August 22: Health Care For All

In looking at the Book of Ruth today and noticing the caring that transpires among
the characters of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz, it occurred to me that as Christians
this is the same ethic of caring that is involved in putting into place health care
for all in our own country. As someone said in our shared homily, when the health care discussion begins with money, that flavors the entire discussion. But when the conversation begins with caring, and connectedness, with faith and hope and believing in the mystical body of Christ, then the health care discussion proceeds into a very different discussion. Certainly a more humane one. As Christians we are called to have this clarity now.

Sojourners Magazine published "A Christan Creed on Health Care Reform." This was our second reading after the Book of Ruth. I include it here for you to read and reflect upon.

A Christian Creed on Health Care Reform: from SOJOURNERS

As one of God's children, I believe that protecting the health of each human being is a profoundly important personal and communal responsibility for people of faith.

I believe God created each person in the divine image to be spiritually and physically healthy. I feel the pain of sickness and disease in our broken world (Genesis 1:27, Romans 8:22).

I believe life and healing are core tenets of the Christian life. Christ's ministry included physical healing, and we are called to participate in God's new creation as instruments of healing and redemption (Matthew 4:23, Luke 9:1-6; Mark 7:32-35, Acts 10:38). Our nation should strive to ensure all people have access to life-giving treatments and care.

I believe, as taught by the Hebrew prophets and Jesus, that the measure of a society is seen in how it treats the most vulnerable. The current discussion about health-care reform is important for the United States to move toward a more just system of providing care to all people (Isaiah 1:16-17, Jeremiah 7:5-7, Matthew 25:31-45).

I believe that all people have a moral obligation to tell the truth. To serve the common good of our entire nation, all parties debating reform should tell the truth and refrain from distorting facts or using fear-based messaging (Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:14-15, 25; Proverbs 6:16-19).

I believe that Christians should seek to bring health and well-being (shalom) to the society into which God has placed us, for a healthy society benefits all members (Jeremiah 29:7).

I believe in a time when all will live long and healthy lives, from infancy to old age (Isaiah 65:20), and "mourning and crying and pain will be no more" (Revelation 21:4). My heart breaks for my brothers and sisters who watch their loved ones suffer, or who suffer themselves, because they cannot afford a trip to the doctor. I stand with them in their suffering.

I believe health-care reform must rest on a foundation of values that affirm each and every life as a sacred gift from the Creator (Genesis 2:7).

Amen.

August 8, Earth Wisdom Eucharist

Sophia in Trinity is beginning something new. On the second Saturday of each month, members of our community will offer the homily, which is always responded to by the entire community. On the 4th Saturday of each month, Victoria will offer the "shared homily." We hope that this will give everyone in the community an opportunity to creatively share their thoughts and visions.

Judy Liteky offered and insightful homily on August 8. She chose the theme "Earth Wisdom" from the work of Thomas Berry, and combined this with reflections from her recent trip to Paraguay. Here are a few of the key ideas that she used in her homily:

I am part of Sacred time and space
I am part of a Sacred Universe.

Thomas Berry in “The Dream of the Earth” and “The Great Work”.....
We are supported by a power, energy, a dynamism.

Being an activist with consciousness:
Women’s experience and consciousness: 1965 on with the Immaculate Heart order
Global personhood: traveling internationally from 1960 on to Europe, Asia, the Americas
Speaking and working for human rights: 1970’s on in anti-nuclear movement, Sanctuary, SOA Watch

Paraguay and Peru: sacred time and space
Zooming in to commune with the sky, land, water
Zooming out to experience a unity in the diversity
Returning to San Francisco renewed with the sense that I/we are supported by a power, energy, a dynamism and invoking this wisdom to create our future.

Evelie Posch took this theme and wove songs of Mother Earth throughout the liturgy.
As always her insights grounded and inspired our prayers.

Following the liturgy, Judy showed slides from her journey.