David's Reflections

“Why you should care about your multiracial friends” (By: Carmen Clemente)

According to the U.S. Census in 2020, the population of “Two or More Races” in America increased by 276% compared to the 2010 U.S. Census. Now, around 10.2% of the U.S. population identifies as being multiracial. Though the population of multiracial adults is growing at a high rate, it is still a relatively new concept. The U.S. Census Bureau had just introduced Americans’ ability to choose more than one race in 2000 (pewresearch.org).  

Growing up as a kid, and even now as an adult, I dreaded the little checkboxes under the question of what race you identify with when filling out surveys and applications.  

I identify as being biracial. My mom is Caucasian, and my dad is Filipino. So, whenever I come across this predicament of which checkbox am I going to choose over the other, a part of me feels as though this indefinitely defines who I am. But it’s only a checkbox, right?  

It is only a game of boxes until I am forced to limit myself to one checkbox that I stumble across named “other.”  

I can’t help but feel the repercussions of this one word for people who identify with more than one ethnicity. All of our unique experiences and identity crises condensed into one word that doesn’t even serve our individuality justice because it dismisses celebration and instead puts us in a box that forbids us to express who we are.  

Instead, we are the “other,” the forgotten, the marginalized. Thankfully, often you will see the checkbox “two or more races,” but even then, this should not dismiss the millions of multiracial people whose stories significantly differ from one another.  

The sad truth is that this is only a small example compared to what multiracial people have to go through throughout their lives.  

My experience as a multiracial child is vastly different from that, say, of a half Hispanic half African American child. Even though we are both biracial, our unique experiences based on our parents’ monoracial identities are completely different.  

One misconception plays out when monoracial people approach or talk to their multiracial peers. A lot of the time, they assume that all of our experiences are the same. More often than not, there is more diversity within the multiracial community than people realize.  

Moreover, I feel disappointed when people think they have me all figured out once they learn that I’m half-white and half-Asian. I’m not the only one feeling this way. According to a Pew Research study, about one in four multiracial adults “have felt annoyed because people have made assumptions about their racial background.”

There is no shame in asking a person of more than one race what they are. There is more to us than our biological makeup. Many multiracial people identify with one race over another. And though we may identify with one race, the world may see us as the other. Working through one’s racial identity, especially when your DNA is made of multiple races, can be challenging.  

For example, I am an ethnic minority, but I also pass as white, so I simultaneously experience white privilege. I feel as though my biological makeup limits me from being able to fully understand and experience the monoracial culture of both my Caucasian and Asian sides. So, where does that leave me? Often, I feel as though I’m left in the margins, that my experiences aren’t valid enough.  

What I long for is for people to be able to recognize my struggle and show compassion. I’m not asking you to understand, but to show up and offer a helping hand when I lose vision of who I am.  

We live in a world that likes to compartmentalize and label, so for multiracial adults who have to navigate through their identity in this world like me, that can be tough.  

I wish I could give you a concrete and straightforward answer to how you can be there for your multiracial friends who may be silently or not so silently going through a racial identity crisis. If I can sum it all up in one word, the best I can give you is this:  

Listen.  

Give us space to express ourselves. Give us time to tell you who we are. Give us grace and understanding when we change our minds about our racial identity.  

And please, do not put us in boxes. 

 

(Carmen is my daughter. This article was published in the Asbury Collegian, April 22, 2022.)

Dancing With a Forgiving God

Have you ever danced with a homeless person? Have you ever sat down and ate a hearty dinner with someone not like you? Have you ever celebrated the Fourth of July or an extravagant birthday party with a person from the street who smells and for obvious reasons does not belong to the joyous occasion? You probably know by now the point of these questions: Being with persons who feel like they do not belong to the moment.

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we read of the story of the son who squandered his inheritance and lived an immoral life. When he came to his senses he came back to his father. And in verse 20, we see the “father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” We saw the celebration that later issued because of the home coming. (See, Luke 15:11-32.) Here is a picture of forgiveness.

