Wholeness 4 Love

A Caution In Pursuing the Common Good

Onleilove — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:33:13 +0000

I hope all is well as we attempt to settle into spring, I wanted to share a reflection I wrote about the notion of the “Common Good”. Be Blessed!

In the Summer of 2008 I interned in Washington, D.C. at Sojourners a progressive Christian advocacy organization that focuses on economic justice, creation care and immigration issues. The founder of Sojourners Rev. Jim Wallis recently released a book on the notion of a “Common Good” and I was invited to read and respond to it earlier this week at the New York City launch. As I was thinking about the notion of a “Common Good” I started to examine if the “common good” would be good for non-white people or if we were taking the common standards, beliefs and customs of white America and making them good for all. In the post below I give a caution for pursuing the “Common Good” which was shared on Huffington Post and Sojourners: Common Good Forum. See the post below:

Social speech bubble, Cienpies Design / Shutterstock.com

Whenever I hear the term “common good” I think of Thomas Paine’s infamous pamphlet Common Sense, which challenged the British government and the royal monarchy, but did not challenge the institution of slavery. As an African-American woman I enter the common good conversation cautiously because I know that in our society we have a habit of taking what is good for Western hegemony and making it the standard for everyone else.

As we pursue the common good, let us remember what was once considered common and good during earlier points in American history: chattel slavery, indigenous genocide, and institutionalized sexism. To truly come to a common good, we need to honor a diversity of voices and challenge our assumptions about what is common and what is good. Our default is to take what is good for our culture, gender, or community and make it the common standard for all. I have experienced being invited into organizations that were aiming to do good in the world, but an expectation existed that I would be silent about my unique concerns as an African woman. I know that denying my reality can never be good for my spiritual, physical, or social well being. Read the entire post here

Filed under: Esther's Call Tagged: Advocacy, African Woman, African-American Woman, Black, Blog, Book, Christian, Common Good, Common Sense, Current Events, D.C., Faith, Huffington Post, Justice, Non-White, On God's Side, Politics, Religion, Rev. Jim Wallis, Social Justice, Society, Sojourners, Spirituality, Thomas Paine, Washington, White Priviledge, women

Lenten Reflection: God is Doing Something in the Ruins (Isaiah 61 :1-4)

Onleilove — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 01:30:25 +0000

I know this is late but I still wanted to share this reflection I wrote to encourage anyone who feels like their life, family, dreams or community is in ruins. This reflection was apart of the 40 Days of Prayer Lenten Series that Restoration Church and Metro Hope Church developed, be blessed!

– The Sistas in East Harlem

Sit in silence and read each version of the passage opening your heart to what the spirit wants to communicate to you.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] [a]and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. – Amplified Bible

The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me, because Adonai has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark; to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, restore sites long destroyed; they will renew the ruined cities, destroyed many generations ago. - Complete Jewish Bible

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. - New Revised Standard Version

During these times of economic crisis and uncertainty we hear the still voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us, urging us to see the Kingdom of God breaking into our lives. Many of us are mourning the loss of employment, the breakdown of our families, the gentrification of our communities, the gun violence that kills our youth and a host of other personal and societal ills that threaten our humanity. In spite of all these causes for mourning, today’s passage tells us that God is going to comfort ALL who mourn, not some but ALL; this means that on a personal level God will comfort you in your mourning. On a societal level we see from this passage that God wants to comfort us so that we can rise- up and rebuild the ruins of our cities. Lent is a annual season of mourning for the church but many of us live in a constant state of mourning, but the word of God promises us restoration. When God comforts us it is because our healing is important and because God wants to use us to help rebuild someone else or even an entire community. Isaiah 61 declares that God has a plan for cities, not in spite of the challenges faced in these communities but because of them. All over New York City I see God doing something in the ruins: faith leaders gathering to advocate for our youth, urban gardens providing vegetables in food deserts, Christians taking to the streets to serve the homeless, public art gracing formerly barren streets and a host of other actions large and small that are rebuilding our cities.

Will we give God our mourning so that it can be replaced with the call to rebuild our communities? Will we give God the ashes of our lives so that we can receive divine beauty? Will we be honest with God about the faint state of our spirits so that we can receive the song of praise? The choice is ours. We do not have to be perfect to be rebuilders of our cities; all we have to do is be willing to give our mourning, ashes and faint spirits to God. Transparency is the key to healing ourselves and rebuilding our communities, take time to be honest with God today and see the Spirit heal and use you in a mighty way tomorrow.

