Jesus’ first childhood memories would be of living in Egypt—as a political refugee/immigrant. While his family may have had a place to live, it was not “home” and it was not secure. Immigrants and refugees have few rights and limited access to safe, stable, sanitary housing. They are often victims of unscrupulous landlords and cannot defend themselves easily because of language, culture barriers and fear of exposure if they are undocumented. What do you think God wants us to learn from Jesus’ experience as a displaced person?
Author: Bruce Ray
Day 32
Leviticus 13:45-46; Luke 17:11-14
People with a variety of skin rashes could not live in the community. They were forced to live outside the camp. In Jesus day, people with conditions known as leprosy often wandered around in groups—homeless. Who, in our day, is excluded from the security and safety of the community? What conditions or circumstances force people into wandering? How can we make sure that people not only have basic shelter but are also included in the community?
For Further Reflection
In the 1980’s the state of Illinois shifted its provision of mental health services from an institutional model to a community-based model. While well-intentioned (place people in community), the result was often devastating to individuals and communities because there were not enough resources to meet their needs. As a result, thousands of people who were “deinstitutionalized” ended up homeless. Veterans, suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome and inability to reintegrate into their communities also make up a significant portion of the homeless population. What services are in place in your community to help these groups of wanderers? How do those services need to be strengthened? How are the churches in your community involved?
Day 31
As a displaced person, what dilemma did Abraham face when Sarah died? What do you think might have happened if Abraham had been poor?
What happens when a homeless person dies in your community? Where are they buried? Who buries them? Who mourns them? Who marks their grave?
If you don’t know the information, contact your County Medical Examiner’s Office.
What role could the church take in this situation?
Day 30
Jesus told this parable in the context of a family quarrel over how the inheritance would be divided. What was the rich man’s ultimate goal for himself?
How has wanting to “live comfortably” motivated your decisions? How have you been tempted to “upgrade” when you have more than enough? What do you think God would want you to do with your “extra”?
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Thanks to deflated land prices throughout the country, some homebuilders are putting up larger houses, not smaller ones, according to Build magazine. Builders can build bigger and still sell the property at a lower cost than before the housing downturn. In addition, builders can offer “upgrades” as standard. So now, buyers can get “more home for their money.” When has the “more bang for the buck” logic tempted you to purchase things you didn’t really need?
Day 29
The rich man in the story lived in a “gated community” while homeless Lazarus begged at the corner. Do you think the rich man was even aware of Lazarus? How aware are you of the homeless in your community?
The rich man was not condemned for being rich, but for living rich every day in the face of extreme poverty. From what you have learned from “Moses and the prophets” what would God want us to do in relationship to Lazarus? If you’re not sure, read Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
Why do you think homelessness is tolerated or accepted in your community?
For Further Reflection
“Gated communities” have been in the news the past several weeks with the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, FL, one month ago today. This tragic situation has brought old wounds related to race and class to the surface. Pray for justice and healing to come to Trayvon’s family, the community of Sanford and to our nation.
Day 28
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; 1 Kings 6:38 – 7:12
List the building projects of the writer. We learn that Solomon spent 7 years building the Temple in Jerusalem and 13 years building his palace. And it was all built with slave labor. What does that say about Solomon’s priorities? What logic do you think Solomon used to justify such a large and opulent house? What logic do people use today?
Why do we aspire to “big is better” and “luxury amenities”? What did Solomon come to realize about his home improvement projects? How can you live out his “lesson learned” in relationship to your home improvement and home décor?
For Further Reflection
Steven Huff is currently building the largest single-family home in the US—a 72,000 square foot mansion in southwestern Missouri. The Master Bedroom alone is 1,200 square feet. In upscale home building, the trend is to build homes inside homes (ie master bedroom suites and guest suites). According to the US Census Bureau, the average home size in 1950 was 1100 square feet. In 2010, homes averaged 2392 square feet. Yet the size of American households has decreased from 3.37 in 1950 to less than 2.5 today. Why do you think the size of our houses has increased so much?