We need to remember that this parable precipitated because the Pharisees and scribes saw that Jesus was receiving sinners. He was eating and celebrating with them (Luke 15:2). As Dr. Green says: Jesus is inviting the religious person to come, and “not only to drop their concerns about Jesus but, indeed, to replicate his behavior in their own practices” (Joel B. Green. The Gospel of Luke. 1997:569).

Here are some questions for us to ponder: When was the last time you joined a celebration together with persons who are considered outcasts by today’s religious standards? Do you feel joy when you see people, those who do not belong to our church gatherings, when they come to a closer encounter with the Good News of Jesus Christ? Would you be able to embrace someone, no matter how smelly and dirty they are, knowing that God himself have embraced everyone with his forgiving arms?

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2. NIV).

Love For Outsiders

Our Lectionary Readings from the Gospels is found in Luke 4:21-30, where Jesus mentions two foreigners, Zarephath and Naaman. These two are outsiders, outside of the promise for the Chosen People, and yet they received God’s blessings, God’s provision and healing. As a result, “all in the synagogue were filled with wrath” (verse 28).   

When was the last time you saw an outsider receive God’s goodness and, as a result, your heart was troubled?

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Do you feel like an outsider or one of the Chosen People?

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!” (Psalm 71:1-2).

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.” (1 Corinthians 13:4. MSG)

Miss Trie's Story

“I am sorry for all the lies I told you.” Ms. Trie is going around asking forgiveness from her friends and relatives. You see, Ms. Trie is a new Christian. In the past, she worked as a fortune teller. She would foretell people their future and use her tarot card to promise healing for the sick. She would asked money in exchange for her services. Now, she has given her life to Jesus. She expresses this decision by burning all her books and other tools of the trade of fortune telling. She continues in this walk of faith by going around her social circle, the ones whom she read their palm and did the tarot reading, asking their forgiveness for all her deceitfulness in the past. She tells them, “Those were all lies, because only Jesus knows the future.”

Miss Trie's is from Country-VN, where one of our cross cultural worker is located. She is one of our newest Free Methodist in the global work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, do you have a similar story, like that of Ms. Trie?

New Praise Song (Psalm 146)

This week’s Lectionary Gospel Reading is from Mary’s song, The Magnificat, recorded in Luke 1:46-55. There are several themes running through the song. One dominant thought is the theme of justice—with the lines “God sending the rich empty” and “God bringing the mighty ones from their thrones,” among others. 

 

Last November 12, 2021, I wrote a song which speaks of God’s justice in the land. This song, “New Praise Song,” is based on a reading of Psalm 146. I hope that as you listen to the demo song I made, it will lead you to prayer and move you to compassion for the poor and those who are suffering among us.

 

New Praise Song (Psalm 146)

November 12 (2021)

 

Praise the Father, Praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, The Three in One.

Praise the God who created all.

Praise the Savior, we hear His call.

 

Sing a new song to our King.

All the earth, this (good) news we bring.

Oh my soul, “Praise the Lord!”

Everyone now in one accord.

 

Hallelujah! What a story!

Our Lord and God, He sets the prisoner free.

Hallelujah! The blind will see.

He takes our burdens and throws them to the sea.

 

Hallelujah! This is the day!

The widows, the orphans; God will help them stay.

Hallelujah! The stranger will say:

“The Lord reigns! He takes our sins away.”

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

David W. Clemente

November 2021

 

Illinois, USA

An Angel's Story

At one time, the angels were gathered right before the moment of the first Christmas. They were all discussing ways of announcing the Messiah’s birth. One veteran angel said: “Let us gather the heavenly host, an army of our kind, and appear to the people in the heavens right above them. Let us display our power and shine a heavenly light around them. Let us sing of God’s glory and announce our presence with loud trumpet sounds. Let us declare the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the world.” Everyone seemed to agree, except one young angel.

