We continue with the section "Beyond Charity" in William Sloane Coffin's book A Passion for the Possible.
It is very hard to convert the heart, mind, and purse. It is very hard to have possessions and not become possessive, to be completely dependent upon God and independent of everything else. So, a prophetic concern for the poor shoudl be matched by a pastoral concern for the rich. As I read the Bible, judgment against the rich spells mercy not only for the poor, but finally for the rich as well. It suggests that just as the poor should not be left at the mercy of their poverty, so the rich should not be left at the mercy of their wealth.
What a wonderful way to open up the meaning of mercy! In the end and in the beginning mercy, mercy, mercy. As for right now, let's talk and let's deal with the injustice so that a new beginning can indeed break in upon us as in Bethlehem. I've seen and heard so-called justice organizations that are so high strung on whipping the rich or the powerful that there appears to be no openness for the pastoral directives that speak mercy again and again as justice is the daily focus. The Good News is not an "us verses them" story. At times it may look like that but it continues to be and will never abandon the grace and mercy that brings all God's children to the banquet table. I think one of the greatest fears we have about the banquet table is that "they" will be there also...and we all know who "they" are. Without mercy the rich and the poor will refuse to take a seat at the table.
Connection: Let's be firm about our commitment to justice within an unjust world, but let us also be so full of mercy that people are transformed already...right now, today, by God's mercy.
Merciful Lord, as one year comes to an end and another begins make our beginnings and endings a time that reflects your mercy without end. Amen.
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