where everything we need to live has
strings attached, right? Food, clothing, shelter—we live a world that asks
questions like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you deserve it?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you worked hard enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Are you really, I mean really, a good enough person?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever asked yourself that? Have you ever had this
strange feeling that you don’t deserve to be happy or to have enough? Have you
ever felt not good enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is how the world around us teaches us to think. Its how
the Egyptians thought—the Pharaoh didn’t believe his slaves deserved good
lives, deserved to have their children safe, deserved to be free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many landowners in Jesus’ time didn’t believe that the
people of Galilee deserved enough to eat or deserved their own land or deserved
to live as well as they did.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They were just slaves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They were just expendable workers. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then God comes in. With grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grace that always took the side of the people that society
said did not deserve it. Grace that saved escaped slaves from hunger and grace
that fed a temp worker’s children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grace given freely and without strings attached. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I want you to
listen very, very carefully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you feel like you don’t deserve goodness in your life. If
you can’t find a job in this job forsaken place, if you are struggling to pay
the bills, if you can’t make a living wage, if you are lonely and alone, if you
are told or believe you are unworthy—grace is for you. God is for you. Can I
get an Amen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does grace look like for this parish, for Aberdeen in
2014? Where do you see grace? Where do you long to see grace? Where do you long
for grace in your own life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have to share something with you, brothers and sisters. As
I do outreach, as I walk the streets of Aberdeen, there is an awful lot of
suffering in this town. I want you to know, people are literally dying out
there, all the time. Living in shacks, camping out, people are struggling to
just survive, longing simply for a place to belong. Every day. Its enough to
break one’s heart—to walk through this town. It sometimes is enough to rip my
heart out. We need grace in this town. Grace in real life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After this service, some of you will join me with others of
our brothers and sisters here in Aberdeen for Bible study. We will light
candles and pray together for our struggling town. We will talk about what
Jesus’ life has to do with us, here, today. And then we will share a meal together—we
will cook together, we will talk together as neighbors. When I witness this,
when I witness how the community feeds each other, how the community prays
together, I catch a glimpse of grace. Real bodies. Real food. We talk about
struggle and hopelessness here in Aberdeen a lot, right? Well, Sunday
afternoons, I do catch a glimpse of hope and of grace. We catch a vision of
what a world might look like where all were fed, where all were honored, where
grace is a way of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Where do you see grace, my brothers and sisters? Where do
you see grace in real life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let us pray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-38440745369867233572014-08-31T21:18:00.000-07:002014-09-01T18:18:44.573-07:00"I Have Heard My People's Cry"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Texts: Exodus 3:1-15, Matthew 16:21-28</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I had lunch with the Aberdeen police chief this past week,
along with Pastor Marc from next door. On my way there, Pastor Marc joked; “I
hope they don’t arrest you!” They didn’t, of course. Actually, we had a really
good conversation about poverty in Aberdeen. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But Marc’s comment reminded me that, sometimes, it can be
dangerous to follow Jesus. Now, I have no particular intention of being arrested and I
doubt the Aberdeen police department has any intention of arresting me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, these past few weeks, others have been in harm’s way. An African American
Baptist pastor, who I knew of when I was in Boston, Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, has
been in harm’s way this past month. I was particularly drawn to his story
because he also grew up in a rural area and also ended up in Boston. He spent
his teen years in St Louis County and this past month, he decided, like me, to
go home. He went home, of course, at the worst possible time—since we all have
seen the news in Ferguson. The place Michael Brown was shot by police. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He’s been posting on facebook regularly, as he has stood
with the young black men and women of Ferguson and listened to them, listened to their
pain, listened to the pain of a community. Now I know that Ferguson seems very
far away from us. A whole world and a whole culture away. We see little news
snippets here and there, but it still seems pretty far away. I was struck as Rev
Sekou talked about the situation in Ferguson, particularly because the economic
situation in Ferguson is almost exactly the same as it is here on the harbor,
in Aberdeen. Both towns have the same poverty rate—25%. Both have similar rates
of unemployment, the same median income (36,000), and the same atmosphere of
hopelessness and violence, especially for young people. We might have more in common than we think with our brothers and sisters in Ferguson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’ve been struck especially because Rev. Sekou has put
himself in a lot of danger; he talks about facing violence and the fear of
having guns pointed at him and his community. He had a radio conversation this past week where he
said; “We want to celebrate these young people who will not bow down. I and the
clergy here will defend them, even with our lives.” In other words, Rev. Sekou
loves his people, loves his town enough to risk his life on the streets to stand
with and work for the healing of his people.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That is the message Jesus confronts his disciples with in
our text this morning. It comes at a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. He has
ministered in Galilee—the place he grew up—the home of his people. He has
preached good news to the poor and he has healed the sick and he has proclaimed
the coming kingdom of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, he makes
the decision to go up to Jerusalem, along with his Galilean followers for
Passover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He knows what that means. He knows what he is up against.
