Luke 19:41-48 - list issues facing Philadelphia and what we can do to make things better.

The first two verses say: "As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

Although I consider myself a Philadelphian, I no longer live IN Philadelphia. Working at Penn and worshipping at OFR, I spend a LOT of time in Philly, sometimes more waking hours than I spend in Oaklyn. And the issues I think are facing Philly are similar to those facing Oaklyn and our country at large.

What I think we need to work on:

* Education - Education is the equalizer. Without a proper education, there is less of a chance for the "American Dream". We watch by the sidelines as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. And education seems to be under siege these days. Definitely in Philadelphia, but also here in Oaklyn, and I am guessing in many areas where there is a large concentration of people in need. Without access to quality education, "at risk" kids do not have a chance...and, sadly, I think that is what many of the people in power want.

* Discourse - People just do NOT know how to disagree and debate. This is true in Philadelphia where politics "as usual" reigns, but also I see it in online discourse (and to a lesser effect in person) as people with opposing views would rather attack and run than debate and find compromise.

* Voice - As I have been saying to many of my friends, we seem to have government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. No matter the side of the aisle, one must be rich to run.... so the voice of the needy is seldom heard and often ignored.

So what can we do? I think we need to be involved in our local schools, we need to hold officials accountable, especially in local areas, and we need to do what we can, also understanding that the playing field at home is not level and teachers have our kids for 7 hours day, and that the other 17 matter greatly. For discourse, all I can think is that I want to continue to be positive and try to model good debate, I do not want to fall into the cycle of name calling. I try hard to abide, it is not always easy. And for voice, I am not sure. Short of a revolution (which cause more issues than it might solve), I am not sure how to expand the voice of the needy, but I have to admire the work of POWER and I am glad that OFR is so involved.

And, finally, yes, I know this post is long in issues, and short in solutions....but I think the goal of this Advent exercise was to bring out issues and review them regularly....noting that these are large issues that need constant attention. And attend to them I will try.