Parables for Today

My mother was a bit crabby today. The missing clothing issue has still not been resolved, but the real issue of the day was that there was a "seder tasting" for the Jewish folks this afternoon. She didn't feel invited. She didn't understand what was going on. She felt like an outsider and she was unhappy. She said she shouldn't have to feel like she's in the minority. She wants to be with "Americans." Actually she really wants to be with only Lutheran "Americans" of Germanic heritage---as long as they are not so German as to actually have a German accent.

Welcome to the 21st century, Mom! I doubt that Mom is in the minority at Rosewood, but there are significant numbers of Jewish, Russian, Asian, and Hispanic residents...and the vast majority are just as "American" as she is. I know that Mom's xenophobia is a common thing among people her age. I imagine the elderly Jewish folks wish they didn't have to hang out with those elderly Christians and the elderly Russians wish that the Hispanic staff members would speak Russian instead of Spanish. Heck, the majority of my friends are caucasian Christians--and I hope I'm not yet labeled as elderly!

The funny thing is, my mother grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood in Chicago -- Mayor Daley's stomping grounds. During her youth there were four different Lutheran churches on the corner by their home---each ministering to a different ethnicity! In addition there were different Catholic churches for the Irish, Polish, and German segments of the community. Today I believe most churches in Bridgeport minister to differing ethnicities...but there still is plenty of tension between the old Irish guard and the newer Eastern European and Hispanic arrivals. Different cast of characters at Rosewood and in Bridgeport, but the "insider-outsider" issues are the same.

Going much further back, yesterday Max, Susan and I visited the Aztecs exhibit at the Field museum. I could write a lot about that wonderful exhibit, but the factoid that relates to this story is the following: When the Spanish tried to conquor Tenochtitlán, the Aztec stronghold, they were helped by many smaller indigenous groups that had previously been conquered by the Aztecs. Seems those smaller groups didn't like being "outsiders" in the Aztec dominated society.

So this is a difficult concept that humanity has struggled with forever. It's terrifying to realize how many wars are going on right this minute because one group doesn't want to be a minority. On a personal level we are still most comfortable with people who are like us.

I am optimistic, however, that, at least on the local level, we are getting better at expanding our comfort zone. In my childhood I accepted the idea that Lutherans of German heritage were somehow at the top of the ethnic/religious food chain, but thankfully I have outgrown that concept and am enriched by friendship with people of differing faiths and ethnicities.

In our current Bible Study on the Parables, Jesus is continually berating the Pharisees for their unwillingness to reach out to people who are different than they. I've been reminded throughout this study that the Parables are for today.....but today they were really for today!