Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Reread
Mark 11:15-19
On this day in history -
1970 - Cesar Chavez jailed for 20
days for refusing to call off United Farm Workers lettuce boycott.
As a result of Jesus' actions and teachings about prayer we hear
about the religious leaders and important people plotting to
have him killed.
Religious leaders by their silence and important people protecting
their perceived bottom-line were responsible for the poverty
and death of farm workers over many years. Cesar Chavez entered
the temple of capitalism to remind it of its responsibilities
to all the people, including migrant field workers (people are
not made for capitalism, but capitalism is made for some people).
As a consequence, the powers that be tried to get rid of Cesar.
The jailing remembered on this day was just one of the tactics
used to attempt to discredit Cesar and his nonviolent approach
to changing the world.
A key to the movement for dignity among farm workers was Cesar's
fasts. This was his way of throwing out the moneychangers. Listen
to what he has to say about fasting and see if that is not still
a powerful tool for those of us who follow John Wesley's methods
of spiritual growth. Listen to Cesar and hear Jesus teaching
in the temple: "A fast is first and foremost personal. It
is a fast for the purification of my own body, mind, and soul.
The fast is also a heartfelt prayer for purification and strengthening
for all those who work beside me in the farm worker movement.
The fast is also an act of penance for those in positions of
moral authority and for all men and women activists who know
what is right and just, who know that they could and should do
more. The fast is finally a declaration of non-cooperation with
supermarkets who promote and sell and profit from California
table grapes."
As you prepare for Emmanuel (GOD with us) - know that fasting
for justice will enhance your Christmas by putting things in
better perspective. Check out Alternatives for Simple Living
<http://SimpleLiving.org>
for other ways to "fast."
Listen to Cesar and hear Mary sing her Magnificat: "The
love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our
being but it is also the most true to our nature."
Fast well.
Wesley White
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