When human beings find themselves in trouble, the refrain that sings in our heads is often, Oh, if only I were wealthy, this would not happen to me. We believe that somehow wealth and privilege protect us from misfortune. Such a belief is not held only by those who are poor and vulnerable; the rich and powerful also buy into this way of thinking. Purple has long been the color of royalty and signified wealth and power when worn. In our day and age, the plaid of Burberry or the G and red and green stripes of Gucci loudly declare, This person has wealth. Today, as well as hundreds of years ago, the way in which we adorn ourselves sends a message to those around us. The person wearing the purple robe or plaid raincoat feels the authority that comes with their pomp.”… We may not be able to overcome our persecutors; we may not be able to stop the trouble in our life; but we do not have to buy into the idea that because of wealth and privilege, some people are more valuable than other people. God does not judge us by the purple we wear or the shiny shoes that adorn our feet. When all is stripped away, we are equal, like the animals that perish. The psalmist wants us all to hear his riddle and his solution. He wants us to shatter the illusion that the pomp and circumstance of others somehow make us inferior. Today, just as in the time of the psalmists, this is a very hard illusion to break. Those with wealth and privilege do adorn themselves with symbols of power—the power suit, the killer stilettos, the Rolex watches, and the diamond bracelets. They all scream, I am privileged—you are not; I am superior—you are inferior. This message pervades the religious community as well. When people visit a church, they cant help but take note of whether the paint is peeling in the Sunday school rooms or the sanctuary sports the latest in technological equipment. When pastors gather at clergy functions, the get-to-know-you question is often, How many do you have in worship? What is the size of your congregation? We talk about big-steeple preachers, and we make assumptions about them and their congregations. Even within congregations, there is a language used to describe large donors; elders and pastors alike are frequently urged not to upset the big givers. It is very difficult to heed the words of the psalmist, in the world and in the church. If we are indeed able to hear the psalmists words and give thought to the solution of his riddle, the divine reality breaks through the illusion of wealth and privilege, even in the church, perhaps especially in the church. We are no longer pastoral congregations or program congregations. We are just the people of God, gathered for worship and mission. We minister together, the wise and the dolt; and some day together, the dolt and the wise, we are like the animals that perish. --Amy C. Howe, Feasting on the Word
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:19:38 +0000
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