There’s a picture floating around on the internet of Jesus slapping his forehead in frustration and bewilderment, much like Homer Simpson would do on the Simpsons. Every time I see it, I can picture Jesus saying in a very Homer-like voice, “Doh!”
If Jesus actually makes such a face, he is undoubtedly making it today. So congratulations, St. Mary’s Cathedral, you have successfully brought out Jesus’ inner Homer Simpson.
Perhaps you have seen the news, a story broke recently about St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, CA that has installed a sprinkler system in the alcoves outside its doors with the alleged intent of deterring the local homeless population from sleeping on the property.
When I first read this story earlier today, I could not believe this was actually true. “Surely not,” I thought to myself. “This has to be a misprint. Or maybe it’s just bad luck that the sprinklers are in those spots.” Nope. According to news reports, a cathedral staff member has confirmed that the sprinklers are a new addition and that their intended purpose is to ward off potential guests.
Ok, St. Mary’s. Can we talk? First of all, I get it, most of us do. You do not want homeless folks sleeping on your property. I know there all kinds of concerns/issues involved in having people that you cannot account for using your property in this way. I get it, I have served congregations that have a large local homeless contingent, it’s tricky and complicated. There are insurance concerns, safety issues, and questions about sanitation and cleanliness. I have no doubt that you are doing great and authentic ministry there in San Francisco and I believe that you want what’s best for your people and for your city. You do not have to justify to me, or anyone else your lack of desire for your property to become a homeless camp.
But what I do not understand is why and how you were able to make the jump from putting up “No Trespassing” signs to putting in sprinklers to ward off anyone who dare enter those alcoves. Will you please explain it to me? I am having a difficult time picturing the staff or the board meeting where it was agreed upon that this was good idea.
I don’t understand. But of course, it does not matter what I think. But I am quite certain that Jesus does not understand either. I’m fairly familiar with the Gospels, and nowhere can I find a shred of teaching that condones Jesus’ followers robbing another human of dignity and self-respect. All I can think of right now is that whole, “When you did this to the least of these…” thing that Jesus told his followers would actually be the basis on which all people are judged.
So now what? I am thankful to hear that you are now working on dismantling the sprinkler system. This is awesome, and you should be commended for taking this step. But, surely you recognize that taking down the sprinklers is only the first step of much longer journey. So then, what is the next step for your congregation and for your little corner of San Francisco? What are you going to do to make this right? Maybe you don’t believe this, but the Church will be (and already is) looking to you. We will be looking to you in hopes that you will lead the way in showing us a better option in interacting with our transient neighbors. We will be looking to you to show us how we may better repent when we fail to tend to the “least of these” and we will be hoping that you will blaze the trail in leading us into a better way of making our institutions more hospitable places to all those who find themselves in need of safe space.
But there’s more, St. Mary’s. And here’s where the pressure kicks in for you, and really all of us. It will not only be us Christians that will be watching to see what you do, but all those who have dismissed the message and teachings of Jesus as out of touch or irrelevant will also be watching as well. Will you continue to confirm the suspicions of those who believe that the Church only cares about its members, its property, and its money or will you show all those who are desperate for that feeling of community, grace, and belonging that the Church does in fact care about the entirety of God’s Creation?
And I suppose, at the end of the day, this is not just a challenge for you, St. Mary’s, but for all of us. Maybe the reason that this story has struck such a strong cord is that we all realize how close we are to putting up our own sprinklers to ward off those whom we deem undesirable and we all realize that we have got to do better.
Help us, St. Mary’s. Will you help show us how we can stop making Jesus say, “Doh!’ and start saying, “Woohoo!”
Rev. Aaron Todd serves as the Minister for Education at First Christian Church-Midwest City, OK . Among other things, he focuses on youth, children, young adult, and family ministry. He is married to Debra, who is also a Disciples pastor, and together they have a 3 year old son named Zach and a precious baby boy named Josh. In addition to their human children, they have a 5 year old dog named Amos (named after the prophet). Check out his blog, Peace.Love.Coffee
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