Love Your Asian Neighbor
According to the 2010 US Census, Asian Americans constitute 5.6 percent of the total American population. In Ridgefield, 3.0 percent of the population identify themselves as Asian. An “Asian” in America is anyone who can trace their ancestry to one or more Asian countries. While considered a minority nationally and locally, globally, Asia dominates in landmass and population. The “Asian” label masks deep diversity in culture, cuisine, religious affiliation, economies, environments, government systems, historical ties, geographies, nations, languages, and social constructs.
Speaking as an “Asian Neighbor” I, Gus Shippert, struggle with how I want you to see me as both the “same” and “different”. I also struggle with representing a group of people so diverse that it is impossible to speak on their behalf. I cannot claim to know what is “Asian”, beyond my own experience with its people and growing up in Indonesia. What I can suppose is that, while we seek inclusion, we also want people to see beyond the visible features…beyond the ‘mask’…to see what is unique and can be learned. I welcome the opportunity to share my Balinese culture, my religion, my family’s history and my journey to America, with all of its challenges and triumphs.
Dear God,
In all your wisdom, you created diversity amongst people so that we may learn and grow in love, tolerance, generosity and kindness towards all. Help us celebrate what is different and to look beyond our ‘masks’ so that we may unite in Love and solve for common challenges guided by your Word. Amen.
A Prayer for the Wealthy. A Prayer for Us.
Half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 of day. Over a billion children suffer in poverty. Will you sleep with a roof over your head tonight? Do you have more than one pair of shoes? Did you eat breakfast this morning? You live in a rarified world where your children get a good education, food is wasted with abandon, and all the information in the world is available to you on your handheld supercomputer. You, my neighbor, are wealthy.
But, Jesus says, “No man can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13). It is not by chance that vows of poverty are fundamental to so many who devote their lives to their faith. We cannot serve two masters.
So is it wrong to be rich? It just might be so. Focusing on our wealth — our clothes, our cars, our homes — means that we are not focused on God. We cannot serve two masters.
We tell ourselves that if we give a little each month then we’re doing our part. We tell ourselves “Others have more, let them give.” We tell ourselves that we’re going to give it all away—but only after we’re gone. We cannot serve two masters.
Wealth is a weight of the world chaining us to a small life, a life where we continuously fear losing our wealth. To renounce wealth takes great courage. Actually, it takes more than courage, it takes faith. Faith that our life will become more with less. Without wealth our fears will fall away, our vision will become clear, and our spirit will soar. Then, in that moment, we find God. We cannot serve two masters.
Loving God, help all us who are burdened with worldly wealth to find the faith to eschew our hoarded treasure. Help us to find the faith to know that with the burden of wealth gone, you will fill the void. Help us to find the faith to serve you first. We know that we suffer and severely limit ourselves by divided loyalties.* Amen.
*This last sentence is taken from a written piece by Richard Rohr, O.F.M.
Love your disabled neighbor
Speaking as a “disabled neighbor” is a bit daunting. Part of the intimidation is that there are so many of us (the U.S. government has estimated that up to 20% of the adult U.S. population has a disability) and that we and our disabilities are so varied. Part of it is that so much of the experience of disability isn’t very appealing. With those caveats, I can offer some observations, which may apply to others, but certainly apply to me. The first of these is that disability has an enormous impact on how we define ourselves and our relationship with the world outside ourselves, regardless of what our particular disabilities are. This process of self-definition is continual and it takes time: I have struggled with feelings of intense loss, anger, disappointment, shame, longing, envy, and insufficiency. I have also experienced feelings of gratitude, love, hope, relief, and acceptance. I have developed a complex relationship with the idea of normalcy: I crave it, but I appreciate it when others can accept when I cannot achieve it and take steps to enable me to participate in “normal” activities. I do not want to draw attention to myself, but I also do not want to be forgotten. I strive every day to find the elusive balance between mastering my disability, contributing to the life of my community, and not being too proud to accept the help of others when I need it. The pursuit of this balance has been my life’s struggle and it will continue as long as I do.
