Census data and projections, information about history and geography, and other resources for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Palau.

Coordinates federal policy in the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and oversight of federal programs and funds in the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Coordinates federal policy in the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and oversight of federal programs and funds in the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Coordinates federal policy in the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and oversight of federal programs and funds in the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

(~) Choosing Poverty
Jesus and the Redistribution of Capital
Andre Trocme

Excerpted from Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution, available FREE in
e-book format.

According to the Torah, theyear of Jubilee was to be celebrated every
seventh Sabbath of years (seven times seven). Just as the week ended with
a day of release called the Sabbath and a week of years ended with a
sabbatical year (every seventh year), each period of forty-nine years
ended with a Year of Jubilee.

What were the religious principles upon which the Year of Jubilee was
based? First, God is the owner of the land. In Leviticus 25:23 we read,
The land shall not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you
are but aliens and my tenants. At the time of the Jubilee every tribe
repossessed the land it had received when the people of Israel first
settled in Canaan. Similarly, each family regained the lands it might have
lost in the interval. In this way, even though God was the ultimate owner
of the land, he did not operate as a tyrant oppressing his people in
slavery. Rather, he acted as a good master, entrusting to his servants the
administration of his goods, which he let them enjoy, but whom he would
call to account at regular intervals and once again distribute the capital
he alone possessed. This redistribution of land prevented the accumulation
of capital in the hands of a few.

It seems that the Jubilee and the sabbatical year proved too difficult to
apply and were therefore often ignored. In vain the prophets of Israel
demanded the restoration of these institutions. In Jesus time, the Jubilee
had merely ritual significance. It was limited to celebrating the days,
months, and years, according to an orthodox calendar. When Jesus
proclaimedgood news to the poor, liberty to the captives, and sight to the
blind, his audience knew very well what he meant: now is the time to put
into effect the year of Jubilee. He was announcing that a social
revolution was underway the messianic reign had begun. For the poor, this
was good news. All things would be made right again. For those whose
interests were vested in the establishment, however, such news was a
threat...

The Gospels clearly indicate that Jesus voluntarily accepted poverty in
view of the coming kingdom. He also commanded his disciples to practice
the redistribution of their capital. During the time of Jesus, land and
flocks were the peoples only wealth, or in todays terminology, capital.
Yet Jesus taught, Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you
as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased
to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor (Luke
12:3133).

Does this mean that J