And he begins gently preparing his disciples for it. Peter is clearly terrified.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jesus knows that, when he enters Jerusalem, the center of
power, the center of Roman authority in the region, he will be arrested. And
everyone knows what happens next to revolutionary Galileans. As Jesus
contemplates Jerusalem, he sees in his mind’s eye what every single Galilean
would have known at that time. There were times when the roads leading from
Galilee to Jerusalem were lined with crosses. Jesus knows he is going to die. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Peter begs him to reconsider, begs him to be safe, begs
him to take care for his own life—Jesus turns to him and tells him; “Actually,
if you are going to follow me, if you want to see this all the way to the end, you’re
going to have to be ready to “take up your cross” too.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, when you hear “take up your cross”, what do you think?
It has become popular in Christian circles to say “take up your cross” and bear
your suffering. That to take up your cross is to be patient and deal with hard
stuff in life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That is not what Jesus is saying at all. Every single person
who heard him would have immediately thought—darn, Jesus is asking us to be
ready to die. Jesus is saying—be ready to die. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We live in a world, Jesus says, where people who are
powerless are dying all the time. Rome kills our people, my people all the
time. If I am going to join them, if I am going to stand on their side, I will
have to be willing to die as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We live in a world where kids like Michael Brown die all the
time on the streets of our towns and cities. On the streets of Grays Harbor, I
listen to stories of death all the time—high suicide rates, people dying far
too young because they don’t have access to medical care, so much death. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why is Jesus willing to die? Jesus is willing to die because
Jesus loves his people. Loves us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Were you listening to our first reading? Moses is visited by
God who tells him; “I have heard my people’s cry.” I have seen their suffering.
I have seen their slavery. I have heard their cry. And I am sending you to risk
your life, to set my people free. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jesus, God in human flesh, God with us, comes to us and he
hears our cry. Jesus is God’s response to the cry of God’s people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He hears the cry of the Galileans who suffer under Rome. He
hears the cry of desperate and heartbroken people in Ferguson. He hears the cry
of a world suffering so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I want to tell you a little about the cries that I hear on
the streets of Aberdeen and the harbor, in my ministry. I sat down with a group
of folks, telling them that I was meeting with the police chief and was there
something they wanted me to say. To a person, they said; “We just want a home.
Where are we supposed to go?” I spoke to a young man who spoke of his longing
for a job so that he could keep his housing and build a stable life. I spoke to
an elderly man who cried over all of the people in his family who have died
young—of desperation or despair or untreated health issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Over and over, people say; “We once helped build this
community; we once had jobs here. But now all of these buildings and homes
stand empty and we camp along the river.” Over and over, people say; “How can I
help? How can I find work so that I can pay for electricity and running water
in my apartment?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And God has heard their cry. Because I believe the gospel,
because I believe in the God of liberation and freedom, I believe that God has
heard their cry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so our calling is to stand with them. To stand together
as a community. To listen to each other’s cries. Our cries for healing and for
belonging and for love. Our cries for community and homes and stability. Our
cries for hope and for a future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We all cry to God at one point or another. As we face health
problems or the loss of those we love. As we face job loss or can’t find a job.
As we face all of the things that this world throws at us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And God hears our cries, my brothers and sisters. And Jesus
loves us. Loves us enough to die for us. Loves us enough to put his body, his
life on the line for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And this is how we show love for one another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because, when we come together, when we stand together, when
we cry out together—liberation is a coming, my brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When we cry out together, God hears, and we find hope and a future.
