I had an interesting Sunday morning. First off, about half the choir, myself included, thought we were singing at both services, resulting in an arrival at church about 2 hours earlier than needed.
Because it was Palm Sunday, we of course sang about Jesus arriving in Jerusalem. We sang Bret Hesla's "Pave the Way with Branches", while the kids brought their branches to the front of the church. For those of you unfamiliar with the lyrics:
Jesus is coming . . . Release for the captives . . . . Jesus is coming . . . Land for the landless . . . Jesus is coming . . . Hope for the down trod . . . Jesus is coming . . . Debts are forgiven . . . Jesus is coming . . . Pave the way with branches . . . Hosanna
We sang these verses joyfully--the tune is joyful, celebratory, and exuberant. Much like I imagine Jesus processing into Jerusalem.
But afterwards I picked up a pencil, and wrote in the margin of my bulletin:
"How does this work? How do Christians sing these words on Sunday and on Monday return to their self-centered lives? Where does the compassion they sing about, pray about on Sunday go when they leave the building?"
Now, please, don't get me wrong. I love my church, and it does many great things. But I have for many years now heard some members mutter about people on welfare, people who use the food bank, those people. One person I know is convinced that the recent break in at our church was the result of those people being around.
So let us return to Jesus, the guy who hung out with tax collectors, and women of ill repute, and who forgave them because he knew NONE of us is sinless.
What would Jesus do?
When the people were hungry, Jesus didn't ask why they didn't have jobs, why they didn't bring along food when they came to hear him speak, why they didn't get up off their lazy asses or make them feel ashamed. He just simply made sure they ate.
Over and over and OVER the Bible, both in the New and Old Testament tells us that we are to care for those who do not have enough.
Yet we begrudge them food stamps. We talk about how the government is taking "our money". In one way, I suppose this is true. But in another way, it isn't. As Christians, we acknowledge that what we have, all that we have, is a gift from God. And we are to share that gift.
Now, I know that one of the arguments is that churches should be able to take care of the poor instead of the government. But for this to work, EVERY church, synagogue and mosque in the country would have to spend an additional $50,000 a year. EVERY ONE OF THEM.
I've been in a lot of churches in my area. Some can barely pay the light bill. One I know of can't pay the pastor. How are they going to come up with an additional $50,000 a year?
The government isn't some body of unknown people in Washington DC. It is you and me. WE THE PEOPLE. And in our more perfect union, we strive for justice and domestic tranquility, in part by ensuring that no child goes without a lunch at school and that no family can not afford to eat. Our common defense is programs like food stamps, medicaid and social security; we promote the general welfare by building schools and hospitals; and secure the blessings of liberty by recognizing that we are all in this together, united to be one people, one nation.
Jesus is coming. Release for the captives. Land for the landless. Hope for the down trod. Debts are forgiven. Jesus is coming. Hosanna!
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