For more information about how God can use mourning in your life read Good Grief by Granger E. Westberg

March 17 @ Isaiah 56-61 (phyllisbenigas.wordpress.com)
Captivating: Chapter 6 – Healing the Wound – Hemmed In (Pgs 92-98) (girlfriendscoffeehour.com)
Beauty from Ashes (brianotte.com)

Filed under: Esther's Call Tagged: Beauty, Beauty for Ashes, Bronx, Cities, Devotional, East New York, Faith, God, Healing, Hebrew Israelites, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Isaiah, Isaiah 61:1-4, Israelites, Lent, Lenten, Metro Hope Church, New York, New York City, NYC, Oaks of Righteousness, Reflection, Restoration Church, Resurrection, Ruins, Spirit, Spirituality

They Found Everything As Jesus Told Them It Would Be

Onleilove — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:53:20 +0000

Mark 14:12-21

12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ 13So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 15He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’16So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ 19They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’ 20He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’

Reflection by Onleilove Alston

Often when I have a need, I worry, fret, and plan though I know God’s word tells me “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to God” ( Philippians 4:6). But like the disciples, I have a relationship with Jesus. Yet I still struggle with trusting that he will meet all my needs. Countless times throughout the Gospels we see the Disciples struggle with trusting Jesus – Thomas who demanded a sign, Peter who stepped out on faith to walk on water but then denied knowing Jesus, even Mary and Martha felt Jesus was late when it came to their brother Lazarus.

Like the disciples, we all struggle with trusting that God will be there for us especially in uncertain times. In today’s passage, we do not see Jesus frantically trying to find a place for his last earthly Passover. To the contrary, he calmly gives the disciples directions – trusting that the God who led him would also provide him with a place to commune with his disciples one last time.

What strikes me about this passage is Jesus’ calm about the entire situation; even his impending betrayal and death. We should note that finding a place to have Passover dinner after the holiday has started was probably a daunting task. We should also note that Jesus knew his fate and yet instead of panicking or lashing out at Judas Jesus trusted that God’s plans for his life would be accomplished.

Personally, I wish I had such grace under fire. Yet I trust that when my personal grace is low and my anxiety is high, the Holy Spirit can fill me with peace that surpasses all understanding. Of course, a room was prepared for the disciples to celebrate Passover and all they needed was provided for, just as Jesus said.

Sadly, the story does not end with a beautiful Passover meal but with the predicted betrayal of Judas. Could the betrayal of Judas be connected to a lack of trust in God’s provision? Maybe lost faith that Israel would ever be redeemed from oppression by a Messiah, especially one that walked in the peculiar way of peace. These doubts may have caused Judas to betray Jesus for something he could see – 30 pieces of silver because he could not readily see the kingdom of God.

When times are tough, aren’t we all tempted to rush ahead for relief we can see with our eyes versus the promises of God that we have yet to see? This passage reminds me that when I trust God, I will experience calm during the storm. I am also reminded that when I let fear and doubt rule my heart, I am in danger of betraying the promises of God for a temporary fix.

During this Lenten season, I would encourage us as a congregation and as individuals to offer our fears and needs to God. May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to trust that “God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.” (Philippians 4:19-20)
Prayer

Dear God, may you give us a childlike trust in you. Give us grace under pressure. Help us to trust that your word is true and will come to pass in our lives. Give us a divine revelation of your love. Amen.

You’re Probably More Like Judas Than You Think (christianitytoday.com)
Betrothal and Betrayal (rugglesferrymbc.wordpress.com)

Filed under: Esther's Call Tagged: Anxiety, Bible, Black Jesus, Devotional, Dinner, Disciples, Easter, Faith, God, Gospel of Mark, Gospels, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lent, Mark 14:12-21, Messiah, Passover, Resurrection Sunday, The Last Supper, Trust, Worry, Yahshua, Yahweh

Connecting the Dots: Hurricane Sandy, Climate Change & Poverty

Onleilove — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:06:08 +0000

This article was originally published in the April 2013 Issue of Sojourners Magazine.

Image: Hurricane collage, Amir Ridhwan / Shutterstock.com

OVER THE PAST few years, we have seen tangible proof that creation is terribly off balance. Global warming is causing droughts and heat waves around the world and is making hurricanes more powerful. In my hometown of New York City, we have experienced the effects of severe weather: Hurricane Irene in 2011 and, most recently, the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Sandy was an eye-opening demonstration that climate change is a poverty issue, a race issue, and an immigration issue.

