RRBeckerCreative

A German Catholic Priest’s (Martin Luther – 1483-1546) response to a plague (pandemic) in 1527.

In his response to the plague that reemerged in Wittenberg in 1527, Martin Luther addressed the question of how a Christian should act in a pandemic. After highlighting the ways God shows concern for good health in Scripture and exhorting his readers to care for their neighbors, Luther writes that prayer, though important, is not enough. Christians, he proclaims, must do more than pray. They must act. “Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others.”

As much progress as the world has made to end hunger, we still have a long way to go. Nearly 690 million people around the world are undernourished, and more than 35 million people in the United States don’t know where their next meal will come from. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of hunger around the world was on the rise after a decade of decline. With the pandemic, we have seen historic levels of unemployment, and even the most conservative forecasts warn that hunger and poverty could increase with nearly unprecedented speed in the coming years as we recover from its effects.

-excerpts taken from the ELCA 40 Days of Giving

they are in the News

March 22, 2021

The docket seems full. As I opened up the computer to the news this morning, there is much that stands out for me to contemplate. So many of the events appear to be framed into battle lines. I use the word battle rather than wars or fights because there seems to be little common ground for discussions (just battles) on the issues confronting us these days.

“We all do better when we all do better.”

Paul Wellstone

The Battle for justice in the George Floyd Trial

There is a call for justice for the Black community. But they want justice for the white aristocracy and in light of the recent Asian shooting it appears they want nothing to do with justice for Asians, Native Americans, LGBTQ citizens, Hispanic citizens or immigrants either.

The Battle for Immigration Reform

There is a call for a just immigration system. But they want to reinstate the rule that requires applicants for citizenship to prove financial security before being allowed to become citizens. An interesting requirement. We all know those that flee oppression, abuse and de-humanization are denied the opportunity of financial security.

The Battle to eliminate the COVID-19 Pandemic

There is anxiety in the year old and seemingly unrelenting pandemic that is still affecting thousands of people a day. But they don’t want anyone treading on their right not to wear a mask or get vaccinated even if they get sick or to cause others to get sick.

The Battle for Climate change

they say that there should be no authority to regulate “’social costs’ of greenhouse gases” or for that matter anything that gets in the way of white capitalistic growth.

The Battle to save democracy and prosecute Insurrection

There is a call for justice to prosecute those that stormed the capital in an effort to over throw a presidential election. But they believe the justice system should protect white insurrection – not “Black Lives Matter” or  feminist protest movements.

The Battles of March Madness – the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

And even the world of basketball is filled with upsets and the joys and sorrows of those that have won and those that have lost. And for the most part, they have no problem cheering for the incredible prowess of black athletes and their commingling with white athletes.

As I finish reading the news I see that not only have they stacked the courts, their hopes are that the countless suits now being brought against justice for anyone other than white capitalist sympathizers will be successfully denied by the Federalist backed judges they’ve appointed. Such is the News.

                   SILLY

                       by RA Becker

This weekend while hosting a sleepover 

with our two youngest grand daughters,

the youngest asked “Grampy, why are you so silly?“

I told her Grampy just loves having fun 

and being just a little bit goofy.

I told her my mother said I was born with a smile, 

I was a happy baby.

Perhaps it epitomizes the joy of just being me, 

being free to experience joy and love, 

both received and given.

Perhaps I just put my heart and soul 

in trying to have a fun time, 

perhaps once I reached adulthood

it became a mechanism to ward off 

anxiety, stress and frustration.

Maybe it came from having a funny bone 

or came by way of history, listening to comedy [sic]

by favorite comedians like The Three Stooges, 

Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplain, and

later, Red Skelton, Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams, 

Johnny Carson, Bob Newhart and Jack Benny.

Even the activist humor of comedians such as

George Carlin and Richard Pryor

or the satirical political song writing of artists like

the Smothers Brothers have had an influence on me.

And the child, my beautiful grand daughter, 

aptly perceived, it made her Grampy be silly.

                                                     —for my granddaughters

My last Post was February 17th. Even during the pandemic time flies. I continue to read, learn, write and work three days a week at St. Philip’s Food & Clothing Shelf. As part of a Lenten discipline I’m currently part of a book discussion group that is studying the thought provoking book “Dear Church” by Rev. Lenny Duncan. I’ve also been following my ‘Top 10’ Advocacy sites in an effort to broaden my perspective on hunger and social justice. I’ve provided links and encourage you to check them out:

1. ELCA Action Center                    https://support.elca.org/site/SPageNavigator/elca_action_center.html

2. Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota http://www.lutheranadvocacymn.org/

3. The Poor People’s Campaign https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org

4. Hunger Free America https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org

5. Human Rights Campaign https://www.hrc.org

6. Sojourners https://sojo.net

7. “The Corners” Nadia Bolz-Weber thecorners@substack.com

8. Christian/Muslim Dialogue bonnclaytonsenior@gmail.com

9. Habitat for Humanity advocacy@tchabitat.org

10. (g)race                https://anchor.fm/heartedge/episodes/1–Broderick-Greer-Black-imagination–white-reactions-eqjgrh A new Spotify podcast by Rev. Winnie Varghese with Rev. Azariah France-Williams on God and Race!

While working at the Food & Clothing Shelf I frequently wonder how we can do more to help those in need. In doing so I often find myself depressed, thinking that we aren’t doing enough. And then today I read the following quote from the Augsburg Publishing “a story to tell” a 2021 lenten devotional.

