Resistance as the Basis of Discipleship: An Advent Devotion – by Cynthia Holder Rich

Read Philip Vinod Peacock’s Essay, “An Alternative Look at Discipleship”
Read Teresa Chavez Sauceda’s Essay, “Resistance as the Basis of Discipleship”

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to  proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor…

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NRSV)

Regular readers of the essays that appear in this space will remember that my family spent a number of years living in Madagascar, during which time I was able to complete doctoral studies in South Africa.  We were also able to travel some in southern Africa.  Since our return to life in the US in 2003, I have been able to return to Madagascar or the African continent on five trips of a month or longer.

Having experienced culture shock when we moved to Madagascar, we knew what that was about and how to weather it.  We had been told that moving back would also bring challenges, which we considered…but really, how hard can moving to the US be?  Everything available all the time…malls and shopping opportunities on every corner…any kind of food, clothing, toy, electronic, accessible with the click of a mouse – not to mention access to  health care, education, and an Anglophone population – these goods made us sure that we would adapt on our return comparatively easily.

The truth is, of course, it can be as hard, or even harder, to come back than to go, emotionally, physiologically, and particularly spiritually.  After years living in a very poor country, returning to the US felt like arriving at Disneyland for a vacation and finding out that the plan was to stay there in the Magic Kingdom indefinitely.  Having learned to make a life with many fewer consumer goods available, and having discerned ways to live fully and well, made moving to the center of all things available all the time disruptive to mind and spirit.  For me, the trips back to Africa and Madagascar have aided me in achieving a needed level of emotional and spiritual balance.

The balance, for me, comes from being with people who are actively, intentionally resisting every day.  People who live in poor countries have to resist in order to survive.  They have to resist the idea that they are not important or of value.  They have to resist the thought that the things they can see and hear through the globalizing force of modern communication technology – things like electronics, fast food, and cars – they must resist the thought that these are needed for life to be good.  They have to resist the understanding that not being able to afford these things does not mean that their lives are small or lack meaning.  They must resist the concept that their understanding, norms and values are lesser because they are not coherent with the values and culture of those who hold more money and power on the global stage.

Of course, these forms of resistance should sound familiar to we who follow Jesus.  Jesus told people that they were the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  He offered these self-definitions to people who were living under brutal and economically onerous occupation, who were oppressed not only by the Romans but also by the leaders of their own faith community.  Jesus proclaims this same good news to us today.  For believers living in rich contexts, the call to resist is different in nature but like in content for those who live with far less material stuff.  We who live in the Magic Kingdom need to see ourselves as Jesus sees us – as important and of value.  We also are called to resist the idea that the number of toys we have brings us meaning and that being able to afford or not being able to afford things makes a difference in how we are assessed.  And we who live in richer countries need to reflect on how the prevailing culture does, and does not, fit with the life-giving culture brought by the Child of Bethlehem.

Life in Madagascar gave us a view of what government oppression and violence look like, and the impact these have on people’s spirits and ability to live and resist.  Yet, a foundational attitude of resistance is required in order to survive – and believers there displayed an open and active awareness and reliance on Jesus as their only source of hope.

In this year of continuing recession and global economic crisis, as job cuts, foreclosures, and deep anxiety continue in my country, the Occupy Wall Street movement has given me hope.  Life is different in the US than in Madagascar.  The challenges are different but often the result can look similar. Malagasy people and people in the US can be seduced by a passive approach to life, based in an understanding that life is the way it is and there isn’t any use in struggling or speaking out.  Passivity is seductive because it looks easier, and because the culture in both places can encourage us to be passive and go with the culturally-accepted flow.

Resistance is difficult to begin and to maintain, no matter where one lives.  For believers, the call to resist a “life as it is” mentality is a central act of discipleship.  The call to proclaim a different narrative about a different life, where the oppressed hear good news, the brokenhearted are offered comfort and treatment, the captives are freed and everyone celebrates the year of our Lord – this is a needed part of the discipline the Advent season of preparation brings.  Participation in Occupy Wall Street and like movements the world over (including the Arab Spring, ongoing protests against the coup government in Madagascar, and Palestine’s application for UN membership) – these require resistance to the status quo and belief that life and freedom are possible.  This belief is founded in our Messiah, who came to bring life and freedom to all.  As we travel through the season of Advent preparation and ready ourselves for the return of the Messiah, may we be given grace to rely ever more completely on grace, that we may be able to stand and resist “that which is” and to celebrate the real and true life Jesus brings, on his natal day and throughout the years to come.

Read Philip Vinod Peacock’s Essay, “An Alternative Look at Discipleship”
Read Teresa Chavez Sauceda’s Essay, “Resistance as the Basis of Discipleship”