Today’s Reflections on a reading from Isaiah

“Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause does not come before them.”

During the holiday season there is a great deal of people who beg on the train. I think there are a couple of reasons for this. First, people seem more generous with their funds during a time that is consistently talking about peace and being thankful for all that we do have and giving to the less fortunate. Second, it’s getting colder (well thanks to global warming, maybe not that cold) and with cold comes more anxiety and fear around survival. If one is living in the streets or on an edge towards hunger and homelessness, things don’t feel as hopeful, I would imagine. Thirdly, there are more tourist, and tourist feel pretty bad about saying no.

When I first came back home from VT, I was very eager to give my money away. Every time someone asked, I would have a pile of coins in my pocket and give up something. And then time passes. I get annoyed and frustrated, saying to myself, “not you again. I know you dude. If you just get off at this stop there is a soup kitchen upstairs and a church with an amazing outreach program.” But I don’t give them that information nor do I give them money. So this person is then left with nothing. Or I don’t really know.

There is a line that I am very aware of. If I missed my next paycheck for some reason, I would be ok. I have enough in my savings account to survive. But if I missed another one, then things could start getting hairy. And if I missed another one, then I might be out on the street or up for eviction. The line between the person begging on the train and me is not that thick. I like to think that the social nets of society would carry me and hold me. But we all know that this is a lot more difficult than is perceived. I also like to think that my spiritual community and family/friend networks would help support me so that I could get past the hump. But what if the hump becomes higher and broader than originally expected? What would I do then? Would I be on the train with my bassoon attempting to make some extra cash to get through the meantime? Would my church be there to support me? Would my friends and family have the means to help me get by until I could figure out how to get by on my own? What if they too come across hard times? Am I in a place to support and be their net?

This are really complex and difficult questions. When I think about the role of the church family it is in part to be a net in the complex web of society so that we can cushion the blow a bit. Or maybe even stop the impending moment. Through prayer, practice, gifts, etc… we could put those who are pushed off the cliff or jump at the center of our worship there with Jesus. Isaiah doesn’t even seem to be asking us to do much. Just be aware of the pain and suffering of those who are the outcasts of society. Living in NYC and riding the public transit everyday, I am very aware of the “orphans” and the “widow” the difficult question of course is what should I Tamara Plummer be doing about it. That seems far more difficult than recognizing. Now if you are not even noticing the despair around you, I offer you to take a moment, to open your ears, your eyes, and your heart and to listen to it all in patience with the other and more importantly with yourself.