“We plant the seeds that will one day grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise . . . We can not do everything, and there is a sense of liberation knowing that . . . It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.” Ken Untener, “Profits of a Future Not Our Own”

This reminded me of the story of the little boy who was asked why he was throwing starfish back into the sea. The boy was told that there were thousands of starfish and he couldn’t save them all. The little boy looked at the one in his hand and said I can save this one.

He was advocating for the star fish – one at a time.

While listening to the podcast  (g)race a poignant question was raised – How can people who call themselves Christian hate black people?

I choose to advocate for Social Justice in hopes that my efforts make a difference – one person at a time.

Everyone is deserving – ALL are made in the image of God! Be an advocate for justice.

Until all are fed,

Bob

Smells that Stay with You!

          Good/Not So Good?

Smells that you can actually smell

without a scratch and sniff card.

Uniquely remembered 

from that very first smell.

A freshly changed car tire.

Ammonia – that will perk your nose up.

Burnt electric motor wires

Burnt hair – smells like burnt chicken feathers.

Cigar at an outdoor football game.

Fingernail polish remover.

Freshly tilled black dirt.

Gunpowder – a firecracker will do.

Gymnasium – the smell of a good sweat.

Ignition of a wooden match.

Mowed grass.

New York City sausage vendor.

Rotting cattails in a fall slough.

Sawdust – fresh off a table saw – best.

Shoe polish and a shoe shine kit.

Silage – and a peak in the silo.

The free smells at Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop.

Enjoy!

Today after getting back from working at our church food & clothing shelf (St. Philip’s Lutheran Church Food & Clothing Shelf, Fridley, MN – splcmn.org) the refrigerator repair man (actually two men) came to fix our refrigerator that hadn’t been cooling properly. It occurred to me that my wife and I are incredibly fortunate. We have a small refrigerator in the basement and since it has been below zero for well over a week, we had an outdoor freezer to help keep our frozen food safe while we waited for repair parts to arrive. All this activity got me to thinking about each family that comes to the Food Shelf. They are given one full bag of non-perishable food and one full bag of perishable food. I pray that they are able to pay rent, their utility bills and that they have adequate refrigeration where they live so that the perishable foods will stay fresh until they’ve all been eaten. I worry about how our homeless guests manage their perishable food, how long are they able to make it last? Visitors are also welcome (one at a time with mask on) to come in our church entry foyer to shop for warm clothes, blankets and shoes. With the recent cold snap guests have appreciated the ample variety of coats, pants, warm socks and boots that we have available for them. The ladies (knitters, crocheters and quilters) from our church keep us supplied with warm mittens, hats and quilts which are also a hit.

As you ponder your blessings I would encourage you to support a local food shelf. The cost of housing is the major cause of hunger in America. I would also ask you to encourage your congressman to pass a COVID relief bill that would include an ample direct payment relief check, fair housing relief, a $15.00 minimum wage, and an increase in SNAP funding. Hungry lives depend on the support of those of us that have.

Until all are fed,

Bob

On this cold Minnesota day with the mesmerizing horizontal drifting snow, my mind began to wander. I reimagined thoughts from a trip to Mexico. Thoughts of sun, warm breezes and the mesmerizing repetition of the Pacific Ocean waves. Thoughts which most assuredly called for a poem. Be well, be safe and be warm.

An Evening in Zihuatenejo

By Robert Becker

A perilous bus ride

down a mountain to the village

and the ocean we’d come to explore.

An evening in Zihuatenejo,

the catamaran sailed quietly away

into the sunset away from the shore.

Circling islands of stone

spectacular views of the sun 

as if shining through, a wide open door.

The fishing boats were all beached

their nets were all folded

waiting the ‘morrow for more.

Dark settled into the bay,

the catamaran returned to beautiful lights

passengers to remember evermore.

The Shawshank Redemption 

was referenced here,

imparting a bit of village folklore.

The captain had promised 

a memorable “sunset cruise,” it was,

as they say, “all we had hoped for.”

I not only write poetry but I also enjoy reading poetry. Recently I read a poem that referenced Phillis Wheatley also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly.  (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) I did a web search and found that she was the first black poet to publish a book in the United States. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was enslaved by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. 

The following is one of the poems she wrote. Enjoy!

On Being Brought from Africa to America

’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,

Taught my benighted soul to understand

That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:

Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

“Their color is a diabolic die.”

Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,

May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.

Becky and I have been watching the 2016 Netflix Series “Designated Survivor.” Some of the terms that come to mind as we have been watching include; riveting, captivating, visionary. As we began watching the series we found that we couldn’t just watch one or two episodes a night. One night as it got late we had to watch a fourth episode. We couldn’t stand to take a break in the action. We hadn’t done much research on the series prior to watching it so we weren’t aware of how many episodes there would be. After watching the first 21 episodes we found that we had just watched season 1 and that there were two more seasons to watch. Season two has 22 episodes which we are now watching. Season three has 10 episodes. As I mentioned the series is riveting, the drama is intense and it has been hard to end an evening of binge watching. We both commented that we couldn’t imagine watching only one episode each week and having to wait to find out what would happen next. It is amazing to watch in light of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. Knowing that the writing of David Guggenheim drama dates back to 2016 makes it seem even more visionary to me. He certainly brings plausible insight to the inner workings of Washington D.C., congress, the FBI, the executive branch, the media and government in general. Guggenheim gives credence to the idea of plots to overthrow the government. Without going in to detail by which I might give too much of the drama away, I simply encourage you to watch it. The cost of a Netflix subscription seems worth it when you consider you will have 53 episodes to watch – And Enjoy!

And when you are done with the Designated Survivor I would suggest that you watch Ted Lasso, The Crown and The Queens Gambit.