Just who would Jesus mix it up with? How far would He go – I mean where does He draw the line in who He would associate with?
This is on my mind after a week of “mixing it up” with all kinds of people – church goers, friends without homes, meth addicts, the mentally ill, Westmont friends, the Mayor…
I had a conversation with new friends from the Santa Ynez Valley. We met at a local breakfast hub. The question posed – “Would Jesus go to the casino?” If so, would He play the craps table? Would He just hang out in the front or would He enter. My answer is – yes. If love compelled Him – and He would do so in Wisdom.
We discussed the coming legality of marijuana – that the day is just around the bend. And, if it becomes “legal,” how will the church respond? If it become “LEGAL,” can a 21 year old work with youth and also grow pot plants in the back yard? Maybe it will not be necessarily in how we answer, but in how we “handle the question with others.” Will we deal with this with wisdom, or by creating a law ourselves?
How do Ghettos happen? The answer is complex, but surely part of it is that the “salt retreats from the area.” This is what I have experienced in our three initiatives – on the West Side, Pershing Park, and Elsie’s Tavern. The story is changing now as the risk takers of salt and light go back in, but surely we are returning from a vacation away.
I know that as casinos come in, another element of drugs and crime come with them – so the argument is not that you can take a realistic stand against those things which you may believe harm your community. But, on the other hand, how does a criminal change? How does someone who brings harm become someone who creates “shalom/peace?”
One answer is surely found in the gospels, as Jesus mixes it up with criminals. Remember the one who recognized Him on the cross and now lives in Paradise.
The love of God compels us toward the criminal, crazy, sick, outsider, neighbor…
I sat next to a woman this week – she was obviously gripped in mental illness on State Street. She was screaming at passers by in either anger and or a strange joy. I was waiting for friends who never showed, but realized there was another reason for being there. I witnessed a dog care for her better than myself or others. The dog would let her pet him and just looked at her with that accepting “dog face.” She said that the dog should run for president. I just sat and prayed for her and asked for peace for her mind and soul. But the dog had the knack.
That same day some of us met with the Mayor and others to talk about working together on the West Side – the potential of a new community center, and work at the Carrillo Apartments.
I am know learning that following Jesus means being willing to go from depths to heights – usually starting at depths. You can’t get to the top of the mountain without starting in the mess, and you never get to stay at the top too far from the mess. (Mark 9)
A community of Shalom is being created – and our reputation is always at stake. People will wonder why we associate with who we are friends with – we will be questioned and may in fact become questionable ourselves.
I witnessed a friend of mine at Pershing Park this Wednesday, surrounded by friends with homes – he said thanks to us for starting all this. I knew that every Wednesday night, from 5:30-7:00pm at least, he experienced love. It made me smile, in the midst of a week of madness.