A Matter of Life and Death

The issue of Capital Punishment isn't high on the national agenda at the moment. But I was confronted with that reality in the reading of Richard North Patterson's Conviction.

This carefully researched novel published in 2005, presents the case of a young, Afro-American male, who is charged and tried along with his older brother in the horrendous abuse and murder of a young girl. Complicating the case is the fact that the younger brother is mentally challenged if not retarded. Following his conviction the appeals process is picked up by a white, female lawyer who enlists her son and father, also lawyers, to examine every aspect of his trial and conviction. What they find is that every means is used to block any effective challenge to the original verdict.

This oppostion is often based on the political ambition, demands for revenge, lazy detective work, equally lazy public defenders, racial bias and the conventional belief that someone has to die to satisfy justice.

Shorty after reading the book I saw two old movies, Young Mr. Lincoln and Twelve Angry Men. Both these dealt with murders and the role of public opinion in the fate of those charged. Both are powerful statements that the discernment of guilt is not easy and the public demand to convict and kill and based on emotions and pujudices that are blinding.

Neither the book nor the movies touch on the religious relevance to the issue. Of course, that is where I would begin in building such a case. I will not pursue that further; I would only say that if one examines the life and words of Jesus both will be found to establish the sacredness of human life and reveals a God who values and protects life rather than vengefully extracts the pound of flesh for every crime. I believe God expects the same respect and care of children.

"Justice Takes a Back Seat"

First off, let me be clear, if anyone feels the need to enter national politics, I say "go for it." Run for any federal office that can use your skills. And, if you are a devout Christian, that is okay by me. Give it your best shot. You may accomplish what no one has ever been able to do before.




But, let me also be clear. There is mounting evidence cited by people who seem to have a handle on the nature of politics and the way government functions that the best efforts of those who seek to bring about meaningful change are largely futile.




I refer first to a column by a columnist for Newsweek magazine, Lisa Miller. Writing in the May 10 issue she applauds the Catholic Bishops for their stand on immigration reform. They have found allies in Senators Schumer and Stupak who share their concerns for the "tired and poor." The bishops have looked diligently for others who might also take up the cause. Some say they might be willing to vote for reform "if it had a chance," but "they won't stake their political careers on it..." Miller concludes her column with this telling conclusion, "More evidence, if any were needed, that in an election year, justice takes a back seat to politics."




I would add, and what year is it in the life of a politician when reelection doesn't have a significant effect in the way one votes? Politics always seems to be in the driver's seat.




Even more devastating in its criticism of government at work is the book, Tempting Faith, an inside story of political seduction, by David Kuo. Mr. Kuo, according to the jacket blurb, "came to Washington wanting us use his Chritian faith to end abortion, strengthen marriage, and help the poor."



President George W. Bush had created the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and in major speechs had promised funding and follow-through for this effort. There was honest acknowledgement of the superior effectiveness of these kinds of efforts over government run programs.




Kuo and others who joined in these concerns took the President at his word with the conviction that "he was one of them," an earnest Christian who could be trusted. Kuo, along with assistants, worked diligently in gathering grass roots support to assure that the White House and Congress would take their promises seriously and put proposals into action.




But as the process unfolded it gradually became tragically clear to Kuo that instead of "following the teachings of Jesus to serve the needy [he] found himself helping to manipulate relgious faith for political gain." The legislative process was used as a football, not to pass laws but to deepen purely symbolic fault lines. Grants were incestuously recycled to political cronies." In spite of lofty promises there was simply no attept to fund valuable programs. Even more galling key aides and Republican operative spoke of those working in the OFBCI with contempt and treated them as "useful idiots."




A clear example of religion being used for political gain cited by Kuo is the Nation Day of prayer. It's only purpose as described by Kuo is to placate Christian leadership. He says organizers such as Shirley Dobson go on radio and describe their encounter with the president and their time in the White House. "The event, however, held absolutely no significance." Congressman Tony Hall , one of the people who helped pass the bill creating the breakfast in the 1980's stopped going to the breakfasts, seeing them as worthless. One staffer called the breakfast a "Jacob and Esau thing," a reference to Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of cereal.




