Sunday, May 1, 2016: We Are the Church: For Our World
John 9:1-7 CEB
Marysville UMC
Pastor Jenny Smith
I’ve always wondered how my kids would experience the difference in people’s skin color as they grew up. One day, my daughter was telling a story and mentioned, “the black guy was there.” I asked her to tell me more and she said, “Mom, the guy had a black shirt on.”
Talking about race, the color of our skin, is uncomfortable. I’m not looking forward to the day my daughter learns of our country’s history when it involves the color of our skin. Our church tells our children that all people are equal, that we’re all made in the image of God. And then we send them into a world where that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Yesterday, there was a gathering in Seattle to talk about privilege, racism and reconciliation. One person shared, “People of color are uncomfortable every day, all day long. What are we asking for? That you get a little uncomfortable too (LueRachelle Brim-Atkins).”
Today we’re talking about what it means to be the church for our world. The world needs the church, more than ever before, to have these hard conversations.
So here we go.
I don’t know how to talk or write or process something that is on one hand, right in front of me, but on the other hand, is buried so far deep down within me that I can’t even put language to it. It is a way of being in our world that was here before I arrived. It’s a reality I move in every day without being aware of it. So it’s fairly easy to ignore. It pops up to the surface for a couple days when an issue of racial injustice grabs the headlines. I rant and point my finger at “those people” who still don’t get that we’re all equal in the eyes of God. I want to feel righteous, like I’m on the “right” side of this fight.
But deep down, I have this nagging sense that I’m still part of the problem. Because until I’m willing, and you’re willing, to dig deep and bring up the realities that we rarely name or acknowledge, privilege will continue.
Brene Brown, a researcher and author says privilege means access, resources, rights and special treatment that are not earned but granted to us solely based on our membership in a specific group.
A couple months ago, I came across an article on NPR about Seattle-based rapper, Macklemore’s latest song called, “White Privilege, part II.” I looked up the lyrics and listened along. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to step into the worldview of my brothers and sisters of another color. The lyrics come from a white perspective....
a lot of opinions, a lot of confusion, a lot of resentment
Some of us scared, some of us defensive
And most of us aren't even paying attention
It seems like we're more concerned with being called racist
Than we actually are with racism
I've heard that silences are action and God knows that I've been passive
What if I actually read a article, actually had a dialogue
Actually looked at myself, actually got involved?
If I'm aware of my privilege and do nothing at all, I don't know
....
But the one thing the American dream fails to mention
Is I was many steps ahead to begin with
....
The best thing white people can do is talk to each other.
And having those very difficult, very painful conversations with your parents, with your family members.
I think one of the critical questions for white people in this society is what are you willing to risk,
What are you willing to sacrifice to create a more just society?
...
Then a woman’s voice started to softly sing: “Your silence is a luxury.”
Our silence is a luxury.
As long as we can choose not to pay attention, we have privilege.
Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, brings the larger issue to light: “White privilege is largely hidden from our eyes if we are white. Why? Because it is structural instead of psychological, and we tend to interpret most things in personal, individual, and psychological ways. Since we do not consciously have racist attitudes or overt racist behavior, we kindly judge ourselves to be open minded, egalitarian, "liberal," and therefore surely not racist. Because we have never been on the other side, we largely do not recognize the structural access, the trust we think we deserve, the assumption that we always belong and do not have to earn our belonging, the "we set the tone" mood that we white folks live inside of — and take totally for granted. Only the outsider can spot all these attitudes in us. It is especially hidden in countries and all groupings where white people are the majority (Rohr).”
Rev. Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow was a new student at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. She writes well about spending 4 years at a conservative evangelical college and being so excited to step into a mainline, “liberal” setting. She writes, “In seminary, I realized that even while White people were inviting me to a seat at the table, they still held on to the notion that they got to invite me into that space.” She goes on to say, “For white people, it’s not about whether or not one considers oneself to be ‘racist.’ Whether or not you choose to participate in in the system overtly, if you are a white person, you benefit from [the way things are]. That’s what white privilege is about.”
There’s an African proverb, “It is harder to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep than someone who really is asleep.” I’m starting to realize more and more that I’m pretending to be asleep when it comes to race in our country. I may have been asleep on it for a while, but now I’m pretending. And it’s not right. It’s not okay.
If we are to be the church for our world, then our voice must match the gospel we believe to be true.
With this framework, we now come to a story in the book of John.
John 9:1-7: As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents. This happened so that God’s mighty works might be displayed in him. 4 While it’s daytime, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After he said this, he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smeared the mud on the man’s eyes. 7 Jesus said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (this word means sent). So the man went away and washed. When he returned, he could see.
A couple reflections from this story, in light of our conversation today.
In what ways are we blind to our privilege?
The man in the story was born blind. In what ways are we born blind?
