HOLY CROSS MELVILLE
27 SEPTEMBER 2015 – SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY
MARK 9:38-50
Revd Julie Barrett-Lennard
Today is known as Social Justice Sunday amongst many mainstream Churches. And I have to
say I really don’t approach it with great enthusiasm. Not because I think Social Justice is
unimportant. In fact, probably the opposite. It is so important it is such a huge topic with so
many aspects to it. In fact, I’d say that most of the New Testament is about social justice in
one way or another. So how does one do it justice in 12-15 minutes? The answer of course is
one can’t.
And the theme for this year is even harder to speak on - For those who’ve come across the
sea. Far too tricky for a sermon. So – I’m finding middle ground and am going to talk about
social justice in general – although giving one particular very topical local example.
A quick word first though about today’s Gospel. Despite its seemingly rather scary threats – it
is about social justice. About being honourable citizens – living our lives so as not to cause
another to stumble. To do our best by others. It's not about us all being physically lame and
maimed Christians with everything chopped off or torn out. It's about being socially
responsible and modelling that to others. Thought you might like some reassurance we don’t
have to go and physically harm ourselves to be a good Christian!
There is probably a variety of responses amongst us when the topic of social justice comes
up. But a Reverend Kenneth Collier has written an interesting article on how he believes
people respond when they are confronted by social justice issues ("A Theory Of Social Justice: Compassion,
Not Guilt", May 14, 2000). Revd Collier believes social justice immediately conjures up guilt in
people. And then all sorts of excuses are given why we haven’t been better in responding to
the needs of the world.
Revd Collier says that firstly, there’s the "I’ve Got Mine" theory of social justice. These are
people who know there’s an enormous amount of pain and suffering - but "I’ve got my own
problems". Too busy, family to feed and so on. These people feel they’re just too busy to do
anything about anyone else’s problems - so let someone else take care of them.
Then there’s the "Yes I know" theory of social justice. These people recognise that the world
is full of injustice and it needs to be changed - but "That will take a better person than I am. It
will take a Martin Luther King, Jr., a Gandhi, a Mother Theresa. I'm just an ordinary sort of
person - I can’t do anything significant". In other words, it takes great people, and since I'm
not a great person, I'll wait for one to come along who is.
We then have the social justice theory of "There's so much to do I wouldn't know where to
begin. I need someone to tell me. In the meantime, all I can do is wring my hands of it." In
other words, I don’t want to get involved.
As Reverend Collier said, all three of these "theories" amount to excuses, and obviously do
little to help make a difference in the world.
It could be argued that Australians in particular have a responsibility to be good global
citizens because we really are a very fortunate country. “The lucky country” many tell us. But
there is another side to us isn’t there? To our shame too many have to endure tough situations.
And one area of social justice that has increased in awareness – and thus importance - in
recent years is domestic violence.
Apart from physical, emotional and verbal abuse – deaths through domestic violence are of
grave concern. In 2011 there were nine deaths in Australia attributed to domestic violence.
This year there are already 63.
It is well documented that one of the main reasons behind domestic violence is people’s lives
are not actually happening the way they would prefer. Whilst many see family as their greatest
source of happiness – and time with family and friends, and for leisure, really important – they
don’t actually get to adequately achieve these things.
Families are under real pressure. Increasing housing costs – and the associated costs of
running a home whether renting or buying. FIFO working arrangements. Two parents
working. Caring for parents – or grandparents caring for grandchildren. The list could go on.
Exacerbating the problems is support for those in need is reducing significantly. It’s a real
catch 22 situation. The need is greater but practical support is less because people no longer
have time to volunteer. Several times recently I have heard foster care agencies on the radio
pleading for more foster carers because the number of children needing state care has
increased but the number of carers decreased.
Financial support to helping agencies is less because people are so financially committed to
their own needs that there isn’t a lot left over. Other social support like Op Shops is less
because people are hanging on to their clothes longer – or not buying the same amount and
therefore don’t have as much to donate. Food support is less because people can only just
manage to feed themselves. Women’s refuges often have to turn abused women and their
children away because there is no more room.
Family life is at the heart of the community – and yet it is breaking down at a rapid rate. And
unfortunately this is too often expressed through domestic violence.
Praise God our new look Government is doing something substantial about it already. Our
Prime Minister launched his Domestic Violence agenda during the week – and he emphasised
how important it was for attitudes towards women be changed – thus changing behaviours
such as domestic violence.
