Saturday, December 14, 2002

And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. Mark 6: 5

Eighty-four Wisconsin schools recently received "failing grades." The issues around "failing schools" are enormously complex. If the schools do not improve, the faculty and staff face job losing their jobs and the schools may close under the new "Leave No Child Behind" law. Not surprisingly, the four failing schools in my community are in economically depressed, high crime areas. I knew a little boy, Todd, age 7, who attended one of these schools. He came to the attention of the court system because he was habitually late, and often absent from school. Arising each morning in a home with little food and without much adult supervision, Todd who was in second grade had a lot of work to do. First, he would change the diapers for his two youngest brothers who were both toddlers. He would try to find something for them to eat and place them in front of the television. Next, he would dress himself and his brother who was in kindergarten and then they would walk to school together, often with empty bellies and certainly without boots, mittens, or school supplies. Perhaps the number of "Todds" in their classrooms overwhelms Todd's teachers and the support staff. They are surely demoralized by the "failing grades" and the threat of job loss. Perhaps they feel as powerless as Jesus in his hometown. Some are wholly paralyzed by the circumstances. Others, like Jesus do what they can. It is the faith of others, however, that will make a difference.

What part, I wonder, do I play in creating and sustaining environments for powerless for others through my actions, inaction and lack of faith? Am I like those who disempower Christ?

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." Albert Einstein

Kate Jones

All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.