“PUSH COMES TO SHOVE!”

September 1, 2013

 SCRIPTURE LESSON:  LUKE 14:1, 7-14

September 1, 2013, was the 1^st Sunday on the month; and, a Christian Sabbath Day.  This day was the 1^st Sunday before the 1^st Monday of September.  Each year in the United States of America, the 1st Monday of September is Labor Day.  Labor Day is an annual holiday that recognizes unions and non-union laborers.  From a resolution of the American Federation of Labor (the A.F. of L) convention of 1909, the Sunday proceeding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.[1]  The day is set aside to celebrate the struggles and achievements of worker’s rights, social and economic fairness with achievements in the workplace throughout the years.  Hence, Labor Sunday was a Sabbath Day, for renewal.

Renewal – for what?

Glad you asked!

In Luke, Jesus essentially lays out and invites followers to be attentive to the needs of the “least of these.”  (Matthew 25:31-46)   All have the opportunity to be hospitable to others – no matter what the social or economic status may be!  Regardless of what statistical data indicates about the disparity between wealth and income of US citizens by population (ethnic, racial, gender, creed, sexual orientation, age, abilities, nationality or social status), we are directed to show humility as an invitee and show hospitality and graciousness as a host toward the disadvantaged.  No matter who you are, from where you come, what your social status or circumstance, you are welcomed at the Communion Table to share a meal of renewal.  Likewise, in community, show the same hospitality and compassion in your everyday living.

On Labor Day, people publicly demonstrate concerns for the disparity in living wages and living conditions for 90% of the people – especially in the United States of America, supposedly the riches nation in the world.  One percent of the population in the nation enjoys much of the wealth and a great portion of the income!

Since the great recession of 2008, the unemployment rate has remained over 7.5% nationally, and for minorities up to above 20% depending of the racial group, age, and gender.  An inordinate amount of citizens (especially the middle-income bracket) lost their jobs at no fault of their own.  Businesses and government agencies had to restructure the workplace and severely cut budgets.  Consequently, many workers became unemployed or underemployed.  The under-employed are force to accept minimum wages much lower than their value according to their expertise or skill-set.  Hence, they are surviving of below the poverty level.  Notably, these are workers who were part of the middle-come group between the ages of 40-60 years.  This age group, generally, have family members that are in school or at the start of their careers.  Also, these families have lost the homes, are paying for mortgages that are more than the home is worth or moving in with relatives.

 On the other hand, corporations and big businesses broken up as small franchises doing business and small companies are not hiring.  Large banks are not lending money to small businesses or mortgage seekers.  The main interest of big business is to increase their corporations’ profits and expand their owner’s and executive’s income.  Conversely, businesses are contracting jobs or expanding duties and job descriptions with less pay or compensation.  Is that being hospitable, gracious, compassionate and sensitive to the conditions of others?  What can be done besides whining and waiting for a change?

In 1971, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founded the organization entitled, “People United to Save Humanity” or “P U S H.”  Communities and other social justice organizations have been committed to that mission and used it as a mantra for achieving parity for all people.  However, the mantra now should evolve from “P U S H” to a new invocation for action called “S H O V E” (Show How Our Vote Enables).

This year, commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the March on Washington and hearing, again, the dynamic and prophetic speech of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was our spiritual and empowering invitation to come together at the table of justice.  Again, to come and renew our marching movement to correct the injustices and inequities toward minorities (African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Senior Citizens, Persons with Different Abilities, and the LGBTQ community.  Come again, to the renewal table for spiritual direction to move from “P U S H” to “S H O V E.”

For the last 42 years, the God-given rights, social and economic fairness of people have diminished.

• voting rights of “the least of these” are being suppressed;
• affordable and adequate health-care for all is threatened;
• a living wage is being denied;
• affordable and quality education is compromised;
• the criminal justice system profiles black and brown males using “stop and frisk” and “stand your ground” laws;
• women’s rights to make their own choices are denigrated and subjected to policies of state governments’-approved rape with vaginal probes;
• our precious gifts of children are being daily gunned down while gun proponents and leaders of the National Rifle Association deny the need for gun control!.

Now, in 2013, at the renewal table we are invited and charged by Jesus to move again; love mercy, but more aggressively with compassion and intentionality to do justice; yet, walk humbly before God.  Adopt the mantra S H O V E!

SHOW HOW OUR VOTE ENABLES

S = SHOW – THAT YOU ARE INVITED BY YOUR GOD to use your God-given right to stand up for justice, freedom, and equality by not aspiring to take the best place or even give the best seat to the affluent privileged and leave the least economically deprived behind; yet, not “go to the back of the line of opportunity that facilitates the oppressive will of others.

H = HOW – Show how to exemplify what is right in the eyes of God for God’s people.  Express how to make changes in policies that oppress and suppress people’s rights.

O = OUR – Show that our collective position is to speak truth to power, “love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly before our God.” (Micah 6:8)

V = VOTE – Show how our vote makes a difference.  Be deliberate and intentional when exercising your right to vote – even when information is discouraging and/or misleading.  A non-vote means a “no vote” for what is right!

E = ENABLES – Show how our vote enables “… justice to roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24 – New International Verson).
Jeremiah 22:3 reads:

“This is what the LORD says:  Do what is just and right.  Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed.  Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”

Push gives way to a stronger effort – a non-violent, philosophical, tactical shove.  It seems apparent that the proponents to save humanity needed to involve a generation that is more inclusive, technologically smarter, energetically stronger, philosophically rational, and spiritually empowered.  Our future depends on their involvement.  God’s people depend on the younger innovative generation to coalesce with the older, wiser generation.  Together, God’s people will shove away the oppressive, suppressive, repressive acts against liberation.

On September 1, 2013, Labor Sabbath Day, all were invited to the table in response to God’s invitation to follow Jesus, who “sho(vv)ed” us the way through the power of the Holy Spirit!

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