Up a Tree: Word Shop Newsletter March 2008

The difficulty in making significant progress with the complex issues we face, is that we are in collusion with the oppressors. Like Zacchaeus who collected taxes from his people for the Roman occupation, we are trying to carve out a living in the midst of a less then ideal situation. Most of us would be totally in favor of medical care for everyone, living wages for workers, adequate housing for all, welcoming immigrants, peace at home and abroad etc., as long as it didn't negatively impact our personal medical care, wages, prices, housing, schools, hospitals, streets.....

Again, like Zacchaeus, we are small of stature; often feeling unable to do anything about the sticky webs of corporate and governmental power. We make use of what we can, grumble about the rest and cast aspersions on our leaders' inept solutions. We know that we are richer than most, eating well, sleeping comfortably, not subject to the degrading and grinding poverty experienced by millions. But on a daily basis we each fight great battles, expending so much energy getting through the day that little is left for issues beyond our grasp or for people we don't even know.

Like Zaccheaus, we are up a tree.

Interestingly, Jesus' response to Zacchaeus was not to berate him for being in the same camp as the oppressors, but rather to invite himself over for dinner. The result was a change of heart, recompense for victims and significant resources for the poor. Is it possible that little folks like you and I could impact the huge, unwieldy monsters that threaten us by the simple act of eating with Jesus? Is it possible for salvation to come to our house?

"Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good." II Chron. 19:11

I was in the throes of reading Doing Faithjustice by Fred Kammer when I got sidetracked into You are the Message by Roger Ailes. Doing Faithjustice is a boring, ponderous tromp through a hundred years of papal encyclicals and Bishopric statements on "Catholic Social Thought." It's the sort of book no one would read unless they had to for a class--and my guess is that at least half the class won't make it through either. Very irritating when there are all sorts of books out there that might actually be helpful to people concerned with working toward a better world. My favorite to date is Good News about Injustice by Gary Haugen, founder of the International Justice Mission. I especially appreciated Gary's analysis of the layers of influence in a community that tolerates injustice. Maybe a good rule of thumb for me is to never read a book that has "An Introduction to..." in the subtitle. However, I must admit that the upside of slogging through a hundred years of pontification is the reminder that social consciousness constantly evolves. It's easy to harshly judge historical people by assuming everyone in previous years had the benefit of our current point of view.

"The dust of exploded beliefs may make a fine sunset." -Geoffrey Madan

You are the Message was a lovely two-day break. Roger Ailes is a hot speech coach who has been a consultant to Presidents, CEO's and celebrities. His book is a nice blend of specific speaking techniques and general inspiration. My Toastmaster experience has convinced me that a large part of a speaker's growth is gaining comfort with who you are onstage--and letting go of that inner picture of the suave someone else, which you think you should be. I suppose that part of the reason this book was such a relief in the midst of all that "social thought" is that helping others become better communicators, along with getting better myself, is something I can actually accomplish. (I haven't been asked to write any papal encyclicals lately.) You Are the Message was donated to the Toastmasters Division A contest coming up on April 12. So if you want it, you'll have to buy a raffle ticket--or order a copy.

On April 12, I'll be at an Order of St. Luke Healing Mission in Salinas doing a workshop, God Talks, and waving around my book, Using the Word. This event begins at 7:00 pm on Friday, April 11 at St. George's and continues through Saturday afternoon. The Friday evening speaker is Rev. Ray Hess with the theme, Healing with Heart. The Order of St. Luke Healing Missions are always a sweet blend of worship, speakers, prayer and workshops. Check out the February 2006 newsletter archived at companyofsaints.com for a taste from one year's gathering. Brochures for April's Mission are available at The Word Shop.

"The hardest-learned lesson: that people have only their kind of love to give, not our kind." -Mignon McLaughlin

Meanwhile, we just got a donation of 12 boxes of books from a pastor's library, plus several boxes of classic & modern literature, 2 new floor to ceiling bookshelves, and now Susan has ideas about painting the walls. I'm reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Time($3). I think it's time to go on vacation.

"All living souls welcome whatever they are ready to cope with; all else they ignore, or pronounce to be monstrous and wrong, or deny to be possible." -George Santayana

One Easter years ago, my teenage son and his friend, who were hiding eggs for the church Easter egg hunt, approached me with the idea of hiding one in the communion chalice to be discovered at the height of the upcoming service. Would this be good fun or utter blasphemy? After a few moment's consideration I weighed in on the side of good fun. I was honored that they asked me, and no doubt heavily influenced by their sparkling eyes. When the priest, who was a good egg, uncovered the chalice, he did a subtle but very satisfying 'take' for the grinning faces at the rear of the church, tipped the cup so the assisting priest could also raise an arch eyebrow, and then suavely rolled the egg onto the altar without missing a beat or tearing the decorum of the high and holy moment. Since then, eggs and jelly beans have shown up in surprising places during the Easter services, a tradition which continues even though the first boys are long since grown and gone.

In the many resurrection stories, Jesus also shows up in surprising places; a tradition that continues through the generations and across multiple cultural divides. Often he appears with sparkling eyes and a waiting grin, hoping you will join in the good fun. I hope you will, too.

Blessings,
Alliee +

PS Lower Room Prayer is my annual attempt to do a weekly hour of prayer at The Word Shop. Come join me 11:00 am on Tuesdays between Easter and Pentecost.

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