Waiting in Line
Last Sunday I preached about the man who had been trying to get into the waters of the healing pool for 38 years (Gospel of John 5:1-9). When the waters were stirred up, the first person into the water would be healed.
There are many contemporary pools that are intended to be places of healing. Yet they often become pathetic places where people go for help: utilities, rent assistance, unemployment, picture I.D.’s, healthcare, food and so on. There are long lines, limited resources, too few helpers. Needs often go unmet, too many give up in despair, the lucky ones have to live with the knowledge that their luck probably contributed to another family’s bad luck.
As I was thinking about those people waiting for hours to submit an application, I suddenly remembered the last application I made. I walked into an auto dealer’s showroom, where I was warmly greeted and immediately introduced to a person who helped me. With only my driver’s license and an insurance card for documentation, I drove a new car off the lot a little over an hour later.
Privilege is a wonderful thing. It works to my advantage even when I’m not conscious of it. So I try to be more aware. That’s why I am so committed to our CityHeart ministry where we intentionally and consciously create a space of hospitality and welcome in the heart of the city.
If you haven’t seen CityHeart in action, I’d be delighted to show it to you. Give me a call/email/text and we’ll schedule a time. CityHeart hours are 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Christ Church Blog 
Your examples are interesting. The long lines you describe sound like they were for government agencies. While the car dealership was obviously privately owned. Government’s goal is not to help you. There is no incentive. The employee behind the desk is putting in their time until the end of the day. The salesman on the other hand, must produce or be dismissed. Like any other business, the customer calls the shots.
Also, one person’s luck is not another person’s bad luck. Depending on luck for your good fortune is an insult to God. He didn’t create mindless and numb robots. If you want to succeed, work hard and create your own “luck” without resenting someone else’s success (can anyone say envy?)
Steve, you are wrong. Most of the public servants I know work long hours and love those they serve. They are frustrated that so many of their clients are screwed by legislators who do not allocate enough funds to help their fellow citizens. When one person gets in line ahead of another, there’s often nothing left for the second person, even though their need is as great.That’s what I mean by luck . . . whoever gets in line first.
The example I gave about the car dealership was not about the motives of the salesman. It was about my privilege. To get utility assistance one needs far more documentation than I had to give to buy a car.
Steve, in order to get assistance in some cases, it means you have to be first in the pool. If you can’t get there soon enough, if your disability is too great, You don’t get served.
I’m white, middle class, and I know the rules of middle class society. I’m privileged. So are you. But there are many who don’t know how to function as you and I do. And there are many more who simply are happy to toss their fellow human beings under the buss.
John
Fr. Paddock, it is always so nice to have a discussion with someone who starts off the dialogue with “you are wrong”-especially a man of God. Where is that understanding and listening so prevalent in today’s churches?
Which part of my comment is wrong?
–Depending on luck is an insult to God?
–If you want to succeed, work hard and create your own “luck” without resenting someone else’s success?
The pool you speak of I assume is the government pool. It is not limitless and the government’s job is not to give unlimited money to citizens of the US. The church? Yes, that is their job and unfortunately the churches in the US have abdicated their role to the government. They use their money for pastor salaries, retirement funds, use of cars, health insurance and sabbaticals. And in the case of the Catholic church, they close the churches and move them when occupancy is too low-leaving long term parishioners without their sanctuary.
Your privilege? Because of your color? Really? See, I don’t view people by color or ethnicity or gender. Actions? Yes. Isn’t it in the Bible only Jesus can see what’s in your heart? So I concentrate more on what people do and how they treat others rather than assuming because they are a certain color they automatically must be a certain type.
Yet you judge me as privileged because of my color? You have no idea how I live or what I have experienced in my life but because of my color you view me a certain type. .
Lastly, reference your government workers “loving those they serve”. How about the IRS? They love the American people so much they target groups for harassment. Father, the government is not there to help. A church is, a neighbor even a business owner is there to help.The government is not.
I’m not wrong, just adjust your prism.