A Prayer
Good Lord, we thank you for all that you have given us. Whatever our abilities, give us strength and courage to meet our todays and tomorrows with optimism, creativity, and enthusiasm. Do not let pride or shame keep us from accepting a helping hand when it is offered and also help each of us lend our own hand to others whenever possible. Free us from assumptions when we notice others’ particular abilities. May we always be open to learning something new from one another. Amen.
The LGBTQ community in America is represented by diverse ages, racial / ethnic backgrounds, religious convictions and belief systems. Using Gallup poll data taken from interviewing 1.6 million adults it is estimated that, as of 2017, approximately 10 million Americans identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning representing 4% of the general population (and around 7.3 % of the population born between 1980 and 1998).
The LGBTQ social movement advocates for the full acceptance of LBGTQ people in society. Discrimination against the Community was pervasive until quite recently. For example, until 1990 Congress allowed a 1969 law which allowed for the exclusion of immigrants on the grounds they were homosexual to stand. The community has, however, made significant strides in social acceptance in the past twenty five years, culminating in the 2015 Obergefell v Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision, by a 5-4 vote, which legalized same sex marriage in all 50 states.
Since the advent of the modern gay rights movement in 1969 Christians have been among those who have raised their voices for LGBTQ equality.
Hear our prayer today for our LGBTQ neighbors who live in fear of discrimination and violence because of their sexual orientation.
Dear God, we who are divided, prejudiced at times, inclined to misunderstanding, or intolerant– as we consider the needs of the LGBTQ community, make us instead united, loving, open to learning, understanding and forgiving and tolerant. May your Spirit be present in us, as in all peoples. Amen.
Love your Muslim neighbor
What do Muslims believe? They believe that there is one God, Allah, who is eternal and the Creator. They believe in faith, prayer, charitable giving, fasting, and in doing a pilgrimage. They believe in the prophets, including Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and Muhammed. They believe in the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Quran.
As we can see even from the time of the Crusades (1100), Islam has been besieged by Western culture and powers. This has caused stress, anger, and turmoil on all sides of religion and culture. Islam has a rich history of enlightenment. But now, not unlike the Jews who were being dominated by Rome, some Muslims have become militant and have resorted to strict religious law, just as the Pharisees did in the time of Christ. The majority of Muslims believe that their religion has been hijacked by extremists, just as many Christians feel that their faith has been used by some as a weapon throughout history and even today.
There are good people and bad people of all faiths, and of no faith. Muslims across the globe are being persecuted because of the actions of a minority who have lashed out at the world in the name of Islam. Muslims in Africa and the Middle East have been forced to leave their homes, families, and livelihood to escape the likes of the Taliban, ISIS and Boko Harem. Many are living in refugee camps with no hope. A few lucky ones have been resettled in peaceful countries. Many Muslims are born and raised here America.
Hear our prayer today for our Muslim neighbors who live in fear and anxiety because of their faith.
Dear God, teach us tolerance for those that we feel are different from ourselves. Teach us to embrace our brothers and sisters who strive for the same things that we strive for – safety, family, and security. Teach us not to be fearful, but to be open. Remind us of the strength in the diversity of all creation.
We pray that as Christians we will follow the teachings of Jesus, who set an example for us. We pray for the strength to stand up for what is right and holy. We pray that peace will come to our world when we come together in love and understanding. Amen.
Love your homeless neighbor
The first thing you should know about the homeless is that they are indeed your neighbor. Homelessness is everywhere, including Fairfield County. While about 600,000 of the homeless in the U.S. live on the streets full time, 3.5 million will experience homelessness in any one year, including 1.5 million children. That’s one of every 50 kids in this country. 60,000 of the homeless are veterans.
All it can take is a divorce, a bankruptcy, an abusive spouse, or a substance abuse problem to render someone homeless. There may be no affordable housing or housing assistance in the area. The average “Housing Wage” is $18.80/hour, far above the minimum wage jobs most can attain.
Hear our prayer today for all women and men, boys and girls who are homeless this day. For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations. For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime. For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent. For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in. For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are. For those who are afraid and hopeless. For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net. For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope.
We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness. Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet so that we may be empowered through word and deed, and through the political means we have, to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless. Amen.
