funeral for justice

First off, congrats to the New Orleans Saints for winning the Super Bowl!  I totally called it.  I find tonight's post relevant in honor of NO, a place with deep poverty, injustice, and damage.  I had the opportunity to travel down there a few months after Katrina with some college friends.  It was very disheartening to see a vacated city and to have to gut people's houses.  Even more disheartening is the poverty that led to the hurricane being so much more disastrous.  There are parallels with Haiti, a place that has suffered from poverty and oppression.

In this light, I offer you guys to check out THIS article.

This article speaks of a budget cut to PA's state budget that was only recently realized.  In an effort to balance a state budget, they decided to cut SSI, the income reserved for the poorest of the poor.  People that only make $500-600 a month were made to suffer even more from budget cuts.

I know this has happened in many states across the US in this economy.  Many would argue that in dire circumstances, ALL must face the negative effects of the economy.  This is a difficult situation and often calls to examine everything relatively.  However, the premise of balancing the budget at expense of the poor is simply unacceptable.  Being in relationship with MANY people on SSI this year has made this decision very real to me.

They sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals.
They trample on the heads of the poor
as upon the dust of the ground
and deny justice to the oppressed. (Amos 2:6-7)

Despite the complexity of budget issues, we MUST believe in a better way.



We are called to examine these situations theologically, and as a community of faith, BSM came to realize that this injustice against the poor is NOT what God intends for humanity.

In response, BSM and many friends throughout the city showed up for a demonstration.  As Amos spoke up to the ruling authorities of his time, so did BSM speak up for the poor of the city.  I invite you to CHECK out the pictures.

I know there are many that read my blog who would be disgusted that a church would make such a statement to the state, or engage in something so "disorderly" or "unruly." However, OT prophets were known for speaking the truth of God to the state.  Christ made a few political statements himself ; )

I was unfortunately unable to attend this event due to the seminary roadtrip...however, we are talking about taking this demonstration on to the capital of PA to continue to speak the truth about the plight of the poor.  Do we expect something out of this?  We are not politicians.  We do not control policy.  However, we are people of faith who believe that children of God deserve justice and equality.  We are people of faith who believe that the poor and helpless deserve to be honored.  BSM is not afraid to speak these messages to those in power, much like the OT prophets and Christ himself did.

May we continue to be observant to injustice and become voices that speak on behalf of God's children around the world.