“Faith Matters” is a column that features pieces written by local religious figures. “A little child shall lead them” – Isaiah 11:6 “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”  — Matthew 18:2-3 Some th ings must be experienced personally to fully appreciate their magnificence, beauty or awe-inspiring nature.  The Grand Canyon, the Amalfi Coast, Michaelangelo’s sculpture David, the Great Wall and the Sistine Chapel come to mind as a few.  Grandchildren fit that description for me as well.  So much so that I could define life in two stages: BG (before grandkids) and AG (after grandkids).  In the BG stage, I was a bit skeptical at the joy that friends would express when talking about their grandchildren.  In the AG stage, I find myself wondering how they could have been so sparse and restrained in their expression of joy and affection for their grandchildren as I can barely contain myself. My 5-year-old granddaughter and my 4-year-old grandson recently spent three weeks with my wife and me.  They were full of energy and wore us out.  One morning as I was awakening, I heard my granddaughter shout out from another room, “Gaga, I think we have a problem.”  I couldn’t help but smile when I heard her exclamation.  First, I knew she was calling on her beloved grandmother. Secondly, I was impressed that a 5-year-old could so succinctly assess her situation.  Perhaps a child might provide a path to handling our problems/situations.   When we find ourselves in a perilous situation, we need to know who we can call to help us in our situation.  No matter what your station, life’s problems are eased by having someone (or something) to call on for help.  It also helps to recognize where you stand or your place in your predicament.  Possessing a strong sense of identity and recognition, being able to say “I” and to identify the “I-Self.”  William James, the American philosopher who is considered the father of modern psychology, describes us as having a I- self and a Me- self, with the I-self observing the outside world and the Me- self looking inside and observing just ourselves.  James postulates that the meaning in our life occurs while we are in the I-self (in relationship with the outside world). Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, “As he thinks in his heart so is he.”  Discernment is critical in assessing one’s situation and charting a path along life’s journey.  Recognizing, pondering, and acting upon life’s changing kaleidoscope provides the opportunity for a fulfilled, meaningful and enriching life.  Thinking is life’s vital currency. An African proverb instructs us, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  In our moments of challenge, scarcity, and resistance, having a community that surrounds us is life giving and life sustaining. We can move from a stance and posture of the individual “I” to a more powerful and grounded collective of “we.” As such our problem-solving capacity and capability is multiplied and enriched.  Our problem ceases to overwhelm us, and our joy may be full. Gaga, I think we have a problem.  God, I think we have a problem. Yes, God, I think we have a problem.  I think we have lost our way.  In Mark 12: 28-30, when answering the question of what is the first and greatest commandment, Jesus starts with the Shema (Deuteronomy 6), “Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is one, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.:  The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no greater commandment than these.” Jonathan Butler sings the song “Falling in Love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done.”  However, we see so many who do not seek your face and are not able to experience first-hand the joy that is experienced in finding your Beauty and the Truth that emanates from it.  Similarly, we do not value our neighbor as ourselves.  We create fiefdoms of red versus blue, black/brown versus white, native versus immigrant/migrant. We have lost our moral core.  We have forgotten that we are all made in your image and created to be our brother’s keeper. Previous ​“Faith Matters” columns: • What A True “Christian Nation” Looks Like• Faith Matters: Uncertainty Bears Possibility• Faith Against Evil• A “Faith Matters” Pilgrimage: The Camino de Santiago• God’s Greatest Work• After The Resurrection: Now What?• Let’s Join A Love Revolution• From Redemption to Revelation • Self-Restraint In The Age Of Distraction• Faith Matters: Will You Cross The Road?• Faith Matters: Jesus Remembered Immigrants• Faith Matters: 17 Steps To Self-Care• Extreme Compassion• Put A Shovel In The Ground• Start With The Foundation• True Sanctuary• Kingdom Questions• Faith Matters: Faith Over Fear• Faith Matters: Scar Glory• Faith (Still) Matters• Missions Ride on Faith• Why I’m Called To March• Faith Matters: Not Moonwalking• My Prayer For Peace Unity• Faith Matters: Belief In Action• Faith Matters: Gaza  Ramadan• Faith Matters: On Passover  Redemption• Faith Matters: Freedom Struggles  Holy Week• Faith Matters: Welcome The Stranger• Faith Matters: Beyond Neutrality• Faith Matters: The Lightened Yoke Is Love• Faith Matters: Combat Negativity With Compassion• Faith Matters: In The Middle• Faith Matters: Three Scandals• Faith Matters: The Three Hounds Of Hell• Faith Matters: In Praise Of Empathy• Faith Matters: Focus On God• Faith Matters: How To Say Goodbye• Missing Catherine• Faith Matters: Divine Light In Times Of Darkness• Jesus Islam• Faith  Famine• A Stick Of Faith• Faith Matters: For All The Saints• Waters That Unite Us• Jumping To Conclusions• Faith Matters: The Miracle The Message God, I think we have a problem.  Money, wealth, status have become an idol god and the only value that many care about.  As the world has minted its first trillionaire and the stock market reaches record highs, we see that the income inequality gap has reached record levels, with the top 10 percent of earners holding 68 percent of the nation’s wealth and the bottom 50 percent holding roughly 2 1/2 percent.  In New Haven, approximately 25 percent of the population is below the poverty line while we see the billionaire class receive massive tax breaks and tax advantages while draconian cuts are made to the social safety net; Medicaid, rural hospitals, SNAP benefits, affordable childcare, rising health care costs and a host of other initiatives are all collateral damage.  As Marvin Gaye sang in Inner City Blues, “It makes me wanna holla and throw up both my hands! God, I think we have a problem.  In moments like these, if we but think, we come to realize and understand that while we are not in control, we are not alone. We can call upon God.  Yes, for in Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Yes, my friends, no matter your problem or your obstacle, recognize that calling upon your higher power and joining in community, in collaboration, with like minded individuals will point the way to victory. And it will lead to finding a way to solve life’s problems no matter how intractable they may seem.  Like the little children who Jesus said would lead us, we just need to practice and exhibit faith, love, trust, hope, and inclusion.  In closing, God has given you the gift of life.  My hope is that you truly treasure that gift and come to know it as a sacred gift and, in doing so, choose to live a sacred life of purpose, meaning, and justice.  Namaste. Reverend Hiram L. Brett is Spiritual Care Coordinator and Chaplain at Connecticut MentalHealth Center (CMHC) and serves as Chairman of the Gateway Community College Foundation Board. His ministry encompasses providing chaplaincy services to marginalized and vulnerable patients and families. The post Gaga, I Think We Have A Problem appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less