Though neighborhoods of all socioeconomic statuses were affected by Sandy, poorer communities are taking longer to recover. Many of them were without electricity, heat, and water longer than were more affluent communities. For instance, residents of Red Hook’s public housing projects in Brooklyn were without power and water for two weeks after the storm. My cousin Dabriah Alston, a Red Hook resident, told me that the city ignored residents’ repeated requests for information about when the heat would come back on: “The bottom line is, they don’t care about us. Projects are filled with poor folk, and as we all know, the poor are seldom a priority.”

Read the Entire Article Here

Study: ‘Katrina-Like’ Hurricanes to Occur More Frequently Due to Warming (usnews.com)
Red Hook Community Unites in Recovery After Hurricane Sandy (theepochtimes.com)
[OPINION] Hurricane Sandy And Climate Change? (njtoday.net)

Filed under: Esther's Call Tagged: Brooklyn, Christianity, Classism, Climate Change, Creation Care, Environmental Justice, Environmental Racism, Faith, Far Rockaway, Global warming, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, Immigrants, Immigration, Immigration Reform, New York, New York City, NYCHA, People of Faith, Poor, Poverty, Public Housing, Race, Racism, Red Hook, Red Hook Projects, Sandy, Service, Social Justice, Superstorm, The Projects, Truth

A POEM: GO WITH THE FLOW

Onleilove — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 01:14:38 +0000

Reblogged from Street Poets Artistry Collective: Street Poets NYC:

I thought it would be dope to write a Poem.

I thought it would be even more dope if we all wrote the Poem.

Here are two lines to begin with, and EVERY POET, LYRICIST, or WRITER who graces this page will add TWO MORE LINES!!

Before you know we will have created a poem. A GREAT Poem. A Powerful Poem.

Marcus Garvey

Onleilove — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:07:00 +0000

Reblogged from Pan-African-Quotes:

"The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness"

A New Store: UrbanFire Organic Products

Onleilove — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:11:54 +0000

Reblogged from diaryofanegress:

I went to the bank to apply for a business loan. Despite having stellar credit, I was denied. After looking into the face of the loan officer and seeing her joy at my disappointment, I trudged home with a heavy heart. On the way home, I looked at my neighbourhood filled with shops that carried "black products" but were run by non-black and white people.

Sunday March 10, 2013: Don't Miss The Annual Women's Her Story Month Celebration

Onleilove — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:01:04 +0000

Reblogged from Abundance Child™:

Sunday March 10, 2013: Annual Women's Her Story Month Celebration @ Nicholas Brooklyn Featuring Mother & Healer Annette Thomas, Sister Ma-jade, Dr. Makeda Judge, Sis. Kufunya, Sis. Ebony Knight and Hosted by Empress Jameelah

>Invisible Black Girl 4. The Shy Black Girl/ The Standoffish Girl

Onleilove — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:52:17 +0000

Reblogged from Thoughts on Black Femininity:

With images abound of the confident, ball busting, "I know I'm foine!", boisterous black woman to relay the point that we are not sensitive nor vulnerable to nagging feelings of insecurity as ALL women are, most people cannot fathom that many of us are genuinely shy. We do not party, because we have social anxiety, we're used to not fitting in, and of course, we're used to catcalls saying "smile baby".

How Hurricane Sandy Changed My Life

Onleilove — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:13:41 +0000

Reblogged from the dream girl blog:

It’s taken months for me to process her. And truth be told I’m still feeling her remnants daily, albeit subconsciously. When news reports told of her forthcoming rage we mocked them. We had survived poverty, an earthquake, and a neighborhood that was reminiscent of a war torn country. Surely this single insignificant occurrence wouldn't be the cause of our demise. We were to find that fated October evening that we were wrong.

Wholeness 4 Love

A Caution In Pursuing the Common Good

Lenten Reflection: God is Doing Something in the Ruins (Isaiah 61 :1-4)

Related articles

They Found Everything As Jesus Told Them It Would Be

Related articles

Connecting the Dots: Hurricane Sandy, Climate Change & Poverty

Related articles

A POEM: GO WITH THE FLOW

I thought it would be dope to write a Poem.

I thought it would be even more dope if we all wrote the Poem.

Here are two lines to begin with, and EVERY POET, LYRICIST, or WRITER who graces this page will add TWO MORE LINES!!

Marcus Garvey

A New Store: UrbanFire Organic Products

Sunday March 10, 2013: Don't Miss The Annual Women's Her Story Month Celebration

>Invisible Black Girl 4. The Shy Black Girl/ The Standoffish Girl

How Hurricane Sandy Changed My Life