This Sunday's Lectionary readings are all about new possibilities, amid very difficult obstacles. Jesus has come to free the captives, give sight to the blind and bring into the company of God's people those who have been left on the sidelines (cf. Luke 4: 16-19). The more Jesus delivers on what he said in his inaugural address, the more protest he experiences from the religious leaders of his day. Kind of like how LGBT people experience more anti-gay rhetoric the more we gain victories in marriage equality and the repeal of DADT. As LGBT individuals like Kevin Jennings get promoted to Government positions, the more the LGBT Community gets accused of attempting to infect society with the gay agenda. The more Jesus healed people, loved people, raised people from the dead, spoke of God's love in places where it had not be preached before, the more the religious establishment of his day sought to destroy him. Yet, no matter how much rejection Jesus experiences, Jesus continues to do what is right. Jesus continues the work of God in the midst of difficult times and persecution.
I like to compare the work of Jesus and the opposition he experienced to that of slain LGBT Civil Rights leader Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk lived in a time when gay men were arrested and driven away in police patty wagons just for being gay and in gay bars. Harvey Milk set up a businesse and kept running for San Francisco City Supervisor though he lost many times and business owners and others threatened his life. Once he was elected to office, even though Milk knew that fighting for a gay rights ordinance in San Francisco and defeating Proposition 6 would mean standing up to attitudes like those of Anita Bryant and Briggs, he still did the right thing. He still pushed and in the end he lost his life because of bigotry and jealousy. His sacrifice was far from wasted. In his work, he opened the doors for other LGBT people to fight for their rights. Harvey Milk's persistence lives on in the work of brave men such as Cleve Jones who's activism is so inspirational.
The work of LGBT inclusion will require some kind of sacrifice from everyone who is concerned. Human, civil and equal rights are never accomplished without the sacrifice of time, talent and commitment. Look at how many LGBT ministers, priests and other servants in church's of all kinds have lost their ministry positions and/or church's, credentials all because of their denomination's position on same-sex marriage and homosexuality. Yet many of these women and men though sorry to loose their careers have not turned back, they have continued to push forward with courage and conviction. For example, the work of Fr. Robert Nugent, SDS and Sr. Jeaninne Gramick, SL of New Ways Ministry. Even though their ministry was ordered to be shut down by then Cardinal Ratzinger, they have continued their work for LGBT Catholics and provide an outstanding witness through all that they have suffered. Though their ministry was recently condemned by Cardinal Francis George of Chicago who said that their "teaching is inauthentic in their ministry to gays" Fr. Nugent and Sr. Gramick help struggling LGBT Catholics to find meaning in their lives through healthy relationships to themselves and others. In the Episcopal Church we can look at the courageous witness of Bishop Gene Robinson who continues to receive death threats and insulting messages because he is the first openly gay Bishop. Yet, Bishop Robinson continues to be use his voice and experience to work for equality. Suffragan Bishop-Elect Mary Glasspool of the Diocese of Los Angeles only needs 5 more votes before she has reached the total number of consents she needs to be consecrated and ordained. Inspite of all the nasty remarks that have been made about her election, many Episcopal Diocesan Bishops and Standing Committees are still choosing to grant consent to the prayers and hard work of the people of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Contrary to the opinions of many, the Holy Spirit can and does work in ways that defies people's common logic.
Our readings taken from Genesis 15: 1-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35 and Psalm 27 call for us to see that "The Lord is our light and salvation." (Psalm 27:1). As we discern our work for the full inclusion of LGBT people in society and the Church do we really rely on God's help? God has given us the task and has called us by name. The work of God includes LGBT people and blesses our work for equal rights and opportunities. If God's work of salvation in Jesus Christ meant that even God would face discrimination and persecution for loving those that society and the church did not love, then we must expect that our work of equality and inclusion will also mean great sacrifice. As the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross was not the end, but the passage from death to life, so our crosses of working for justice and equality though it will cost us much, will only bring good things in the future for those who are persistent in our commitment. This requires everyone, not just a chosen few. Just as the work is not done without everyone working together, so the rewards are also celebrated by and for all.
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday of Lent, BCP, Page 218).
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