One of the problems with consumerism is we often don't see
the stories behind the products that we buy. And with more and more of our
products made and sold by multi-national corporations, with much of their
manufacturing taking place offshore, those behind-the-scenes stories are
becoming less and less visible.
Yet those stories are important. And this year's Social
Justice Sunday, taking place on 30 September with the theme Peace in the
Marketplace, reminds us that consumerism often contributes to injustices,
inequities and suffering.
We need to be reminded of the harsh and unfair conditions
that people in Third World countries work
under in order to produce our goods. We need to consider the impact that our
purchases are having on the environment. And we need to reflect on what
consumerism is doing to ourselves, not just in terms of employment practices
that maximise profit and leave employees worse off, but also in terms of seeing
life through a framework that values individuals over relationships and community,
that leaves people feel worthless because they do not earn enough money or own
the right things and that leaves almost all of us in a constant state of
dissatisfaction because the advertisers keep persuading us there is something
else we need to be happy.
Social Justice Sunday also reminds us that, while many
people in our society see economic growth and consumerism as desirable, that is
not the only possible view. Considering the negative impacts economic growth
has on the environment, on people and on communities, maybe it is time we
looked for a new over-arching framework, a new way of living in and seeing the
world.
The Church must be a prophetic voice in this consumeristic,
growth-driven culture. It must be prepared to show how our economic structures
are damaging the earth and hurting people. It must be prepared to say there are
more important things than profit, growth, money and purchases. It must be
prepared to challenge the power of corporations and the way they conduct
business. And it must show the world a different way, a way that values
relationships, communities, peace and wellbeing, a way that puts people before
profits, the earth before purchases.
The bible shows us that God cares about unfair economic
structures. Therefore, Christians should care about them too. It is not an
excuse to say we didn't know. We must make it our business to know. And if we
really do care about seeing God's will done on earth, then once we know, we
must do something about it.
The National Council of Churches in
Australia has a
pamphlet and worship resources on its website (
http://www.ncca.org.au/departments/social-justice)
for Peace in the Marketplace, Social Justice Sunday, 30 September. This
wonderful prayer, based on the Beatitudes, comes from those resources.
‘Blessed are you who
are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.’
God of the poor,
We hear your voice calling us to the reality of life in our
land, in the country and in our cities.
The goodness of your creation has been twisted out of shape
by the greed of people.
The land lifts up its voice in mourning, and the poor of the
land cry out for justice.
Help us live out your just kingdom here in this part of the
earth.
‘Blessed are you who
are hungry now,
for you will be filled.’
God of the hungry,
Our indigenous brothers and sisters still struggle with
worse health
and lower life expectancy than the rest of our population;
asylum seekers still wait months and years for settlement in
safety;
the elderly, ill and unemployed struggle to live on
pensions.
Help us know how to share our resources wisely and
generously
so that all may be filled.
‘Blessed are you who
weep now,
for you will laugh.’
God of the desolate,
Young girls are exploited to sell fashion clothes,
while women slave in sweat shops for minimum wages.
Men work long hours at dangerous jobs
and young people turn to drugs and alcohol to cover their
hopelessness.
We in the developed world enjoy our luxuries
at the expense of those who struggle to make a living
growing them.
Help us protect the humanity of those who produce the goods
we use.
‘Blessed are you when
people hate you,
and when they exclude you, revile you, and
defame you.’
God of the marginal,
Governments appear to favour those with economic power,
instead of investing in education;
megastores drive small businesses to the wall;
people deafened by the strident call to consume
fail to hear the whispers of the homeless and hungry.
Help us to speak fearlessly for those with no voices,
and to remember that your grace is abundant enough for all
to share.
‘Rejoice in that day
and leap for joy,
for surely your reward is great in heaven.’
God of joy,
We pray that we who follow the way of Christ might live by
your grace,
modelling care and integrity in our business transactions,
courage and hope in our politics,
and love and reconciliation in our relationships.
May our lives be evidenced by generosity,
daring to live in hope,
that our life together might point beyond ourselves
to the One in whose image we are made.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who showed us how to live.
Amen.
Acknowledgement:
These worship resources have been compiled by Rev Dr Meryl Blair for use with
the Social Justice Sunday 2012 resource Peace in the Marketplace.
