Warren’s Wonderings & Wanderings

The Lyrics from Warren Haynes’ Song “Beat Down the Dust” seem to me to be an indirect commentary on Jesus’s message in the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man that we will hear on Sunday. Using imagery that describes the characteristics of those who have advantages in our society, Haynes evokes a setting where the ‘haves’ are challenged to not beat down the dust of the poor and the oppressed under their feet. 
Lazarus was a poor man that spent his days of suffering and invisibility on the very doorstep of the rich man, who goes unnamed in Luke’s Gospel. The rich man doesn’t treat Lazarus particularly poorly. He’s not mean in action, he’s oblivious to the human suffering on his doorstep. Frankly, I cannot decide which is worse. 
When I was in seminary I had a mentor once say, “The greatest compliment you can pay anyone is to take them seriously.” He suggested that whether or not we could (or even should) help materially with the suffering of others (whether poor, oppressed, addicted, immigrant, outsider [name your outsider]) we can always acknowledge their humanity by looking them in the eye and letting them know they are seen. 
Take a look and listen to Beat Down the Dust by Warren Haynes and the Ashes and Dust Band. Review the lyrics included below and see if perhaps this ‘secular’  song might be a commentary on Sunday’s parable. 
He said “Man, there’s got to be a plan
There’s always been a plan
What’s happening ain’t right
We can’t let go of our power
‘Cause we’re rich and we’re straight and we’re white

Content with our sins
But don’t you go calling us selfish
Comfortable in our own skin
As long as it doesn’t touch anyone else’s

Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it dragging us down
Can’t have it clinging to us
Can’t have it turning us brown”

He said “Man has always been the man
That’s always been the way it should be
They don’t need to understand
As long as we make them
Believe that they’re free

And keep everyone scared
That something’s being taken away
That’s the only way to keep
Things ‘Back in the day'”

Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it dragging us down
Can’t have it clinging to us
Can’t have it turning us brown
Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it rising you see
Time to beat down the dust
Keep it off you and me

And when the day finally comes
We’ll be so far away
They’ll never know what we stole
It’ll be all hidden away
We can supply our own energy
God knows we own enough companies
Maybe even start our own country
Where all rich, white men are free

Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it dragging us down
Can’t have it clinging to us
Can’t have it turning us brown
Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it rising you see
Time to beat down the dust
Keep it off you and me

Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it dragging us down
Can’t have it clinging to us
Can’t have it turning us brown
Time to beat down the dust
Can’t have it rising you see
Time to beat down the dust
Keep it off you and me