There’s something about the way we look at people and categorize them into groups. Positing any person or group as worthy of extinction is but one result of hate. If you think hate is too strong a word, the way we distance certain people from ourselves says something about us as well as the person looked upon with disdain.
Most of us would not use the word hate but the disdain we have towards certain people or groups of people can and do lead to hateful actions, although we would probably not use that word to describe what we do. For example, consider how we look at homeless persons, especially the unkempt asking for a quarter or dollar in a cup.
Or, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision enabling towns to clear encampments, what is it we are to do – as Christians? Don’t you think many local governing officials now clearing those areas probably call themselves Christians? The cry of “We can’t afford this [creating affordable housing]” belies the claim of who we say we are. The cost, when put in a lump sum seems astronomical, but divide it by the 350 million here in America, it’s not so much, especially if the super-rich pay their fair share in taxes.
Prayer for the Day
In spite of how we think we should act, we fail miserably,
Seeking satisfaction in symbolic acts to assuage our consciences;
We see violence and buy security systems for our homes
Rather than challenging the myths we have created.
Transform us so we move beyond our imagined fears,
Opening us up to sharing the promise of life with all.
In the name of him who shared your grace with all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
You can spend money on new housing for poor people and the homeless, or you can spend it on a football stadium or a golf course.
Jello Biafra, American singer, spoken word artist, political activist
Seven out of ten Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless.
Pras Michel, member of the Fugees, a Haitian-American music group
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
Epistle of James 2: 14-17