On his final day, Kuo delivered his resignation letter to Andy Card then summarized his experience this way. "The president had made great promses but they hadn't been delivered on. Worse than that, the White House hadn't tried. Worse than that, we had used people of faith fo further our political agenda and hadn't given them anything in return. And finally...your staff frequently refers to the faith-based initiative as the 'f*#$ing faith-based initiative.' "




The faith-based initiative may have be ill conceived or had real legal problems but it seems to me that the experience of Mr. Kuo strongly suggests that any effort that in any way even appears to compete with the prevailing priorities ofthe people in power will be given short shrift leaving the reformers with nothing but the memory of wasted time. Ultimately, where will the people in need be better served? Kuo concludes that Christians should "start with the things God has commanded us to do--pray, learn, listen him, and serve a hurting world."

Inspiration

I haven't given much thought to the phenomenon of "inspiration." I've been content to let it be a part of the origin of the scriptures and have refered to impressive programs, writings, music and worship experiences as inspirational. I've generally not delved too deeply into the role of inspiration, especially of scripture, because it seems to me some have made it into an argument to prove that all scripture is of equal value and its meaning lays on the surface because that is the way God said it


But once in a while as a preacher I have had an experience in the process of interpreting scripture that has caused me to consider more seriously the possibility of a spiritual revelation that comes from beyond my study and thought processes. It is a sudden insight that causes one to ask, "where did that come from?"

Recently I was preparing a bible study for a class at the Mennonite Retirement Community. Since it was in the Lenten season I chose a passage from Mark 10. I rather arbitrarily marked down verses 32-52, choosing a long section to make sure I wouldn't run out of material. It is an acount of Jesus traveling with the twelve disciples on his final trip to Jerusalem. There is this request from James and John to Jesus for preferential treatment when it came to upper level assignments in their version of the kingdom. Jesus counters with his probing questions which revel their ignorance of the nature of God's kingdom and concludes with the simple but profound key to greatness in that realm.

When I got to that point in my preparation I seemed to have gotten to the end of the story. In my bible there was not only a paragraph break but a dividing space of two lines which would indicate a break which would seem to say, "And now for something completely different." I read farther to make sure I had all the ends tied when it suddenly came to me that the author may have wanted to say something further about those self-seeking disciples who so brazenly angled for preferential treatment and nonchalantly answered Jesus' questions about how they would follow him.

For in the fianal paragraph of this chapter, vv. 46-52, Mark inserts the healing of the blind beggar and I suspect for good reason. It suddenly occured to me that the author wants to show the disciples for what they are, as blind as Bartimaeus, but unaware of it and certainly not willing to acknowledge it. For compare their approach to Jesus in contrast to that of Bartimaeus. "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." Bartimaeus only pleads for mercy, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"


The two requests are startling in their difference. On the one hand the disciples ask for a open ended approval of anything they ask for. And on the other Jesus asks the the beggar what he would like to have done for him. The disciples receive a rebuff for their thoughtless ambition while the humble beggar receives a life changing gift. While the disciples prove to be blind to the ways and designs of their teacher the blind beggar's eyes are opened and becomes a carrier of the evidence of the new kingdom.


Has this connection never been thought of before? Of course it has. I am only a Johnny-come-lately who catches on to the obvious rather slowly. But in that moment when the connection became clear it felt like inspiration in that I had received a gift of new understanding that was meaningful and I could pass on to others. I will need to consider further inspiration and how this is similar or different from the experience of the writers of scripture.

But for now the only response I can think of is " Thanks be to God!"

Maintaining the Peace

I over-slept this morning. I've decided I don't need an alarm and usually don't. Well, this morning I should have used one because I dozed 45 minutes too long. I raced off to my breakfast meeting and found that instead of being the first one there as I have been the last 20 years, I was the last. Had to squeeze in among the eight other breakfasters and when they looked quizzically my way I was ready.

"I decided to take a different view of the world," I explained. "this morning I even think we ought to repeal the 'health care' bill." Everyone burst out laughing. I guess coming from me that was a ridiculous streatch. I heard my friend beside me murmur, "I didn't think I would bring that up today."
He didn't and noone else did eather and we talked about real estate prices, NCAA playoff games, and the current trend to build smaller homes. It was a pleasant conversation with some good jokes thrown in for good measure.

You see, we've tried talking about politics and while noone has gotten hurt that I know of, it just seems safer to stick to non-controversial issues--the stuff we all either agree on or are not very deeply invested in. And, I suspect that as the rehetoric has heated up on the national level and in the media that we feel less comfortable identifying with one side or the other.

