In the wake of Christmas, we can see the end of this historic year. 360 days ago, very few foresaw the economic disaster of the past twelve months. The real stories,of loss, as we know, are not on Wall Street but in the many neighborhoods of the world where families have lost jobs, homes and cars. We don't want to see the similarities between the two pictures, above. It seems too frightening to think that somehow the mistakes of the late 1920s have been repeated eighty years later. How could we let greed get such a grip on so many of us? Yet, all the evidence shows that we are sinking into a depression.
The two pictures tell a story of twin times. Now, yet again, we see a story of loss, worry and, most of all, the need for Love. Love is never more important than in times of high fear.
Caregiving will take on added meeting as the new year arrives. We'd all like to think that the rising lack of material riches will remind us of the precious nature of the intangible. This may feel like cold comfort to those who have seen cherished homesteads vanish into foreclosure.
The Depression of the 1930s is receiving renewed attention as we face a 21st century version of our own economic trouble. Some will dig deeper to help. Still others will despair. And a rising number will pull down the blinds and try to hide.
The most disturbing image I came across in searching pictures from the Depression was this one:
The image suggests a story in which a community is turning away others in favor of "their own." Who do we "own" and whom do we choose to forsake? Those that erected the sign no doubt thought of themselves as good Christians as they turned their backs on strangers.
In which category will we find ourselves and those we see as "strangers" as the new year dawns? Need calls out for Love. Will we find the strength to discover the Radical Love introduced to the world two thousand years ago?
How do you see your own life of caregiving as this year draws to a close and a new one dawns?
-Erie Chapman
Journal of Sacred Work 
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