In an 1989 article, Harry Brod, writes, “We need to be clear that there is no such thing as giving up one’s privilege to be ‘outside’ the system. One is always in the system. The only question is whether one is part of the system in a way that challenges or strengthens the status quo. Privilege is not something I take and which therefore have the option of not taking. It is something that society gives me, and unless I change the institutions which give it to me, they will continue to give it, and I will continue to have it, however noble my intentions.”
In what ways are we blind to the privilege of our entire structure? Once we bring this to the surface of our awareness, we can look on the movements in our day to day lives with new eyes. Then our actions can change.
Everyday things can heal.
Jesus gives us sight.
So where do we go from here? From all my research and reading, one theme rose to the top.
Deray McKesson, one of the faces of the Black Lives Matter movement, has argued that Macklemore’s song we mentioned earlier does exactly what lots of people say they want more of in conversations about race — that is, “it would be great if more white folks actively engaged in uncomfortable conversations about race with each other (NPR article).”
Rohr reminds us, “Education about white privilege is the best doorway to help those of us who think we are not racists to recognize that structurally and often unconsciously we still are. Our easy advancement was too often at the cost of others not advancing at all. Power never surrenders without a fight. If your entire life has been to live unquestioned in your position of power--a power that was culturally given to you, but you think you earned--there is almost no way you will give it up without major failure, suffering, humiliation, or defeat.”
Christena Cleveland: Through the process of reconciliation, two groups that were once alienated from each other begin to identify with each other and stand in solidarity. This is a tall order! In a world that is plagued by racial division and inequality, reconciliation requires a profound change in the way we interact with each other. Groups that are accustomed to having little firsthand knowledge of each other must learn to not only know each other, but identify with each other (Christena Cleveland).
Do we believe reconciliation is possible? Our Gospel says it is. Our God says it is. Deep down in our soul, we know it is. So we keep coming to this table, time after time, proclaiming in God’s kingdom, we are equal. And if that means some of us need to step aside, dig deep and do some work, then so be it.
Nadia Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran priest, once said, “Never once did Jesus scan the room for the best example of holy living and send that person out to tell others about him. He always sent stumblers and sinners. I find that comforting.”
Our work together continues, my friends. Amen.
John 9:1-7 CEB
Marysville UMC
Pastor Jenny Smith
I’ve always wondered how my kids would experience the difference in people’s skin color as they grew up. One day, my daughter was telling a story and mentioned, “the black guy was there.” I asked her to tell me more and she said, “Mom, the guy had a black shirt on.”
Talking about race, the color of our skin, is uncomfortable. I’m not looking forward to the day my daughter learns of our country’s history when it involves the color of our skin. Our church tells our children that all people are equal, that we’re all made in the image of God. And then we send them into a world where that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Yesterday, there was a gathering in Seattle to talk about privilege, racism and reconciliation. One person shared, “People of color are uncomfortable every day, all day long. What are we asking for? That you get a little uncomfortable too (LueRachelle Brim-Atkins).”
Today we’re talking about what it means to be the church for our world. The world needs the church, more than ever before, to have these hard conversations.
So here we go.
I don’t know how to talk or write or process something that is on one hand, right in front of me, but on the other hand, is buried so far deep down within me that I can’t even put language to it. It is a way of being in our world that was here before I arrived. It’s a reality I move in every day without being aware of it. So it’s fairly easy to ignore. It pops up to the surface for a couple days when an issue of racial injustice grabs the headlines. I rant and point my finger at “those people” who still don’t get that we’re all equal in the eyes of God. I want to feel righteous, like I’m on the “right” side of this fight.
But deep down, I have this nagging sense that I’m still part of the problem. Because until I’m willing, and you’re willing, to dig deep and bring up the realities that we rarely name or acknowledge, privilege will continue.
Brene Brown, a researcher and author says privilege means access, resources, rights and special treatment that are not earned but granted to us solely based on our membership in a specific group.
A couple months ago, I came across an article on NPR about Seattle-based rapper, Macklemore’s latest song called, “White Privilege, part II.” I looked up the lyrics and listened along. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to step into the worldview of my brothers and sisters of another color. The lyrics come from a white perspective....
a lot of opinions, a lot of confusion, a lot of resentment
Some of us scared, some of us defensive
And most of us aren't even paying attention
It seems like we're more concerned with being called racist
Than we actually are with racism
I've heard that silences are action and God knows that I've been passive
What if I actually read a article, actually had a dialogue
Actually looked at myself, actually got involved?
If I'm aware of my privilege and do nothing at all, I don't know
....
But the one thing the American dream fails to mention
Is I was many steps ahead to begin with
....
The best thing white people can do is talk to each other.
And having those very difficult, very painful conversations with your parents, with your family members.
I think one of the critical questions for white people in this society is what are you willing to risk,
What are you willing to sacrifice to create a more just society?
...
Then a woman’s voice started to softly sing: “Your silence is a luxury.”
Our silence is a luxury.
As long as we can choose not to pay attention, we have privilege.
Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, brings the larger issue to light: “White privilege is largely hidden from our eyes if we are white. Why? Because it is structural instead of psychological, and we tend to interpret most things in personal, individual, and psychological ways. Since we do not consciously have racist attitudes or overt racist behavior, we kindly judge ourselves to be open minded, egalitarian, "liberal," and therefore surely not racist. Because we have never been on the other side, we largely do not recognize the structural access, the trust we think we deserve, the assumption that we always belong and do not have to earn our belonging, the "we set the tone" mood that we white folks live inside of — and take totally for granted. Only the outsider can spot all these attitudes in us. It is especially hidden in countries and all groupings where white people are the majority (Rohr).”
Rev. Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow was a new student at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. She writes well about spending 4 years at a conservative evangelical college and being so excited to step into a mainline, “liberal” setting. She writes, “In seminary, I realized that even while White people were inviting me to a seat at the table, they still held on to the notion that they got to invite me into that space.” She goes on to say, “For white people, it’s not about whether or not one considers oneself to be ‘racist.’ Whether or not you choose to participate in in the system overtly, if you are a white person, you benefit from [the way things are]. That’s what white privilege is about.”
There’s an African proverb, “It is harder to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep than someone who really is asleep.” I’m starting to realize more and more that I’m pretending to be asleep when it comes to race in our country. I may have been asleep on it for a while, but now I’m pretending. And it’s not right. It’s not okay.
If we are to be the church for our world, then our voice must match the gospel we believe to be true.
With this framework, we now come to a story in the book of John.
John 9:1-7: As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents. This happened so that God’s mighty works might be displayed in him. 4 While it’s daytime, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After he said this, he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smeared the mud on the man’s eyes. 7 Jesus said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (this word means sent). So the man went away and washed. When he returned, he could see.
A couple reflections from this story, in light of our conversation today.
In what ways are we blind to our privilege?
The man in the story was born blind. In what ways are we born blind?
In an 1989 article, Harry Brod, writes, “We need to be clear that there is no such thing as giving up one’s privilege to be ‘outside’ the system. One is always in the system. The only question is whether one is part of the system in a way that challenges or strengthens the status quo. Privilege is not something I take and which therefore have the option of not taking. It is something that society gives me, and unless I change the institutions which give it to me, they will continue to give it, and I will continue to have it, however noble my intentions.”
In what ways are we blind to the privilege of our entire structure? Once we bring this to the surface of our awareness, we can look on the movements in our day to day lives with new eyes. Then our actions can change.
Everyday things can heal.
- The healing power of clay made with spit was a popular element in healing stories in the Greco-Roman world. Mark has Jesus use spit and clay in other healings as well (7:33 and 8:23).
- Did you notice the blind man never asked to be healed? He knew he was blind but we don’t see him begging on the side of the road for Jesus to heal him. Jesus decides to heal him because “God’s mighty work would be displayed in him.”
- The same is available to you and to me. I am often blind to my own privilege. I often don’t see the system as unfair. Which means I’m not standing on the side of the road begging Jesus to heal me. But Jesus still can. With ordinary things like honest conversation, building new relationships, deep listening, letting go of assumptions, being curious. Everyday things can heal. Even clay and water.
Jesus gives us sight.
- This is what Jesus does - in the Bible - today - throughout history - “I was blind, but now I see.” Jesus gives us sight - he helps us see what’s under all our fear, uncertainty, confusion, anger and complete lack of awareness at times.
So where do we go from here? From all my research and reading, one theme rose to the top.
Deray McKesson, one of the faces of the Black Lives Matter movement, has argued that Macklemore’s song we mentioned earlier does exactly what lots of people say they want more of in conversations about race — that is, “it would be great if more white folks actively engaged in uncomfortable conversations about race with each other (NPR article).”
Rohr reminds us, “Education about white privilege is the best doorway to help those of us who think we are not racists to recognize that structurally and often unconsciously we still are. Our easy advancement was too often at the cost of others not advancing at all. Power never surrenders without a fight. If your entire life has been to live unquestioned in your position of power--a power that was culturally given to you, but you think you earned--there is almost no way you will give it up without major failure, suffering, humiliation, or defeat.”
Christena Cleveland: Through the process of reconciliation, two groups that were once alienated from each other begin to identify with each other and stand in solidarity. This is a tall order! In a world that is plagued by racial division and inequality, reconciliation requires a profound change in the way we interact with each other. Groups that are accustomed to having little firsthand knowledge of each other must learn to not only know each other, but identify with each other (Christena Cleveland).
Do we believe reconciliation is possible? Our Gospel says it is. Our God says it is. Deep down in our soul, we know it is. So we keep coming to this table, time after time, proclaiming in God’s kingdom, we are equal. And if that means some of us need to step aside, dig deep and do some work, then so be it.
Nadia Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran priest, once said, “Never once did Jesus scan the room for the best example of holy living and send that person out to tell others about him. He always sent stumblers and sinners. I find that comforting.”
Our work together continues, my friends. Amen.
