It’s been a good writing month for me. Here are my latest articles, a Tikkun piece on how our image of God affects our position on health care reform, and a Philadelphia Daily News essay that grew out of the melted ice cream cake blog post. I also had a slide show posted on Beliefnet. I’m remembering only a few years ago when I was publishing an average of an article every year or two, so this is pretty fun.
Thank you for such a thoughtful article. I’ve linked to it through my LiveJournal, with commentary:
What strikes me is the merit in both viewpoints. Personal responsibility and initiative (hence, valuing government letting people make their own choices) can be a very good thing. I think there are areas — like relationships, sexual conduct, speech — where government has no business. Where does ‘caring for one’s neighbor’ stop and managing that person’s life begin?
I notice my own reactions when a street person asks me for money. Part of me says, "Don’t give him cash, he might spend it on drugs." Another part says, "Accord him the dignity of making his own decisions." Then the first part says, "I don’t want to contribute to behavior that might kill him." "Who are you to judge? Maybe this is just what he needs to ‘hit bottom’ and turn his life around. And maybe he really is just hungry or in need of bus fare."
Some thoughts that help me through this: one is that a kind word and direct eye contact, while perhaps more difficult than simply shoving a dollar into his hand, are more meaningful. This is a human being, to be treated with respect and compassion. If I cannot "spare" some change, I can give him a minute of my undivided attention, to be as present and caring as I can. This demands that I tell the truth, especially about my own boundaries.
Another response is to say, "I’m not comfortable giving you money, but I can buy you a meal." And then let him select what he wants. Obviously, there needs to be a restaurant or food cart nearby, and there usually is, and a minimum amount of time. But if I’m feeling rushed or late, maybe I need to examine my priorities. My day may be filled with chores to be done, none of them very consequential, but only one opportunity such as this.
Eileen’s article was published in the magazine Tikkun, from the Hebrew "tikkun olam" — "repairing the world." Repairing, one little bit at a time, sorrow and want, injustice and despair. I get to do that? What a gift.
Thank you Deborah, for your thoughtful response. I agree that there personal responsibility is important. It’s just when that becomes an excuse not to have compassion that the concept bothers me. I also appreciate your response to the person asking for money. On a few occasions, I have taken the route you suggest and bought someone food, but there have been plenty of other times when I was running for the train (sometimes to pick up my kids, which is important, other times for less important reasons) and just kept going. It is hard to be present to others at all times, but you’re right that when we get to participate in tikkun olam it is a gift.