This young angel suggested something different. She said: “Why don’t we tone it down a little bit so that we do not scare away these earthlings. Let us use a gentle twinkling star instead. We can use a star from the east to encourage the people to search their sacred writings of a prophecy about the birth of the Messiah. Then, we can move this star to guide those who are willing to look for the Messiah.” All the angels disagreed with her, and followed the idea of the veteran angel. So, that night of the Messiah’s birth, one Chief Angel looked around for a good place to make the cosmic announcement. She chose a particular field where people and sheep were huddled together in one area.

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.” (Luke 2:8-9. MSG).

The Chief Angel saw the fear in the people’s eyes. She raised her hand and stopped all the blazing light and the sound of the marching army. She said: “Let me talk to these earthlings and go down to their level so that they can understand the announcement we are making.”

“The angel said, ‘Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:10-12. MSG).

At that moment, the angels saw the fear vanishing from the people’s faces. They started talking to each other with excitement. They wanted to see the Infant-Savior that they have heard from their grandmothers and grandfathers. It is at this point that the veteran angel made another suggestion. He said: “I think this is a good time to continue our announcement with singing and loud cosmic celebrations.”

“At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises. Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. ‘Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.’” (Luke 2:13-15. MSG).

At another time, about two years later after the first Christmas, the angels were gathered together to discuss some ways of announcing the coming of the Messiah to the people from the East. One young angel suggested using a twinkling star to encourage the people to search their sacred writings and guide them to where the Savior was staying. And all the angels agreed with her. You know the story right? You can read this in The Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12, the Story of the Magis.

*** *** ***

(By: David W. Clemente. 2021. Illinois, USA)

Joyful Children Versus Sad Rich Man

When Jesus said in Mark 10:14, “Let the children come to me,” I sometimes imagine what the children were saying to each other. Maybe they said: “Let us jump on his lap.” Or one could have said: “Let us show him the grasshopper that we caught today.” (Please read Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 19:13-15, and Luke 18:15-17).

“Please Jesus, bless my toy.” “Would you come and play Minecraft with me?” I often wonder what today’s children are saying to Jesus when they are in his presence. In the same breath, did you ever wonder what the children said to Jesus when he invited them to come forward to meet him? Maybe they were saying the same things as that of the modern child. Perhaps one child said: “Jesus, please take my pet sparrow and use it for whatever you want my pet to do.” Or another said: “Please Jesus, take these two pieces of fish and some bread that I have and give it to another child on your way to another village.” Whatever happened that day, one thing was evident. The children received Jesus’ blessing. (Mark 10:16). They went back to their homes joyful and secured in their entrance to the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:17).

In the following story in Mark 10:17-22, we see a contrast between the children and that of a rich man. This rich young man went away sorrowful and with a heavy burden, the very opposite of the joyful children. He could not let go of his riches. He could not give these to Jesus, or do what Jesus asked him to do; to sell everything, give his riches to the poor, and come and follow him.

It is noteworthy that in the three instances (or versions) of the same story, from all three Gospel narrations, Matthew chapter 19, Mark chapter 10, and Luke chapter 18, they place the two stories together—the story of Jesus blessing the children first and the the story of this rich young man next. I think the intention of the three Gospel writers here is to paint two contrasting pictures. One picture shows children going away joyful, and the other shows a rich man leaving with a heavy heart and full of sorrow.

So, in line with our attempt to contrast these two groups of persons, that of the children versus the rich young man, I would say it is fair to creatively ask the question: What did the children give to Jesus? And the answer is that they gave themselves to Jesus with no hesitation and no strings attached—with much freedom and trust in the moment.

And so, here are some questions for you: What are you bringing to Jesus? Or perhaps, a better question is “Which part of your self are you ‘selling and giving to the poor’ so that you are able to come to Jesus and follow him as your Lord and Savior?”

From the Outside, and Included

    What are the ways we are receiving outsiders into our circle of fellowship?

