Capitalism Run Amok For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have in abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken from them. Matthew 25:29 For the most part, I consider myself a capitalist, meaning I believe when the marketplace of products, services, and … Continue reading Capitalism Run Amok
Category: meditation
Poverty, Part 5
Poverty, Part 5 …(Jesus) said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” John 21:16 There are different types and manifestations of poverty, which is not only an affliction of the poor. Some form … Continue reading Poverty, Part 5
Poverty, Part 4
Poverty, Part 4 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish… Mark 14:7 Last week I focused on the relative nature of poverty. For the most part, being poor or living in poverty are not well-defined states of existence but are assumed in relation to … Continue reading Poverty, Part 4
Poverty, Part 3
Poverty, Part 3 He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, … Continue reading Poverty, Part 3
Poverty, Part 2
Poverty, Part 2 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42 I remember learning about a phenomenon called the cycle of poverty in an undergraduate class in college. For me, it was a stunning revelation about how public efforts aimed at helping prevent … Continue reading Poverty, Part 2
Poverty
Poverty Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20 I covered some impacts of poverty in my Life Notes on homelessness over the past few weeks. Certainly, homelessness is a subset of poverty, and many of the challenges of homelessness remain even after one becomes housed, but now … Continue reading Poverty
Homelessness, Part 5
Homelessness, Part 5 Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 I have written that the homeless often expose the hypocrisy of Christian churches, particularly those located in areas where marginalized persons congregate, which … Continue reading Homelessness, Part 5
Homelessness, Part 4
Homelessness, Part 4 The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. Lamentations 3:19 (NRSV) Many churches, particularly downtown churches, face a challenging dilemma when it comes to the homeless. My own church is among them. There is no doubt … Continue reading Homelessness, Part 4
Homelessness, Part 3
Homelessness, Part 3 “Homelessness is associated with dereliction, dispossession, instability, rootlessness, restlessness, emptiness and chronic longing. The Book of Symbols [1] In considering the social pandemic of homelessness, it is interesting to explore the symbolism of houses and homes. Symbolically, a house often represents the container for the soul or the true self. In dreams, … Continue reading Homelessness, Part 3
Homelessness, Part 2
Homelessness, Part 2 “I like to think of this problem of homelessness as a prism held up to society, and what we see refracted are the weaknesses in our health care system, our public health system, our housing system, … our welfare system, our educational system, … our legal system, and our correctional system. Dr. … Continue reading Homelessness, Part 2
Contemplating Grace 