So when things are not going well because of all the stresses that build up in life – don’t
blame - and take it out on - the female partner.
And I think the Prime Minister has given us a way in which we can all be social justice
people – even though sometimes what is happening seems beyond anything we can do. And
that is – we can all keep tabs on our attitude towards social justice issues.
Now – I’m sure we all have an attitude that domestic violence is wrong. But it’s more than
that. It’s about where the blame is apportioned.
For example – one of my nephews put on Facebook the video clip of that man hitting the
woman at the footy match Friday night. He thought the guy was a “real tosser” – but then said
she should have just walked away.
A family member of the man said the lady shouldn’t have got involved. That is, should not
have asked this man to stop his swearing and bad behaviour in front of her two children.
So the attitude of my beloved nephew and this family member seemed to be one of “the
woman was to blame”. Was she – do you think?
I think with domestic violence we are where we were at years ago with mental health.
Remember when we couldn’t or wouldn’t or shouldn’t talk about mental illness. The shame.
The embarrassment. The attitudes of “just get over it”. Mental health remains a big social
issue – but at least we are now responding much more appropriately and caringly and have
better support structures in place.
And so with domestic violence. As was reported in an article in the West Weekend yesterday
– it is simply not good enough for journalists to report that victims of domestic violence
“absolutely had to get out” of abusive relationships. Rosie Batty – about whom the article
was written and whom you may know is our current Australian of the Year because of her
work in this area – responded to that:
Well guess what buddy, it’s not just about leaving physically, getting out the door, it’s
actually leaving emotionally, and you don’t know what’s going to happen.
(“Was I ever a Mum”, West Weekend, September 26-27 2015, pp10-13.)
And there was the Letter to the Editor yesterday written by a mum whose daughter had to
take out a Violence Restraining Order against her partner just before their baby was born. The
process meant her daughter had to stand before the magistrate who was – and I quote – “a
middle aged male magistrate” – and the only security officer was male. For security reasons
the daughter didn’t put the child’s father’s name on the birth certificate. Commenting on that,
the magistrate said:
You are another one of these women who think they are so smart.
Unbelievable. Fortunately court advocates got the case cancelled and three days later it was
heard again in front of a JP who immediately issued the VRO.
“Letters”, The West Australian, September 26-27 2015, p.90.
The ABC TV programme The Drum also featured domestic violence during the week. In fact,
a very good point was made by one of the panelists – that all violence is unacceptable. Of
course, she and the others highlighted the stats that show women are most at risk – but it is
true – any form of abuse or violence one towards another is unacceptable. Whether that be
physical, emotional, verbal – and yes, even spiritual.
I think the Prime Minister was absolutely right when he highlighted attitude as a primary
factor in reducing domestic violence. For we all have an attitude don’t we? Towards
everything? And one person’s attitude – including ours – can significantly influence another’s
– who can influence another. A real domino effect.
Also - don’t under estimate the value of our prayers. As it happens, today we also remember
St Vincent de Paul. I’m sure most of us know of the charitable work with the poor for which
he is remembered. But for St Vincent, prayer was a way of developing and deepening a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ and with the poor. He had a deep faith and trust in
God’s care for him and for all people, especially the poor. Vincent encouraged his followers to
be both prayerful people and people of action. His Gospel was indeed a social justice one
where prayer played an enormous part.
Of course – there are practical ways in which we can support social justice issues. Maybe
donating food to a food distribution centre. Maybe supporting a child through World Vision or
similar. Maybe offering someone a bit of work to earn some money in a tough time. Maybe
supporting a missionary somewhere. Maybe sending money to special appeals for a major
disaster because you want to do something, but know it’s impossible to go and physically help.
Whether it be practical or more passive - there is no excuse for us to fall into the trap of doing
nothing with respect to social justice. To fall prey to some of the excuses Revd Collier wrote
about. Remember, the rich man in the Gospel was punished for doing nothing. However,
whatever our response to social justice issues is – it is best not be done out of guilt but rather
be motivated by a loving, caring and compassionate heart that helps us discern where we need
to put our social justice into practice.
Well – although I approach Social Justice Sunday with little enthusiasm – writing about it
actually is good for me as it reminds me there is no need to be overwhelmed – or complacent.
There is always something I can do.