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January 16-23, 2008

Indiana voters face identity crisis

Warm-up Question:

How would you describe yourself to someone you’ve never met?

 

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case over whether the 2005 Indiana voter identity law is constitutional. The law requires that prospective voters show an official photo ID (passport or driver’s license) at a polling place before voting.

The lawyer for the plaintiffs (Indiana’s Democratic Party) argued the Indiana law was unconstitutional because it would prevent some citizens, such as those living in poverty or who are homeless, from voting. For them, the cost of a passport or driver’s license would be prohibitive. They argued this is similar to the poll tax, used in the Jim Crow
south to keep blacks from voting. (The 24th Amendment to the Constitution repealed the poll
tax in 1964.)

The representative for the state of Indiana argued that the need to avoid voter fraud was so important that it outweighed the possible inconvenience or disfranchisement of a few people. The U.S. attorney general, arguing as a friend of the court, suggested the plaintiffs wait and present a case with actual victims.

The plaintiffs argued that, in the 2006 election, numerous eligible voters had difficulties in obtaining photo ID, or an alternative ID.

Lawyers for the two sides gave widely varied estimates of the numbers of citizens affected by the law—from a handful to as many as 400,000. The numbers, depending on whom you believe, could be enough to decide an election.

The court’s ruling is expected in June.

[For leaders: The case is more complex than it is presented here. If it would be helpful, the 81-page transcript of the entire oral argument is available at www.supremecourtus.gov .]

 

Discussion Questions

  1. How important is it for voters to prove their identities?
  2. How important is knowing the precise number of anticipated victims (people prevented from voting) of the law’s provisions?
  3. Some have suggested a free, universal photo ID system for all U.S. citizens. What do you think about this idea? What are the pros and cons?
  4. How would you prove to someone your real identity if you had lost all of your ID’s, wallet, or purse?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, January 20, 2008.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year A at Lectionary Readings.)

Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11 (8)
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
Imagine you were living in the time of today’s Gospel. You and your community have been waiting for the Messiah for centuries, but there have been so many false prophets. How would you know when the real thing arrives?

John’s statements (John 1:29-34) give us the first clue. When he saw Jesus, and the Spirit descending on him, he knew he was looking at the son of God. John didn’t have to guess or choose some rhetorical system of determining who the Messiah was. God sent the spirit, and for John it was like a huge neon arrow, pointing at Jesus.

This is in contrast with the Jewish priests sent out to question John (John 1:19-28). They were looking for some scriptural basis for determining John’s identity. They were trying to prove, in an almost scientific way, that John was or was not an anointed prophet of God. However, their hearts were not open to God’s revelation, and they were unable to perceive the new thing he was doing.

Andrew and the other follower of John were not limited or blinded by this attitude. Thus, like John, they were able to see that Jesus was the Messiah they had longed for.

Today’s Gospel is not just a historical lesson on the life of Jesus; it suggests what we modern Christians must do to find Jesus in our own lives. For us, there are so many distractions. We get caught up in personalities, peer pressure, and our own impressions of what God might be doing. These things can lead us astray. Seeing God in the world can be difficult, but it’s not complicated.

God wants us to feel, know, and trust his presence in our lives. Seeking God with open hearts and all of our senses helps us to sense the Spirit as it moves in us and in others. God’s Spirit and Word will guide us to recognize those who are pointing, like John, to the true Messiah, and will create in us the ability to follow.

Discussion Questions

  1. Today’s Gospel reports two of John’s followers (Andrew and an unnamed other)
    left him to follow Jesus. Why weren’t more of John’s followers able to make
    this decision?
  2. There were many other “prophets” at the time. What about John attracted
    his followers?
  3. How did Andrew know Jesus was the Messiah?
  4. How can you become more aware of the signs and guidance of God’s Spirit?
  5. How does the lesson of today’s Gospel help you make decisions according
    to your faith?
  6. Who are the John the Baptists in your life, pointing you toward God’s will
    and blessings?

Activity Suggestions
Read the other scriptural selections for this week. Based on each, how would you describe God and God's people?

  Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways you provide for us. You sent your son Jesus to save us from our sins and to be an example of the life you want us to lead. You sent the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts and show us your presence in our lives. Help us avoid false prophets and our own human desires and distractions so that we may stay clearly focused on your saving grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
 

Contributed by Jocelyn Breeland
Fairfax, VA

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministry. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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