Galatians 6:1-10
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
(Kimmerer describes the mutuality of a serviceberry economy. The berry bush receives gifts of sun, water, and nourishment from the soil. Bees pollinate blossoms which then become berries. Birds gorge on the berries and pass their seeds through their digestive system, spreading them widely. New berry bushes may result.)
I lament my own immersion in an economy that grinds what is beautiful and unique into dollars, converts gifts to commodities in a currency that enables us to purchase things we don’t really need while destroying what we do. The Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity rather than accumulation, where wealth and security come from the quality of our relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiencty. Without gift relationships with bees and birds, the Serviceberries would disappear from the planet. Even if they hoarded abundance, perching atop the wealth ladder, they would not save themselves from the fate of extinction if their partners did not share in that abundance. Hoarding won’t save us either….All flourishing is mutual….
Imagining human economies that ar modeled after ecological systems is the real of ecological economists…Ecological economists ask how we might build economic systems that meet citizens’ needs while aligning with ecological principles that allow long-term sustainability for people and for the planet. Ecological economics emerged observing how the neoclassical economic approach fails to provide for everyone and does not adequately consider the ecosystems that are our life support. We’ve created a system such that we self-identify as consumers first before understanding ourselves as ecosystem citizens. In ecological economics, the focus is on creating an economy that provides for a just and sustainable future in which both human life and nonhuman life can flourish.
We are again today hanging out with Paul and the Galatians, who are describing a way to follow Jesus by creating communities of people committed to living by Jesus’ vision. It’s a good fit with our summer project, which is to learn to describe how we can, in this time and place, create communities of well-being for everyone – generous, just, compassionate, loving. Paul insists that we live with intention, to BE the way we want the world to be. He suggests that if we plant weeds, we’ll get weeds. If we plant goodness, we get eternal life starting today. This week, I took that personally. I’ve been wrestling with weeds all week. Invasive weeds in my garden. Weeds in the church garden. Weeds in my daughter’s yard. I’m pretty sure I didn’t plant any of these weeds, but I get to pull them out anyway. Buckets and buckets of weeds. It takes some energy to become motivated to pull so many weeds. But it sure feels great to see patches of bare ground and flowers and vegetables standing unencumbered, ready to grow freely. If unkind, selfish habits are weeds in the life we’re building together, I have plenty of those to deal with, too. I’m not much more motivated to weed out bad habits than I am to pull weeds, but once you get started there’s a momentum that takes over. And there’s that same satisfaction setting good habits free to flourish.
Paul cautions us not to be self-righteous about other people’s weeds. Jesus said something about taking logs out of our own eyes before dealing with visual splinters in others. Paul says, “save your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.” If we’re going to build community, we need to work a lot of grace and forgiveness into the soil. It’s easy to judge. It’s more productive to understand. And when we need to suggest there might be a better way, we need to do it gently. We might be wrong. For example, our president came to Iowa, in our back yard, just to let us know that he hates Democrats. I’m inclined to return the favor, but that’s just more weeds choking out communication and cooperation. Neither the president nor I exercise productive leadership by driving wedges between people. What does a better way look like?
“Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.”
How do we share one another’s burdens? This week we memorialized our good friend George. His family and friends are heartbroken by his death. We gave them a space to display lots of memorabilia and to tell his stories. We ate his favorite cookies and ice cream floats. We said right out loud that he died too young. For a little while we helped his family carry the burden of grief.
This week the community fund paid for a gas card so someone can get to work. We paid a $25 service fee so a young man could get a drug test and stay in compliance with probation. We paid that with 20 minutes to spare. I can’t tell you how grateful he was. He gave me a big “air hug” because he was sweaty from Thursday’s heat, and I gave him an air hug back because I was sweaty from too many weeds. That’s when I realized that the community fund is one of the best gifts you give ME because I get to give it to so many grateful people. I also realized that these bits we pay for aren’t really charity. They are one way of balancing the world a bit, building a community of equals. Some of us have a little extra cash, and others have hard work, hopes and dreams, stories of persistence, which make us all better. Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us that “all flourishing is mutual.” Those who give, receive. When you plant goodness, you harvest LIFE.
Kimmerer talks about ecological economies. When the whole system is healthy, when each part gives and takes in balance, everyone thrives. We’re trying to build a community that acknowledges how important each part is to the whole. We’re trying to support systems that help everyone do and be their best. Paul reminds us that selfishness is one of the worst weeds in destroying life. No one takes more than they need. Not more food at the potluck. Not more honor in leadership. Not more ego than is healthy. The community is in balance when folks give and receive, care and are cared for, and resources serve the common good.
This week congress passed the Big Beautiful Budget Bill. Some people are pretty excited about how wonderful it is. I’m having a little trouble seeing their flowers for all the weeds. Today’s readings give us some measuring sticks for the bill’s provisions? Will it make it easier for us to bear one another’s burdens? Or have we pushed some people down in order to lift others up? Does it share resources equitably so that everyone’s needs are met? Or does it allow some to horde resources the community needs? Does it teach us to respect the humanity of all parts of our community? Or does it demonize some to justify detention and deportation, withholding of benefits, judging some unworthy of community support?
Paul reminds us not to criticize without offering options. Maybe this bill isn’t a done deal. Maybe we can still suggest other ways. Can we fund more immigration judges so detention isn’t necessary? Can we find a path to citizenship for those who are contributing to our economy? Can we restore programs that save lives here and abroad? I read about a program in Denmark using turbines placed deep in the ocean to generate electricity. I read about a church using their land for tiny houses for those without shelter. I read about Oregon funding healthcare for everyone. I read about Minnesota providing free school lunches for every child. Can we say “yes” to good ideas and “no” to cruelty? I know we can. When we do, we lift each other up and bear the burdens of those who need a hand. We become a strong and loving community, and we show the world what it means to enjoy eternal life.