Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Proper 18 (23)- Year B
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. [22:2]
Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. [22:9]
A wonderful argument for a stewardship pledge drive. G*D has made us all. We honor that by putting everything together. The polarity of those who have more than enough and those who have less than enough find a way wherein those with much don't have too much (they have shared their bread) and those with little don't have too little (they have bread shared with them).
It may even be more important to find our common spot than to talk about our need to give and a promise of even more prosperity if we cast our bread upon the waters or into the pastor's pocket.
Let's look for the place that best brings us together as it seems is G*D's best intention for us. Let's resist stopping short with only personal reasons for giving. In sharing and being shared with we re-member G*D.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/september2003.html
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 or Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 125 or Psalm 146
James 2:1-17
Mark 7:24-37
Raise a glass, "The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all."
May your heart be strong, not just from the drink, but in appreciation of a presence of G*D that sets you free to no longer judge rich and poor, but to live justice attempted and completed.
This open-eyed justice does away with acts of favoritism, in any direction, as we recognize our neighbor as ourself. This communal approach leads to mercy received, given, and shared. Such faith is practical, beyond cant.
- - -
be opened woman from afar
be opened Jesus so near
be opened ye deaf
be opened you onlookers
be opened scoffers and praisers
let us shape one another
in G*D's image
beyond hierarchy
beyond favoritism
beyond simply beyond
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
A good name is important. Being able to self-identify is important. When we play games with names we are on dangerous territory. When we identify another contrary to their self-identity we are blaspheming.
Generosity is a blessed event. To share bread or healing or compassion with another is to join their life, to lift both our lives. When we threaten to block generosity or otherwise waste it we are setting ourselves up to loose the gift we have.
Intentionally defend the poor until it becomes second-nature or seemingly unintentional. Defending the poor with their correct human name and modeling generosity, speeds up G*D's justice since it seems to grind along slowly and through such vehicles as you, and me.
- Listen to the way people self-identify and use that same language.
- Be generous and be blessed.
- Join G*D in coming to the defense of the poor.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
Fortunately Proverbs come in parallel statements. This gives a second opportunity to view what is at issue. Using two sources of data can lift a 2-D movie to 3-D and do the equivalent with our imagination.
A good name — partner in creation — is not only a valuable commodity to be traded on, it is a realistic way to look at all our various relationship.
When we are clear about our connection with creation we begin to lose the cultural and tribal distinctions of “rich” and “poor” at home or “us” and “them” anywhere. This perception opens us to connections with justice and generosity in new and helpful ways.
Likewise, beginning with issues of injustice ultimately backfiring and what works, what blesses, is generosity, we return to where we began — creation itself being on a track of just generosity, generativity of partnership measuring healthy relationships.
our good name
partner of creation
steps apart from injustice
draws near through generosity
refuses to rob or afflict
stands with creators everywhere
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2012/09/proverbs-221-2-8-9-22-23.html