Of course, we know where everyone stands. I don't think I have pushed my views very hard but apparently what I think just comes through. Thus everyone thought it was out of character for me to even mention repealing the health care bill. We all respect each other for whatever view we hold and are ready to just let it be that way.

The reason I find this avoidance of issues acceptable is that in the matter of national politics what we individually hold doesn't really make any difference. If we were dealing with an issue with our life together in the church then I would find avoiding conversation unacceptable.

We will continue our Friday morning fellowship at breakfast in good spirits and even informative conversation some times even raising theological issues. Perhaps one of our more argumentive members will dare to voice a political opinion but I doubt that we will pursue it long nor in depth. And I am sure that in the mix there will be a joke or two to defuse the angst. Thus we will be a gathering of peacful people enjoying what each one brings and leaving the dead to bury their dead.

A Novel Approach

I should be clear that this post may have most interest for those who enjoy literature. Come to think of it, lovers of history might also find it tolerable. Others will likely be unimpressed. Just thought I would warn you. From here on its everyone for herself.

The book is Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. I confess I should have read it years ago. Since it wasn't specifically assigned in one of those Lit courses at Hesston College or Goshen College I just let it slide by. Such inattention was my loss. I suppose another reason I neglected Trollope as an author is that one of his contemporaries was Dickens whose novels you would have to say are more compelling in that Dickens writes about a level of society that is more earthy and the social issues he exposes are more stirring.

Trollope is called a democratic realist. The rapid scientific developments of the day has shifted attention toward the individual as a rational, responsible person with awareness of possibilities and potential. The author therefore writes with the knowledge that his audience is expanding and a growing interest and curiosity. Growing out of the puritan and reforming spirit of the eara he writes not only to entertain but to expose.

Both Trollope and Dickens were mid-Victorian. Even the name of that era can be off-putting in that, from this distance, it reeks of pretentiousness and straight laced pomposity. And, to be sure all that is there in abundance. But beneath the surface of the pretense and form there is the human spirit experiencing all the glory and pathos of life that is real and hopeful.

In Barchester Towers, which is a cathedral city in England the 1850s, Trollope explores the lives of Anglican clergy, their wives, friends and competitors as they deal with the death of the bishop. That very normal event sets in play a whole range of emotions, strategy and reactions that builds to a wonderful resolution.


But as the plot or plots unfold, I recognized three themes taken from the Victorian age that were of particular interest to me, the role of the clergy in the Church of England, gender relationships and the pervasiveness of class in many areas of life.



The Church of England and the Clergy

The devastating earlier religious wars were over although competing movements still were abroad. There were reform movements that challenged the church leaders to keep the populace faithful and the powers that be happy. There was an underlying concern that the vicars and deacons be orthodox and educated in the right schools. However with the positions in the church also went money, power and prestige. So angling for choice appointments and impressing the right people were games played with energy and skill.

With higher positions went the advantages that resulted in lavish lifestyles without commencerate responsibility so that democratic reform was not always met with enthusiasm. A vicar who found himself in line for a new appointment might informed that with the new position went a mandate to begin a Sunday school and other increased responsibilities might think twice about the need to adjust his priorities.

Gender Relationships

The very specific ways of relating between the sexes that were part of the very fabric of society were under pressure by the democratic reforms. But while there might be hints of a leveling of the old rules, the forms and formality that prevailed earlier still were firm. Nevertheless, even while adhering to the formalities ways were found to gain one's purpose. It must be said that the manuvering and subtle ways of gaining one's ends increases the complexity of plots.

Interestingly, Trollope, as well as other Victorian authors were very aware of the reader and in order to be sure to be understood and catch on the subtility of the action sometimes took time out to address the reader directly. The author describes the qualities of the character as well as his intention so that the reader misses nothing of the implications of the particular action. It can become tedious with us who are impatient to move the plot along and get to the heavy stuff. In this novel these asides to the reader seem especially necessary when it comes to the interaction of men and women when the formalities of society keep them from communicating freely.

Where such stiff rules prevail there are always those who find ways to overcome their disadvantage and win their ends. Thus Trollope places almost at the center of his plot just such a scheming woman who proves to be one of the most powerful people in the novel. But like a number of his characters the reader both loaths and cheers these people who are at the same time both manipulative and heroic. In any case the travails of men and women trying to overcome barriers and find fulfillment are at the center of this movel.