Hope for our lives, hope for our kids and grandkids, hope for our land, hope
for our towns, hope for the harbor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jesus—willing to die on behalf of his people—calling us to
be willing to die for each other, this is how freedom comes. And we dream, my
brothers and sisters, we dream—of people having enough to eat, of streams in
the desert and our land coming alive again—we dream of beautiful homes and
enough work, we dream of healed people. We dream because Jesus says that, if we
are willing to lose our lives for the ones we love, we will truly find LIFE
together. We will LIVE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-36096361625070484822014-08-21T18:21:00.000-07:002014-08-23T15:17:29.030-07:00What Does the Cross Say to Law Enforcement?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb4xC3U7U_hYZBBaptfFwLfwejkMZ8NDp7iGUUACfM78WUDAwWteyRIRoXPi2hqXPd6DkZNQNYp08k9YcfixG6HwAJ97d274Ln_91bOmZQPLN-jFZuEIC48p3-N4_p8ZoGyOgXwF8hJY/s1600/tissot-confession-of-the-centurion-714x423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb4xC3U7U_hYZBBaptfFwLfwejkMZ8NDp7iGUUACfM78WUDAwWteyRIRoXPi2hqXPd6DkZNQNYp08k9YcfixG6HwAJ97d274Ln_91bOmZQPLN-jFZuEIC48p3-N4_p8ZoGyOgXwF8hJY/s1600/tissot-confession-of-the-centurion-714x423.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I grew up warily respecting cops in a family that respected
and feared the police. I was a white kid in a mostly white, working class
suburb before I was a white kid in a white rural town. Both my grandfathers
were police officers and I remember the occasional story, though neither of
them glorified their jobs any more than they did their military experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sister’s now in law enforcement too. And I hate that she
is ever in danger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then there is Ferguson. And the stories of black kids
and teens and adults all over the country telling the same story: black kids
are dying in our streets and many of them are dying at the hands of cops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then there are the stories I hear all the time on the
streets of almost every city I have been in—being roughed up by the police,
targeted by the police, for being homeless, for being poor, for looking the
wrong way or living on the wrong side of town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we talked about Ferguson in Aberdeen, people told their
own stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Ferguson happens, we want to frame it into a manageable
narrative. We want to make it about a black teen and his good or bad character
and a white cop and his good or bad decisions. Two people. Let’s wait and see
what the “real story” is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that is not what this is about. Not really. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Its about a system where poor people, and especially poor
people of color, are not considered human beings. Not given respect or dignity.
Where they are roughed up and beat up and arrested and caged and, yes, killed
by people trained to believe that they “serve and protect.” All the time. Whether
they have guns or knives or not, whether they are polite or rude, whether they
have stolen a candy bar or sat in the wrong place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a priest, my mind runs immediately to
the gospels, set in a time when Rome oppressed Galilee and Palestine, in a time
when John the Baptist and Jesus and their people were robbed, oppressed, and
murdered by those who served and protected the empire. And I think particularly
of a group of soldiers, the Roman equivalent of a domestic military force, who
came to John in Luke 3, asking what they should do. And John tells them to stop
extorting people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">John gets that they are trying to make a living. John gets
that they are human beings. John gets that they are scared in their line of
work. But he gives them a choice. If you want to be part of the kingdom of God,
then you cannot join in the oppression of the community. You cannot rob people
of dignity and life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s simple, really. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the same message Oscar Romero preached to the members
of the Salvadoran police and military:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I would like to make
a special appeal to the men of the army, and specifically to the ranks of the
National Guard, the police and the military. Brothers, you come from our own
people. You are killing your own brother peasants when any human order to kill
must be subordinate to the law of God which says, “Thou shalt not kill.” No
soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the law of God... It is high
time you recovered your consciences and obeyed your consciences rather than a
sinful order… In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose
cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order
you in the name of God: stop the repression.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, as well, the members of our police and law
enforcement have the same choice. To choose between the people of this nation or
upholding a status quo that systematically and deliberately controls and
persecutes an increasing number of struggling people. To serve and join with
the people of this country, black and brown and white, but especially black and
brown because these communities were never meant to be protected by our
