Happy Leap Year!

Genesis 18:1-15 Hebrews 13:1-2

What acts of hospitality does Abraham show to the three travelers?

Showing hospitality to strangers was very important in that culture.  it was considered a sacred duty.  Why do you think we’ve lost that value in our culture?

The writer of Hebrews references this story to encourage hospitality.  We may be entertaining angels without knowing it.  Would seeing a person who is homeless as an angel change your reaction to her/him?  How?

How might you recover hospitality  in your life?  How will a “stranger/angel” in your community experience your hospitality today?

Matthew 25:34-36

Theologian Walter Brueggemann describes the stranger as “people without a place.”  Asbury professor Christine D. Pohl in her book, Making Room, adds, “to be without a place means to be detached from basic, life-supporting institutions—family, work, polity, religious community, and to be without networks of relations that sustain and support human beings.  This is the condition in which homeless people, displaced poor people, refugees and undocumented persons find themselves.”

From what networks and institutions do you receive “support”?  What networks and institutions are you a part of for the support of others?  What can you do to strengthen these “life-supporting institutions” for the homeless and displaced?

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

1 Kings 17:1-24

A widow of Zarephath who was close to death due to poverty, could not provide for her family.  Yet she opened her pantry and her home to homeless Elijah.  What was the result?

When have you said to yourself that you cannot afford to be generous?  When have you given to others in need and found yourself to be blessed as a result?

“The Similitudes 1” 

The Similitudes were written in the 2nd Century by Hermas.  The Shepherd reminded his flock  that the servants of God live in a “strange country” far from their true home.  Given our alien status, it makes little sense for believers to collect possessions, fields and houses. Hermas suggested that whatever believers had beyond what was sufficient for their needs was for the needs of widows, orphans and the poor.  God gave his people more than enough for the purpose of generous giving—not for increasing their own comfort.

What is the last “unnecessary” purchase you made related to your home?  What was your last purchase to increase your comfort?  How do you decide when you have “enough”?  What—if any—objections do you sense when you read The Similitudes?  Why?

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines the homeless in 4 categories:  1) individuals or families not having a fixed, regular or adequate night time residence or who sleep in shelters or public places not designed for overnight accommodations, 2) individuals or families who will lose their housing within 14 days if they have no subsequent residence identified, 3) unaccompanied youth or families with children who have moved more than 2 times during the last 60 days, 4) individuals or families that are fleeing domestic violence, dating violence or stalking if they have no other residence.   This does not consider those individuals or families that move in with relatives or friends because of loss of housing.  Who do you know who would fit into any of these categories?

In Chicago, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, estimates that there are between 100,000 and 160,000 people who are homeless during the course of a year.  In Lancaster, PA, Tabor Community Services estimates that there are over 600 people who are homeless on any given day.  Why do you think people are homeless?  Is it their fault?  Is it their choice?  Are there other forces at work that can push people from secure housing?  If so, what are those forces?

According to the National Coalition For the Homeless, poverty and homelessness are inextricably linked.  A growing number of people simply cannot afford to live in a house or apartment.   A depressed job market only makes the problem worse.  See  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/affordable-rentals_n_1282519.html.  

What would happen to your housing if you suddenly lost your job, experienced a catastrophic illness or experienced divorce or the death of a wage earning spouse? How would you respond if someone assumed your housing problems were your fault?

Reflecting on Home

In the classic movie version of “The Wizard of Oz”, Dorothy discovered after her adventure that “There’s no place like home.”  What does the word “home” connote for you?  What would it mean for you, then, to become “homeless”?  List a few of the things you would lose (in addition to the obvious) if you lost your housing.

Take a few moments to pray for those who do not have a home and for those who are in the process of losing their home.  Also pray that God will use our Compact, 40 Days for Shelter, to do a new work in your heart and to lead you to take action on behalf of others.  Finally, pray for the others that are entering the Compact at Kimball Avenue Church, Faith Church in Lancaster, PA, and across the nation.

The first “rule” of the Lenten Compact is “give up making unnecessary home improvement, furniture or home decor purchases (either at a store or online)”.  Do you think that will be easy or difficult for you?  What (if any) additional steps such as not decorating for holidays, turning down your heat or vacating a room are you choosing?  Suggestion:  tell someone else who is participating in the Compact what actions you are taking and ask them to hold you accountable.

Welcome to the 2012 Lenten Compact, 40 Days For Shelter.  Each day from now until Easter (except Sundays), a Scripture, reflection questions, articles and information to hep you engage in the issue of home, housing and security will be posted on this site.  While this could easily be an individual exercise, we encourage you to discuss your thoughts with others and make comments.  Together, let’s “fast” and pray that God’s kingdom will come and God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

How do you see God’s word through Isaiah (vs 1-5) applying to our nation?  Think of an example of how we “seem eager” to know God, yet do what we please.

On this first day of Lent as we begin our “fast”, we are confronted with how empty fasting can be. Isaiah reminds us that self-denial for the sake of self-denial is pointless.  It is meant to result in action on behalf of others.   List the actions Isaiah identifies.  Which actions seem easy?  Which actions seem more difficult?  Why do you think it is easier for churches to give money to a homeless shelter than to petition the county for funds to build more affordable or subsidized housing in their community?  Why is “loosing the chains of injustice” so difficult?