*Originally published February 2, 2016

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I attended a mega-Baptist Church outside of Birmingham, Alabama, which is big into mission work. The gathering area was filled with photographic essays of their projects. Smiling faces, desperate conditions, and beautiful scenery. One photograph has stayed with me. Unlike the photos that tacitly blessed those who had interceded in the lives of “needy” people, this photo said, “stay away”. It showed a fence with these pleading words carefully stenciled. “We beg you with tears in our eyes to please leave us alone.”

On the wall by the photo was a thoughtful commentary: “The message of this sign is a caution to those of us seeking to provide assistance to people in lower income areas. Not to avoid ministry, but to avoid quick and simplistic solutions which only satisfy us, but offer no real long-time solutions. Prayerfully we should establish deep, long-lasting connection.” The photo is by the Birmingham, Alabama photographer, Cary Norton. He said the fence is in a section of Birmingham not known for its after-hours safety. He neither knew the story behind the words nor would ask. The lack of explanation makes it impossible to appreciate the perspective from which it came, but it invites our imagination and a thoughtful response that engages all parties.

I read one comment about the photo that is a loving reaction and well meaning. The woman wondered if the anonymous people hidden by the fence had been robbed or bullied. Her response, no matter what had happened, was a desire to open the gate and cover the people with love. But if the people are hungry, how filling to the stomach is a hug? If the people have experienced injustice after injustice, how does the love bring fairness in the criminal justice system? If the children are benevolently given third-hand books and barely functioning equipment from more advantaged school districts, does a hug provide a first-rate education?

Many people are good at Acts of Charity: a winter-coat drive, the Thanksgiving basket, and food pantry. When there is a global crisis we open our wallets (and too many CEOs of non-profit organizations have their wallets nicely lined in the process). Acts of charity can meet an immediate need, and I have helped in such projects. But what about tomorrow? Does it change the circumstances leading to the homeless and hungry? I can march, but at the end of the march, I go home. The institutions in the U. S. have not done as well with Acts of Justice. Between charity and justice is an intermediate phase. When we connect with persons in a time of crisis that becomes an opportunity to begin to learn of the hidden reasons for the immediate predicament. And that can give rise to fact-finding and building coalitions. The result can be Acts of Justice.

I attended a mega-Baptist Church outside of Birmingham, Alabama, which is big into mission work. The gathering area was filled with photographic essays of their projects. Smiling faces, desperate conditions, and beautiful scenery. One photograph has stayed with me. Unlike the photos that tacitly blessed those who had interceded in the lives of “needy” people, this photo said, “stay away”. It showed a fence with these pleading words carefully stenciled. “We beg you with tears in our eyes to please leave us alone.”

On the wall by the photo was a thoughtful commentary: “The message of this sign is a caution to those of us seeking to provide assistance to people in lower income areas. Not to avoid ministry, but to avoid quick and simplistic solutions which only satisfy us, but offer no real long-time solutions. Prayerfully we should establish deep, long-lasting connection.” The photo is by the Birmingham, Alabama photographer, Cary Norton. He said the fence is in a section of Birmingham not known for its after-hours safety. He neither knew the story behind the words nor would ask. The lack of explanation makes it impossible to appreciate the perspective from which it came, but it invites our imagination and a thoughtful response that engages all parties.

I read one comment about the photo that is a loving reaction and well meaning. The woman wondered if the anonymous people hidden by the fence had been robbed or bullied. Her response, no matter what had happened, was a desire to open the gate and cover the people with love. But if the people are hungry, how filling to the stomach is a hug? If the people have experienced injustice after injustice, how does the love bring fairness in the criminal justice system? If the children are benevolently given third-hand books and barely functioning equipment from more advantaged school districts, does a hug provide a first-rate education?

Many people are good at Acts of Charity: a winter-coat drive, the Thanksgiving basket, and food pantry. When there is a global crisis we open our wallets (and too many CEOs of non-profit organizations have their wallets nicely lined in the process). Acts of charity can meet an immediate need, and I have helped in such projects. But what about tomorrow? Does it change the circumstances leading to the homeless and hungry? I can march, but at the end of the march, I go home. The institutions in the U. S. have not done as well with Acts of Justice. Between charity and justice is an intermediate phase. When we connect with persons in a time of crisis that becomes an opportunity to begin to learn of the hidden reasons for the immediate predicament. And that can give rise to fact-finding and building coalitions. The result can be Acts of Justice.

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