law enforcement, or to serve and protect our systems of power and control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is that poignant final scene at the site of the
crucifixion. As Jesus lets out his final, dying scream, a man cries out; “Truly,
this man was the son of God.” The man who said those words was the man who put
Jesus there, who drove nails into his flesh, who killed him, who was just doing
his job, who was just following protocol, who was just following orders. A man
who, in the eyes of the law, did nothing wrong and everything right. And, in a
blinding flash, he recognizes the enormity of what he has done and falls at the
feet of the dead man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will the police of Ferguson fall at the feet of the dead
man, of Michael Brown, the kid left dead in the street for hours, and say; “Truly,
this man was a child of God”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will the officers of Aberdeen or of Seattle or of the myriad
of other cities who are charged with enforcing anti-vagrancy laws and
criminalizing homelessness—will they fall at the feet of their brothers and
sisters and say; “Truly, they are children of God”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That is the call of the gospel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><em>In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression.</em></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551165235308598176.post-33481189768006563252014-08-14T07:28:00.000-07:002014-08-14T07:28:07.781-07:00What does Gaza City and Fergeson Have to Do with Aberdeen?<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgbrfp11jJAmfRET9U_6icdpS-snn8DEKizM8grTHR_JXU2Iude-W_TaSfzl3LAj71IsROikxYYNfOOPgqNyJgQiWmAJGA3LnLokQnK-xuTSX7zeJnahB-nDn4nbhzK5h935RaUniXYY/s400/MO+FERGUSON+Lesley+McSpadden,+L,+cmfrtd+by+hsbnd,+Louis+Head+2014+8-10.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the face of so much bad news, I have struggled to say
what is on my heart. Struggled to form words around horrific acts of violence
and war. Two events, particularly, have captured my attention in the past few
weeks. A whole people utterly cut off from economic possibility and bombed, as
the world watched nearly 2,000 people die in Gaza, watched children bury
children. And a young black man shot by police, triggering night after night of
protest in the American town of Fergeson. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Something caught my attention last night. People in Palestine
were sending tweets to protesters in Fergeson, MO advising them how to deal
with tear gas. Two peoples, for a moment in cyberspace, united in a struggle
for life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Everywhere, all over the world, poor and oppressed and angry
people are demanding life. They are refusing to lay down and die. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, yet, I struggle for words.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I struggle because I grew up white and working class and
what that means is that my people, so often, have believed so many lies. I grew
up taught that black communities were violent and I grew up with racist slurs
and deep prejudice. I grew up with Christian Zionism, a distorted belief that
both unconditionally supported Israel and still believed Jews were going to
hell, a macabre anti-Semitism married to political support for the state they
believed would bring in Armageddon. I grew up, especially post 9-11, taught
that Muslims and “Arabs” (because, all people in the Middle East were Arab)
were dangerous terrorists who deserved bombing and death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And there is nothing unique in that. Lots of white, rural,
working class people have been taught the same. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I struggle because this breaks my heart. It breaks my heart
that my people—that rural white people don’t realize that they have so very
much in common with the protestors in Fergeson and the people of Gaza. More and
more, the communities I come from are struggling to survive—struggling for life—struggling
because they can’t get jobs or health care or decent housing, struggling
because they too fill our jails and prisons, they too are at the end of their
rope. They are not bombed, but the conditions of life are not so very
different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yet, as always, we are isolated in our struggle, isolated
because we believe what we have been told. About Gaza. About black people.
About immigrants. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And about us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are told that our poverty is a result of our lack of
initiative and hard work, our lack of good planning and good choices. We
believe our poverty is our fault. And that belief holds us captive. The best
way to enslave people is to convince them they deserve it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At least in Gaza, at least in Fergeson, people know what
they are up against. At least they know their suffering is not their fault. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I dream of a day when towns like Aberdeen recognize common
cause with struggling people all over the world—when Aberdeen joins Fergeson
and joins Gaza City and joins the millions of people around the world struggling
for life. When people in Aberdeen tweet people in Fergeson and Gaza City,
demanding freedom and life and peace and wholeness together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sarah Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894955355022865282noreply@blogger.com0