The original Gospel that was used for today's Divine Office unfortunately did not use what I think is the most important part of all Jesus was saying in John 8:33-47. I think they should have started with verses 31 and 32 and so those are the verses I am going to use and comment on today.
John 8:31-32 says: "Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people we are in what appears never ending trouble over what is the truth about our sexual orientation and/or gender identities/relationships. We are also in a conflict with the religious and political right over what our being LGBT means in terms of our jobs, relationships, service in the military, immigration laws and the list could go on and on. Churches have been in controversial discussions over whether being LGBT means we are fit for service as lay leaders, priests, bishops and/or whether our relationships should be celebrated in liturgical services as unions or marriages.
Those in the religious and civil right and others who lean in that direction continue to debate with the broader public as well as the LGBT community over what is the truth about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. Ex-gay ministries love to advertise themselves as leading those of us who are "afflicted" with same-sex attraction away from what they call self-destructive behavior and it is all based on the word of God, the Bible.
With all of this in mind, I want to dare to venture to take a page from the Catholic church and a rather conservative now retired Bishop who at that time said something I think is truly profound. He said that as Catholics we are not only to regard what Jesus said as the Word of God, but also what Jesus did is also the Word of God. I do not mind saying that the Bishop who said this is Bishop David Foley the now retired Bishop of Birmingham, Alabama, the home of EWTN and Mother Angelica's reactionary and conservative religious community. What disappoints not only myself but other LGBT and other minorities I am sure, is that if what Jesus did is also the Word of God then we also have to take that very seriously. When all Christian charity appears to stop at one's sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity, and our pursuit of marriage equality and the protection of our civil and human rights under the laws of our land, then how exactly is that honoring the Truth who is Jesus Christ and who loved everyone? How is the Truth who is Jesus Christ uplifted and glorified if those who call themselves Christians continue in an attitude of wanting to annihilate an entire group of people only on the basis of who we love in the privacy of our own homes? How does recognizing the Person of Jesus Christ in everyone except the homosexual, bisexual and transgendered individuals, couples and families means that the Truth has set anyone free?
Shortly after I came out after leaving Courage one of the people who gave me her shortest and best counsel said: "Isn't it interesting what happens when we surrender to the Holy Spirit, versus trying to suppress her?" When I finally came out again, and admitted that I am gay and how I want to be in love with another man, the truth once again took hold of me. At that moment I was released from the bitter bondage of the bad attitudes I had learned towards myself, my own family and so many other things, people and places. I was finally set free, because I had faced and accepted the truth about myself. This story is repeated by so many LGBT individuals who have shared the news with me that at one point in time they were ready to commit suicide over their sexual orientation. Once they had accepted themselves as LGBT all thoughts of ending their lives ceased and a new joy and comfort within themselves was finally allowed to live and grow.
Jesus Christ offers everyone including those marginalized by society and the Church the chance to come face to face with who they are, and learn to love themselves as God loves them. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people like any one person or group of people have to find their personal dignity, value, integrity and respect in their own hearts and minds so that we may know that we are LGBT and not only is it good, it is absolutely wonderful. We can serve Christ, the Church and the world best when we are first true to ourselves, and develop a healthy attitude about who we are and live as compassionate and caring people. In a world and Church where LGBT people struggle to be included, it is ever more imperative that we are prepared to include ourselves where ever and how ever we find opportunities.
As we work for marriage equality and civil rights, full inclusion in society and the Church we must allow ourselves those places and opportunities where we can place our unique ways of loving and see that as our gifts at be placed at the service of other LGBT people and even those who are not. As difficult as it is, we can even offer the good of who we are to those who oppose our rights. Isn't it amazing that those who are seeking to be allowed to serve in the US Military when DADT is repealed will be helping to defend the freedom of those who supported DADT's ending and those who were opposed? Is that not just a wonderful fulfillment of Jesus' call to love and serve our enemies? Just look at the opportunity they have to look forward to some day.
What truths about ourselves do we need to accept so that Jesus can set us free? Do we trust in God to set us free knowing God's truth about us, or are we too focused on anti-gay rhetoric? What are some things we do to help us in those times when we find ourselves again focusing on anti-gay rhetoric rather than the truth about who we are? What are some ways in which we can include ourselves to help others know the truth about LGBT people?
Asking the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts with her unique style of calming and challenging us are a great way to help us answer these and other questions we might have so that we may know that Truth who is Jesus Christ, that we may be set free.
