Truth or Trick or Treat

“Even when the economy is shuffling along like a zombie, Americans aren't scared to spend big bucks on Halloween,” a newscaster said on the radio.  “A recent survey says the average person will spend $72.32 on Halloween — or about $6.8 billion nationwide.  Out of the average total, we're buying at least $20 worth of candy alone. And to make sure our pets get the most of the holiday, we're shelling out $310 million on pet costumes.” The result of the survey administered by the National Retail Federation got airtime on every news stations both TV and Radio.  Overall, Halloween beats out Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July and Easter, and is only outdone by Christmas when it comes to total spending.

All the news reports gave the impression that this “scary” spending is good for the economy but it probably won’t last in helping its long-term recovery.  While I appreciated other news reports on tips to keep children safe and ways to help them stay healthy in the midst of tempting sweets, I can’t help but notice that the currency of money has crept in as the key measuring rod of success of this holiday.

This is the truth about the tradition of “trick or treat.”  The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food and money in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2).

Yes, the tradition of Halloween was partly about money but it is not about how much people spend to support the economy.  It was about poor people in need, and rich people who could give, and the exchanges were prayers and songs.  Perhaps Halloween is supposed to remind us of the uneven distribution of resources in our communities and that on this one night, at least, we would acknowledge it or there would be unfortunate consequences (such as mischief and tricks).  Perhaps Halloween is about acknowledging the truth.

In that sense, the Occupy Movement that started on Wall Street is following the original spirit of Halloween.  The protesters are knocking on the doors of the financial corporations insisting them to acknowledge the financial injustices that they had instigated. (This is the treat that the protesters demand.) As long as the financial institutions and the political players ignore them, they will continue to occupy strategic places, legally and illegally. (This is the trick.) The difference between this movement and Halloween is: they are not looking for just one night of acknowledgement and a little handout in exchange for appeasement.  They are building an international relationship-network; they are helping each other to continue to speak the truth in spite of the aggressive reactions of the system -- arrests, tear gas, confiscation of generators and heaters as winter approaches.  They are using other currencies such as relationship and truth to move our communities toward financial, social and spiritual wellness. 

Perhaps during this week when we celebrate Halloween, All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day and all future holidays for that matter, we can decide not to worship money.  Instead, we can reframe our measure of success using other currencies such as truth, wellness, relationship and leadership.

Invite members of your community to come together to explore the following question: What would the celebration of Halloween be like if we decide to measure our success using the following currencies: Leadership Relationship Truth Wellness? Form 4 small groups and give each group one of the “currencies” – Leadership, Relationship, Truth or Wellness.  Invite each group to explore new rituals, events, and processes that would help participants of the celebration to develop this currency.  (Here are some examples.  For leadership, create costumes of important leaders for children to wear in your community; engage the children in an exploration of what made them great leaders.  For relationship, instead of just handing out candy, invite the children/parents in your house and have a getting-to-know-each-other activity.  For wellness, offer a wellness and safety workshop for parents and children before they go out trick-or-treating.  Etc.) Invite each group to report. As a large group, select 4-5 action items to be implemented for next year’s Halloween. (You can use this process to assist your community to explore how to refocus the upcoming holidays, such as Thanksgivings and Christmas – to achieve relationship, truth, leadership and wellness.)

Reflection Questions for Proper 27 (Year A) Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25    What is the process for making a covenant? Psalm 78:1-7  What did you learn from the last generation that you would pass on to the next? Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16   How do you love wisdom?    Amos 5:18-24   What does it mean for justice to roll down like waters? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   How are these words encouraging to you today? Matthew 25:1-3   What might cause you to miss entering into God’s Realm?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org

Come to Los Angeles in 2012 to study with The Sustainist, the first  two opportunities: February 27–March 2, 2012 Kaleidoscope Winter Institute Holy Currencies Conversations on Money and Sustainable Ministry March 14–18, 2012 Face to Face Seeing and Hearing Each Other . . . Knowing God Creative liturgy & music for a diverse and changing world An ecumenical gathering of church leaders to create worship experiences that are authentic, relational and missional

What would the celebration of Halloween be like if we decide to measure our success using the following currencies: