Giving to the Poor, Variation of a Theme

They'll Know We Are Christians
Lyrics by Carolyn Arends
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We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love 

We cannot ever overlook Tzedakah, charity to the world as the Jewish faith teaches. What  our Christian inheritance contains is a teaching of charity according to the ancients that helps first and foremost the giver; the focus of the teaching is upon the giver. Some are materially poor, others are poor in spirit; while still others are poor in mind or health. All of us experience some form of poverty in our lives.
Charitable behavior is central to Jewish ethics and thought. It is rooted in the concepts of fairness, justice and equity. Notice that nowhere in this idea do we find the words pity, sorrow or giving favors. And central to this idea is that all are deserving of charity in the way of food, clothing and shelter. It is rectifying an injustice to another, giving what all should have in the first place. And there is poverty of several types. Thus a just society is one adjudged to have complete charity for one and all. Perfect  karma.

The Last Judgment Matthew 25:

The king will say, you have my father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. I was hungry and you gave food; I was naked and you clothed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me. And when I was ill or imprisoned, you visited with me.[In the end] we will answer for our brothers; as you did for the least of them, you did for me.

Matthew 25:31-46

The Community Garden

PSALM 86*
Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am faithful;
save the servant who trusts in you.

You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord,
for I cry to you all the day long.
Give joy to your servant, O Lord,
for to you I lift up my soul.

O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of love to all who call.
Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my voice.

*NOTE: Psalms are meant to be sung or chanted. This has been so for thousands of years.

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 Again taking up the topic of 'making my garden green again,' it is now on the approach of spring. The growing season is ahead. In our community and in others around the United States there is a green movement, one that is truly green, that supports all who participate. The idea is a 'community' garden in which a large plot of land is made available to all who wish to tend a part of it. They plant, cultivate and harvest from their own parcel and because of their efforts, they and every other person who chooses to garden there, receive the produce of any other parcel. It is then, truly a community garden. In our community, the local University and some other smaller entities make land available for this use. The university may be the largest, giving several acres to this endeavor.
 Each person freely enters into the process, grows a crop that is shared with one and all alike. There is fresh produce for the season, an avenue for good health, irrespective of social status or financial wherewithall. This truly community garden does not require any significant financial investment beyond seeds and any other soil amendments the prospective gardeners wish to make; all benefit. They work ultimately for food and for collective justice of the common good. And that is good which does no harm, which engages in food politics in a beneficial  manner. Will you find a garden and choose your plot today?