John 8:31-32 says: "Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people we are in what appears never ending trouble over what is the truth about our sexual orientation and/or gender identities/relationships. We are also in a conflict with the religious and political right over what our being LGBT means in terms of our jobs, relationships, service in the military, immigration laws and the list could go on and on. Churches have been in controversial discussions over whether being LGBT means we are fit for service as lay leaders, priests, bishops and/or whether our relationships should be celebrated in liturgical services as unions or marriages.
Those in the religious and civil right and others who lean in that direction continue to debate with the broader public as well as the LGBT community over what is the truth about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. Ex-gay ministries love to advertise themselves as leading those of us who are "afflicted" with same-sex attraction away from what they call self-destructive behavior and it is all based on the word of God, the Bible.
With all of this in mind, I want to dare to venture to take a page from the Catholic church and a rather conservative now retired Bishop who at that time said something I think is truly profound. He said that as Catholics we are not only to regard what Jesus said as the Word of God, but also what Jesus did is also the Word of God. I do not mind saying that the Bishop who said this is Bishop David Foley the now retired Bishop of Birmingham, Alabama, the home of EWTN and Mother Angelica's reactionary and conservative religious community. What disappoints not only myself but other LGBT and other minorities I am sure, is that if what Jesus did is also the Word of God then we also have to take that very seriously. When all Christian charity appears to stop at one's sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity, and our pursuit of marriage equality and the protection of our civil and human rights under the laws of our land, then how exactly is that honoring the Truth who is Jesus Christ and who loved everyone? How is the Truth who is Jesus Christ uplifted and glorified if those who call themselves Christians continue in an attitude of wanting to annihilate an entire group of people only on the basis of who we love in the privacy of our own homes? How does recognizing the Person of Jesus Christ in everyone except the homosexual, bisexual and transgendered individuals, couples and families means that the Truth has set anyone free?
Shortly after I came out after leaving Courage one of the people who gave me her shortest and best counsel said: "Isn't it interesting what happens when we surrender to the Holy Spirit, versus trying to suppress her?" When I finally came out again, and admitted that I am gay and how I want to be in love with another man, the truth once again took hold of me. At that moment I was released from the bitter bondage of the bad attitudes I had learned towards myself, my own family and so many other things, people and places. I was finally set free, because I had faced and accepted the truth about myself. This story is repeated by so many LGBT individuals who have shared the news with me that at one point in time they were ready to commit suicide over their sexual orientation. Once they had accepted themselves as LGBT all thoughts of ending their lives ceased and a new joy and comfort within themselves was finally allowed to live and grow.
Jesus Christ offers everyone including those marginalized by society and the Church the chance to come face to face with who they are, and learn to love themselves as God loves them. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people like any one person or group of people have to find their personal dignity, value, integrity and respect in their own hearts and minds so that we may know that we are LGBT and not only is it good, it is absolutely wonderful. We can serve Christ, the Church and the world best when we are first true to ourselves, and develop a healthy attitude about who we are and live as compassionate and caring people. In a world and Church where LGBT people struggle to be included, it is ever more imperative that we are prepared to include ourselves where ever and how ever we find opportunities.
As we work for marriage equality and civil rights, full inclusion in society and the Church we must allow ourselves those places and opportunities where we can place our unique ways of loving and see that as our gifts at be placed at the service of other LGBT people and even those who are not. As difficult as it is, we can even offer the good of who we are to those who oppose our rights. Isn't it amazing that those who are seeking to be allowed to serve in the US Military when DADT is repealed will be helping to defend the freedom of those who supported DADT's ending and those who were opposed? Is that not just a wonderful fulfillment of Jesus' call to love and serve our enemies? Just look at the opportunity they have to look forward to some day.
What truths about ourselves do we need to accept so that Jesus can set us free? Do we trust in God to set us free knowing God's truth about us, or are we too focused on anti-gay rhetoric? What are some things we do to help us in those times when we find ourselves again focusing on anti-gay rhetoric rather than the truth about who we are? What are some ways in which we can include ourselves to help others know the truth about LGBT people?
Asking the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts with her unique style of calming and challenging us are a great way to help us answer these and other questions we might have so that we may know that Truth who is Jesus Christ, that we may be set free.
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known o us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.BCP, Page 216). (Collect for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany,
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