Pondering Pastor

Just as it can be quite a challenge to recycle responsibly (see this article), purchasing products with a sensitivity to economic and social justice can be very difficult.

The National Labor Committee website provides some eye-opening documentation of the abuse of workers in our global economy.  I stumbled upon the website after seeing a story about crucifixes sold at some prominent New York City churches being made in “sweatshops” and with child labor in China.

The NLC Mission Statement declares, in part …

The mission of the National Labor Committee is to help defend the human rights of workers in the global economy. The NLC investigates and exposes human and labor rights abuses committed by U.S. companies producing goods in the developing world. We undertake public education, research and popular campaigns that empower U.S. citizens to support the efforts of workers to learn and defend their rights. As they fight for the right to work in dignity, in healthy and safe workplaces and to earn a living wage, we will work with them to provide international visibility and backing for their efforts–and to press for international legal frameworks with effective enforcement mechanisms that will help create a space where fundamental internationally recognized worker rights can be assured.

But China is not the only place in the world abusing workers so that the balance of high profit and cheap goods can be maintained.  A lengthy article on the NLC website accuses Victoria’s Secret of opening a sewing plant in Jordan, staffing it with “guest workers” and abusing both the law and the women who are sewing the garments.

I fear that the challenge for those who desire justice will only get more difficult.

Pondering Pastor

With the Annapolis Summit being held on Tuesday, November 27th, the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East offers six prayers for peace.  Please use them for your personal devotions, as appropriate.

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From Rabbi Herbert Bronstein, Emeritus
Northshore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, Ill.

Sustain together in undiminished hope, O God of hope, those who continue to labor with undiminished determination to build peace in the land from which, of old, out of brokenness, violence and destruction, nevertheless hope emerged for so many of faith. .Bless all the spiritual seed of Abraham together with the light of your Presence. For in the light of your Presence we have found a way of justice and mercy and a vision of Peace. We praise you O God, Giver of Peace, who commands us to Peace. Amen

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From the Reverend Said Ailabouni,
Senior Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, La Grange, Ill.

God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East: Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis. Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation, that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen

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From Dawud Ahmad Assad
Council of Mosques USA, New York, N.Y.

In the Name of God, The Everlasting Merciful, The Cherisher Of the Worlds and Worthy of all Praise, Our Lord: You have created us from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made us into Nations and Tribes that we may Know one another (not that we may despise each other) so Help us to love each other and take the hatred and anger from our Hearts so that People of The Book (Jews, Christians and Muslims) In the Middle East may live in Peace and Justice. Amen

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From Rabbi H. Rolando Matalon
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, New York, N.Y.

God Source of Life, Creator of Peace. . . Help Your children, anguished and confused, To understand the futility of hatred and violence And grant them the ability to stretch across Political, religious and national boundaries So they may confront horror and fear By continuing together In the search for justice, peace and truth. . . With every fiber of our being, we beg You, O God, To help us not to fail nor falter. Amen

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From the Rev. John T. Pawlikowski, OSM
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Ill.

Lord God, we turn to you in these trying hours when conflict is a daily reality for our sisters and brothers in Israel and Palestine. We promise you to work to our utmost for peace and reconciliation in the region. But we know we cannot do it alone. We very much need the strength of your presence in our midst if we are to overcome the obstacles before us. So our prayer at this moment is that you add your support to our efforts, that you show yourself as a tower of strength in those moments when the barriers seem impassable. Together we can become beacons of hope for just and peaceful societies in the land so very dear to the peoples of your covenant.   Amen

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From Abdelwahab Hechiche
University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.

Almighty God! After almost a century of mistrust and fratricide, you inspired Jews, Christians and Muslims to take the path of reconciliation in the Middle East. . . We ask for your forgiveness, O God, yet we find it hard to forgive our past enemies. May Your Words touch those who still stray in the wilderness of vengeful violence, forgetting your command to “forgive and overlook, till God accomplishes His Purpose; for God hath power over all things.”     Amen

Pondering Pastor

On the eve of the “Annapolis Summit” where representatives from Arab nations and Israel will come again to the table to resume peace talks, National Geographic Magazine has an article about Bethlehem. “Bethlehem,” says the article, “is one of the most contentious places on earth.”  Consider the following from the article:

• Bethlehem and Jerusalem are only 6 miles apart (and separated by a wall).
• Bethlehem is a Palestinian city, with the majority of its citizens being Muslim.
• In 1900, 90% of the residents of Bethlehem were Christian.
• There is one checkpoint/crossing available between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and very few Palestinians are granted permission to cross.
• The wall separates squalid refugee camps from growing Jewish settlements.
• Tourism is very low.
• Unemployment is about 50%.

During my visit to Bethlehem in 1990, I remember a place with some tension because of the intifada, yet the people were hospitable and friendly.  Since then, so much has changed.  The stories Lutheran Bishop Younan tells are tragic.  Tragic too has been the reality that many U.S. Christian churches have unashamedly supported Israel while ignoring Christian brothers and sisters who suffer at the hands of the Israelis.

Pray for progress in the peace talks in Annapolis on November 27th.

(I’ve decided to purchase some gifts made by people in Bethlehem this Christmas as a small way of providing support.)

Pondering Pastor