A Church for the Outcasts

I am writing this article on Christmas Day from the family violence shelter where I work . When I’ve told people I would be working the morning of Christmas Day, many have made comments about how unfortunate that is. And while it is true that it would be nice to spend actual Christmas morning with my own family, I also do not have many regrets about working today. As I pass by our clients this morning and wish them a Merry Christmas, I am reminded that it is so easy for our society to neglect those on the margins.

I was recently discussing with one of my colleagues how we don’t get many requests at Family Abuse Center for presentations during December. I joked it was because no one wanted to think about depressing things like domestic violence and abuse during this time of year that is filled with lights, carols, and cookies. But, I believe there is some truth to that comment. And perhaps we should do more reflection on these topics, especially at this time of year.

The truth is not everyone can celebrate the holidays with their families, and some don’t even have families to celebrate with. The mothers and women at our shelter here won’t be spending their Christmas with parents, siblings, or other relatives. Some of them don’t even have any real family to speak of.

And yet, I am observing something beautiful this morning. Although placed in less than ideal circumstances, these women and children are becoming family to each other. They are joking and laughing with each other. Kids are playing with new toys thanks to the generosity of countless community members who donated gifts this year. We even busted out Legos and games for the adult clients to play with.

And I’m reminded that this perhaps is a better reflection of Christmas than all the lights, sights, and smells. Christmas is not about spending time with family, per se. It’s about a King who called us all together as family. It’s not about gifts or shiny trinkets, it’s about a Savior who was born for the lowly, poor, and broken.

As we begin this new year, I pray that the church would remember this truth. As she marches out from Christmas, may her feet find themselves situated in the footsteps of a Lord who remembered the outcasts of this world. May she love the loveless and downtrodden. And may Christians not just do these things when it is convenient for us, but also when it costs us something. May we have the mind of Christ every day of the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Whom are We Goring?

In Exo. 21:28-32, the Israelite law gives some stipulations about what to do when an ox "gores" a human being to death. According to the text, if it is a first time occurrence, then only the ox is to be put to death. However, if the ox has a habit of attacking people that the owner is aware of, then the owner is also to be killed if that ox gores a person to death.

It is interesting that the law codes of Hammurabi also contain passages about ox gorings. Apparently people must have enjoyed taunting oxen or something for this to be a common enough problem to write laws about it. But, nonetheless, when we compare the Exodus text with Hammurabi's laws, it is interesting that the cost to the owner differs. With the Mesopotamian texts, all that is required of an owner is a payment of money to the family of the victim. However, in Exodus, the cost is heightened as it will cost the owner his very life if he acts with negligence. Thus, it might be reasonable to argue here, given the Israelites were probably familiar with other ancient law codes and ethics, that they are also stating something about the character of YHWH. In particular, YHWH very much takes the issue of human life seriously. It is no small matter when a person gets killed. Thus, if the guilty party had prior knowledge that could have prevented the death, it is not something that a payment of money will sufficiently cover. The guilty person's life is required. Thus, God establishes the importance of human life even through a seemingly ordinary rule.

However, as we look at our own lives, I wonder if we face some of the same issues as Israel here. In particular, do we have the same high view of human life, or are we willing to throw away lives when it is convenient for us? In other words, what "oxen" do we use and employ that have a tendency to "gore" others? For example, when we use certain products, such as coffee, do we end up using and supporting "ox" companies that abuse and "gore" employees, particularly those in less fortunate situations. And while perhaps we can be excused based on ignorance like the ox owner whose ox kills a person for the first time, what does it say about us when we do have knowledge of "gorings" and still choose not to act to defend those who are injured in the process? Do we choose our own comfort and convenience over even human life? Do we put up with sweatshops and corruption when it makes our life easier or cheaper? It seems to me that if we worship  the God who places great value on human life and dignity that we cannot make such a choice in good conscience.