    At one time when an “outsider” and non-follower was seen casting out demons in Jesus name, Jesus told his disciples: “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (See, Luke 9:49-50.) The first few times I read these verses, I thought about several questions: Who is this guy, this non-follower? What kind of preaching is he saying if he does not follow along with the disciples of Jesus? What really happens when he “cast demons in Jesus name” as the biblical text tells us? Is he speaking of the salvation that comes from God?

    In later years, as I learned more about the kingdom of God that Jesus shares in the gospel story, my queries shifted and focused more on Jesus’ statement. I started asking the following questions: If this person is a non-follower of the disciples (of Jesus), could he still be a practitioner of the values of the kingdom of God? When Jesus said “do not stop him,” could this also mean encouraging the person to continue his brand of ministry or promote his pursuit of God’s kingdom values? How could this person be an outsider, a non-follower, when he is doing work in Jesus name?

    Let me revisit the first question I shared at the start: What are the ways we are receiving outsiders into our circle of fellowship? Should we listen to them? My answer is in the affirmative. This “yes” answer is even more clear when we consider another group of people that Jesus mentioned as included in God’s kingdom—children. In the preceding verses of the same chapter, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their obsession with greatness by citing the role of children in God’s kingdom. Jesus said in verse eight: “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,” (Luke 9:48a). In the eyes of the Jews, children were considered outsiders in the hierarchy of religious prestige. However, according to Jesus, including children into our circles of religious practice or thinking means welcoming Jesus himself. Outsiders are included. 

    Should we listen to these outsiders? Yes. Should we include them in our Christian talk? Yes. Should we re-evaluate all our church practices so that outsiders are able to hear and understand the gospel of the kingdom of God. Yes.

    In these times of difficulties, of people struggling with this global pandemic, let us remember that God’s heart beats for the people of the world. When we welcome outsiders and receive them into our lives, we are also receiving the heart of God—receiving the kingdom of God in our midst.

Psalm 8 (God's Sweet Visit)

One of my missionary friend told me of his experience with God’s visit. He saw God’s miracles and power in the missionary field. But, he experiences the intimate visit of God when he is out scuba diving and going under the waters watching creatures from the ocean. Another missionary friend told me that he experiences God’s sweet presence when he is taking a break and doing carpentry in his shop or work room. He imagines Jesus working with him doing wood work. Both of these friends are seeing the majesty of the Spirit of God in an intimate and renewing way.

Psalm chapter eight speaks of the majesty of God in three ways. One is that we see God’s strength from children and helpless babies. Two is that we see God’s glory from the stars and beautiful sceneries. Three is that we see God’s beauty through human efforts and people’s art work. In all these, we respond to God saying: “Oh Lord, how majestic You are!” We experience the sweet visit of the Spirit of God.

Emerging Out of Silence

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:61). These women were silent, perhaps sad, but importantly expectant of a coming miracle. They were the first ones to visit the tomb—the first ones to see our Resurrected Lord. At this juncture, however, they are simply quiet and silent. In the midst of their silence God’s victorious announcement of the Lord’s resurrection comes to them. It all started with them being silent before our God.

Henri Nouwen explains to us the value of words in the context of silence. He says: “Words can only create communion and thus new life when they embody the silence from which they emerge. As soon as we begin to take hold of each other by our words, and use words to defend ourselves or offend others, the words no longer speaks of silence. But when the word calls forth the healing and restoring stillness of its own silence, few words are needed: much can be said without much being spoken.” (The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. 1981:57). 

On this Good Friday, let God speak as we all become silent before Him. “Silence offers a way of paying attention to the Spirit of God and what He brings to the surface of our souls.” (Adele A. Calhoun. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. 2015:122). And when the time comes that we feel the need to speak, may our words emerge out of our silence. Let us all sit in front of the tomb and be silent before our God. Silence “can form your life even if it doesn’t solve your life” (Calhoun 2015:123). Receive God’s grace for you today.