“Approximately 8-in-10 (79%) Americans believe the gap between the rich and the poor has gotten larger over the past 20 years,” revealed the November Public Religion Research Institute Survey, “But they are more divided about the impact of this perceived rise in inequality on the idea of the American Dream. Two-thirds (67%) of Americans say the government should do more to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. There is a striking 40-point gap between Republicans and Democrats on this question. More than 8-in-10 (83%) Democrats agree that the government should do more to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, compared to only 43% of Republicans.”
Given the state of the U.S. Congress, I am not surprised that there are seemingly irreconcilable differences on whether the government should get involved in reducing the gap between the rich and the poor.
Here are some texts that might help us think through this. They are excerpts from the Bible lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary of the upcoming Sunday. This means the majority of the mainline Christian denominations will be listening to these texts this Sunday and in most cases, the preachers will be preaching from these texts.
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Those who sowed with tears
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,. . . (Isaiah 61:1-4)
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. (Psalm 126:6-7)[God] has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (Luke 1:51-53)
These texts and many others in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, revealed a pattern of God’s attitude toward the poor and the rich, the powerless and the powerful. The text from Luke, traditionally called the Magnificat or the Song of Mary, gave us the dynamic divine action of lifting up the lowly while casting down the mighty.
So, whether the government should be involved in reducing the gap between the rich and poor; you can decide with your political influences through your votes and other means. I think it is significant that two thirds of Americans think the government should be involved. Perhaps, the Occupy Movement has been the voice crying out in the wilderness calling for the leveling of the economic field. And for people of faith who read and follow the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, we are called to follow God’s patterns and one of these patterns is to act in ways that will level out the economic and political field by lifting up the poor and pulling down the rich.
Gather your community for a conversation on being rich and poor.
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Reflection Questions for 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year B) Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 Luke 1:46-55 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 |
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 |
It's interesting that surveys never consider "independent" voters. Even our surveys polarize our views into "us" and "them" categories. I consider myself rich, but I don't think I'm part of the 1%. Net household income is around $150k per year. But I can eat and drink what I want. I'm not lacking. But I feel we're losing ground. Fewer frills, fewer vacations. We used to subscribe to the opera, orchestra and other concert seasons. Not any longer. We do our own house keeping and yard care. I don't have as much to share with charities. We used to be able to tithe more than 10%. Not now.
I'm angry that greed seems a dominant trait in society. If one is a CEO or such, excessive salaries are the norm. Go ahead, ruin the company, we'll even give you a bonus when we fire you. What happened to morals? ethics? Love your neighbor? Concern for more than just your self?
I need to find a way to be a voice in the wilderness, too. Not a whiner that complains. One who cries for justice and equity. I haven't found that voice yet.
Posted by: Stillandsmall | 12/06/2011 at 07:00 PM