Class

Always there is class. Even among the clergy there are those who are at the top and those who are forced to take what is left. In one case there is the poor vicar who is in a small parish with a very small stipend who struggles to make ends meet in supporting a wife and fourteen children.

Outside the clergy the distictions are more marked. In events that are arranged to accomodate the whole population, they are to be entertained in different areas. It is a horrible mistake if one finds themselves in the wrong place. A host or hostess goes through great agony if there is uncertainty as to where one belongs. For example, a gentleman farmer may be judged to be a person of means and yet at the same time have a low occupation. The wife especially will be considered out of place in either.

One also must dress to fit the category to which he is assigned or in the place she appears. Thus poor people with shabby clothing or a very limited wardrobe don't have a chance to be acceptable almost anywhere. There vocabulary also sets them apart as being more crude and uneducated.

In these ways and others Trollope exposes the times in which he lives. But what he has done is to vividly describe the human condition in a period of time that proves to be commentary on every age and every era. The rules have changed and the setting is different but the same ambitions, desires and habits are present in each. In typically victorian fashion Trollope has the good people win and they prsumably live happily ever after but the trials they face and the barriers they surmount are the same. The same question hangs over the final page of Barchester Towers as over a novel by Grisham, what will be the guiding goal of life, wealth, power, and poularily or selfless service?

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way to 90

My sister Elta just turned 92. Physically she doesn't seem to have much to go on. But up until a few months ago she was mentally sharp and had a quick sense of humor that just wouldn't give up. It was fun to be around her because she was always coming up with some clever one-liner that put a cute twist on situation that some people would miss all together or take it as ocassion for a rant or a complaint.



She confided that she didn't like to be asked how she was a dozen times a day, so when someone asked her answer was, "Just like I was yesterday." And if they followed up with "And how were you yesterday," she responded, "Oh, I forget." Even some possible grim situations got turned into funny stories, especially if they were about herself.



Like the time she told me that she was leaving the dinning room in her assisted care unit and when she got to the door she discovered she was pushing her chair instead of her walker. She said, "Well, you can imagine what I did--first thing I looked all around to see if anyone was watching."



Or the time she reminisced several times about carrying a bag of popcorn which she was munching on in her room. She reached up in a cabinet to retrive something when she lost her balance, fell backward and landed sprawled out on the floor, popcorn scattered far and wide. she gradually sat up, checked out her bones and found them all still connected. Deciding she might as well redeem the time while on the floor she worked her way around picking up the corn and eating it. Eventually someone came by or she rang the bell and help arrived but she had her popcorn taken care of.



While short term memory might be a problem some long term items were readily available for retelling. Those were often the ones that drew laughter from the family whenever they were told. Like the time Mother and Dad were entertaining company in the living room when our fox terrier, Terry, came proudly trotting into the room firmly holding Mother's corset in his teeth with the strings trailing along behind, then dropping his prize grandly in the middle of the floor.



Then there was the oft told tale of Dad teaching Mother to drive the 1913 model T Ford by having her drive the contraption into the garage. His instructions were no doubt as clear as mud and with Mother's nerves as taut as a high strung violin she got the general direction perfectly but didn't get the part about the brake and took model T directly into the back wall with Dad shouting, WHOA! WHOA! Elta had a number more, some less elegant but all with that twist of hilarity.

I must have inherited some of the same interest in recalling tales of yore, at least our visits always included sessions of "Can you top this." Of course over time there was some embelishment. It just proved that Mark Twain was right when he wrote in his biography: "When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so that I can remember only those things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it."

Fortunately at this point, most of what I remember actually happened. I am sure others included in the story would remember it differently but every one had no trouble getting the humor. I was a a small boy, perhaps four or five. Dad's nephew and his new bride paid us a visit, it may have been on their honeymoon. Our small house had no extra bedrooms but there were always ways to make do. This night the newly weds were give my parents bedroom where I also slept. Dad and Mother moved upstairs and I was moved to the living room sofa. That sofa was just on the other side of the wall from the bedroom. The next morning at breakfast when everyone was assuring each other that they had a sound night of sleep, I piped up that I wondered about the sleeping part reported by our guests when "they were fighting all night." I don't remember any outright laughter but I do remember some sputtering of coffee and snorting of cereal.

Old age looks a lot better from the sunny side of the street. With a merry heart doing good like a medicine and hope I can keep a smile as my umbrella and the joy of the Lord as my strength.