Sunday, November 20 was a cold and rainy day inSouthern California. It was also a historic day in four major cities throughout theUS, includingLos Angeles. Veteran Civil Rights leaders, including our own Rev. George Regas and our Rabbi in residence, Rabbi Leonard Beerman, went to Occupy LA to impart their wisdom and experience to a new generation of activists and it couldn’t have come at more crucial time.
Despite the pouring rain and mud, the interfaith tent was packed with faith leaders, visitors like myself, and Occupy activists. As we sat in a “circle of silence” that periodically gave way to people telling their stories, you could feel the enormity of what was going on in the tent, at Occupy LA, and in the Occupy movement in general. Tears filled my eyes several times, as people spoke from the heart, especially when one Occupy member spoke, getting choked up himself, about that fact that they are at a turning point and they are not sure what to do and scared that this could mean the end of the movement.
As police crackdown on Occupy movements throughout the nation,Los Angelesis starting to feel the pressure as well. The city wants them to vacate the south lawn and members of the movement are in disagreement about how to respond; some feel they should just move and some are adamant that they hold their ground at all costs. In a movement with no clear leadership, it’s easy to see how this could cause some consternation about the long-term viability of LA Occupy. For myself, I know I might be thinking, “I’m freezing, I’m wet, we are running low on food and water, we can’t agree on what to do, and does anyone really care anyway?”
On that cold rainy Sunday, there were at least two rays of light shining down on the Occupy camp – the interfaith leaders and the elders. It turns out that some people really do care.
For some in the Occupy movement, the interfaith leaders have been a source of strength at a time when some are feeling uncertain and even scared about the future of the movement. I for one was extremely happy when I heard that a group of faith leaders got together and joined the Occupy movement because I think that’s what Jesus was all about. It’s true that Jesus came for the 100%, but his ministry was clearly focused on the 99. And I think the interfaith leaders help add legitimacy to a movement that really is about justice for everyone.
The other ray of light on that cold rainy Sunday was a group of elders who brought a message of hope. “What you are doing IS important and people ARE paying attention. Don’t give up!” It was awe-inspiring to see people who have dedicated their lives to peace and justice, many now in their eighties, come out in the rain and cold to support a new generation of activists. In America, we often cast our elders aside, but I think we have much to learn from their wisdom and experiences, especially this bunch of radicals who have been proclaiming Jesus’ message of peace and justice for decades. They too, lend legitimacy to this movement of justice from everyone.
So where is the radical hospitality in all of this? It’s in the All Saints mantra of, “Whoever you are and where ever you are on your journey, you are welcome here” – a mantra that appears to have been taken up by the Occupy movement as well.
Chris, an Occupy member who has been on the front lines almost from day one, is the center of this story. Looking for a bible study group, a Google search brought him to the new member class at All Saints and, of course, All Saints welcomed him with open arms. Chris is not only an Occupy member, but he also happens to be homeless and he also happens to be one of the nicest people you will ever meet. And, on that cold rainy Sunday, Chris was part of the All Saints contingency that attended the Elders event.
After the event was over, Chris was kind enough to show us some radical hospitality by giving us a tour his tent and the Occupy camp. If you heard Rev. Ed Bacon’s sermon that Sunday, you know the movement was running very low on food and water. Despite that, as we took our tour, another Occupy member told us where to go if we wanted some hot soup. A willingness to share what you have with others, even when you hardly have anything to share, looks like radical hospitality to me.
Deeply moved by our experience and extremely grateful for the brave souls willing to camp outside City Hall, even in the cold and rain, we decided we had to do something. Realizing that if we did something, we might not make it to Jazz Vespers, we made the maddest dash to the grocery store you have ever seen. We ran to the car, drove safely to the store, and shopped like our hair was on fire. “Each of you has five minutes to throw whatever you can find in your cart and meet back at the checkout stand” was the order. We were on a mission! And, if I don’t say so myself, mission accomplished and we only missed half of Jazz Vespers. And the gratitude that we received when we dropped off our food and water at the food tent was priceless.
We left that day, some of us completely drenched, spiritually filled, emotionally touched, and changed forever. From the radical hospitality of a homeless kid to the radical hospitality of a church that openly accepted him to the radical hospitality of the Occupy movement itself, my eyes are still filling with tears from the emotions of that day. THIS is the radical hospitality that Jesus taught! And if you truly want to put your faith into action, I suggest you take a trip down to Occupy LA and let Chris and his friends show you how to be radically hospitable.
November 20, 2011
Sister MJ 