What affect might all the extra space have on relationships? The environment? What is “enough” space for you/your family?
Day 27
Beds inlaid with Ivory, luxurious couches. These seem to be the trend in upscale homes of Amos’ day. Yet, the people are condemned for their complacency and for not grieving “over the ruin of Joseph.” (Joseph is not a person but a composite name for the community.) Those with economic means do not seem to be aware of or concerned about the economic state of the rest of the community. Our communities are often divided by economic class so that those with economic means are isolated geographically from those who are “ruined”. How can we, as people of faith, bridge the divide? What does “grieving for the ruin of the community” look like? What action could you take to identify more closely with those who do not enjoy the “luxury” of a bed?
Suggested Action: Participate in our upcoming Tent City on Saturday, March 31. For details of the Chicago event, download a flyer at www.kimballavenuechurch.org/main. For the Lancaster, PA, event contact Faith Church at 717.393.5345 for details.
For Further Reflection
The most expensive home for sale in the US is “The Manor”, Aaron Spelling’s 56,000 square foot estate in southern California. Asking price $150,000,000! In 2010, one man, Igor Chernomzav, purchased two condos at the 60-story Elysian Tower, paying over $15,000,000 for the two—the most ever paid for condos in Chicago. He was unavailable for comment as to why he needed two. While the housing market for most Americans has gone bust, those Americans with wealth are still purchasing homes at pre-recession rates and at pre-recession prices. In December 2011, an 11,000 square foot home on six acres of land on Lititz Pike in Lancaster, PA, sold for $1.8 million. There are currently 33 single family homes listed in Lancaster County for more than 1 million dollars—the most expensive is $3.1 million for a 10-acre estate with 6 bedrooms and 6 baths. (source: www.zillow.com) What is your reaction to these home prices in the midst of “the ruin of Joseph”? What do you think Amos (and God) might have to say?
Day 26
How does James (and God) feel about income inequity and the gap between the rich and the poor? How do you feel about it? What does James suggest is the root of the problem? Without employment and living wages, people are at risk of homelessness and housing instability. Does James suggest an answer to this problem? Does the gospel have an answer to this problem?
For Further Reflection
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a household would need more than one full time minimum wage worker to afford a two-bedroom rental apartment at fair market rent anywhere in the country. In fact, in the median state a minimum-wage worker would have to work 87 hours each week to afford a two-bedroom apartment at 30% of his or her income, which is the federal definition of affordable housing. The current Illinois minimum wage is $8.25 per hour. In Pennsylvania, the current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour (also the federal minimum wage). Contrary to popular belief, the majority of minimum-wage workers are not teenagers: approximately 79% of minimum age workers are 20 or older (The Economic Policy Institute, 2008).
Why do you think so many people are opposed to increasing the minimum wage? If we do not raise the minimum wage, what other ways could we make sure that housing becomes more affordable for families?
Here’s a disturbing statistic: According to a report released by the University of Michigan’s National Poverty Center, 1.46 million households currently live on less than $2 per person per day. How would you live on $2 a day? Read the full report HERE.
Day 25
God, through Jeremiah, condemns those who “build palaces by unrighteousness and upper rooms by injustice” and identifies the source of this opulence as the unpaid wages of the workers. Do you see this dynamic happening today? If so, where?
What is the obvious answer to Jeremiah’s question: “Does it make a person a king if he has more and more cedar?” Why then, do we aspire to accumulation of luxury goods and high-end amenities for our homes?
What actions ensure that it will “go well” with us? What does it look like to “defend the cause of the poor and the needy” in this context?
Day 24
Wars are frequently waged to gain control of land and the resources that are on/in the land. Nations often want to “extend their borders” (both literally and figuratively) and accomplish it through horrific acts of violence. Historically, how have wars that our nation waged extended our borders? How do you think God views our “expansion plans”?
What, if anything, could people of faith do about the past? Would corporate confession and repentance and some form of restitution help? If so, how? What could people of faith do about border expansion that might be proposed in the future?
Tongue on Fire 