The Neighborhood is Changing
So, I came across an article last week that really irked me. And, a week later, I’m more and more bothered as I think about it. It also literally hits home with me, as it all takes place about 25 miles from my home in Arizona.
Click over to Read the entire article. Essentially, a judge ruled that feeding the homeless at a place of worship can be banned by city ordinance. That ruling means that CrossRoads United Methodist Church in Phoenix can no longer feed the poor on its campus. The judge stated that the church had a long history of feeding the “poor in poor neighborhoods” but the use of this property to feed the poor bused in from another place was different. The church was classified as a charity dining hall, and a charity dining hall cannot feed the poor in a residential area.
The decision follows an incident between two homeless men in which one was stabbed with an ice pick in the leg. Neighbors define the incident as a confirmation that the neighborhood, which is fairly affluent by the way, is deteriorating due to the environment and lack of safety. One neighbor is quoted by saying, “It’s very inappropriate to allow that kind of demographic to go there for one meal.”
Now I know that people want their kids to be safe. I won’t deny that. But, I think the root issues here are fear and pride. I’ve been guilty of it myself before. However, I don’t think Jesus ever had a permit to do any of the things he did while on earth. And he calls us to do the same. This situation reminded me of a quote by C.S. Lewis in The Problem with Pain….perhaps we should substitute the word “prostitutes” with “homeless.”
“Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious, the self-righteous, are in that danger.”
What are your thoughts? Is this a fair ruling?
image: sam
I saw this article the other day as well. Its so sad how we just try to sweep the ‘unpleasant scenes’ of society under a doormat, and then pretend like it doesn’t exist. I’m just as guilty as anyone else concerning this matter, but I just don’t understand what will get our eyes to open to the fact that when Jesus said to love the poor, he really meant it. And not in a figurative way.
Disturbing is an understatement, especially the resident’s statement about the “appropriateness” of the situation. What could be more appropriate? No, we’d be more comfortable helping the poor from a distance in our planned devlopments, surrounded by our Pottery Barn furniture and flat screen television sets. It’s easier to write a check and send it away. It’s more convenient for us to go to the impoverished areas and offer help, then retreat to our homes. It makes us look more novel to go to the metro area instead of inviting the hurt, hungry and homeless into our own communities. Jesus is with the poor, not in a gated community.
I’m not saying that gated communities, planned developments, or flat screen televisions are wrong. Pottery Barn may be evil, but that’s another post. What is wrong is coveting our comfort and possessions over the needs of others. I am guilty of this myself….letting fear and comfort overrule my instinct to reach out to someone in need. As a woman, should I put myself in that danger? Well, we are called to be missionaries and servants. I think if there are individuals risking their lives to bring social justice in (insert underprivilidged society here, i.e. Darfur, Rwanda, etc.) then I can accept the risk in my own life to be a part of the Body.
What is the answer? I’m not sure, but I think it’s something other than turning the poor away for the sake of our property values and safety. We need to do better. I need to do better.
Sigh.