Today is a wonderful day for my Partner Jason pictured in the center on the lower step and myself pictured standing to the left, with Bishop Brian Prior, IX Bishop of Minnesota and Canon Richard Norman, Jr. of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. Today, Jason was Confirmed as an Episcopalian and I was received into the Episcopal Church at a beautiful Holy Eucharist with the Rites of Confirmation, Reception and Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
It was a wonderful experience because my Partner and I were both able to share in this moment together. For myself it is a closing to a difficult chapter in my life's history and the beginning of something new and wonderful. For Jason it is a move beyond a tradition that was grounded in Biblical literalism and religion as a weapon of manipulation and control, into one that allows for a sense of personal and religious liberty, and the opportunity to think and decide for one's self what is best.
Among many things that was just wonderful about today's Liturgy is when the Bishop invited each Parish group up to Confirm, Receive or Reaffirm, he invited everyone in the group, Priest, Deacon, and lay people to join him in laying hands on the individual. As the ministry of the Holy Spirit works through all four orders of ministry in the Episcopal Church. We believe that the four orders of Ministry are the Laity, Bishops, Priests and Deacons. (See Catechism or Outline of the Faith, Book of Common Prayer, Page 855). Therefore, when the Bishop invited everyone in each Parish group to participate in the prayer of Confirmation, Reception and/or Reaffirmation he made it everyone's shared ministry.
Among this group of people participating in today's Liturgy were men, women, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Hispanics, LGBT and so many more. It was an inclusive Liturgy that was shared by all who participated. A Liturgy like that is made even more wonderful when all of us got to share in the Holy Eucharist together, as we shared the one Bread and one Cup that is Jesus Christ, really present and transforming us into Christ's Body, the Church. As is the custom of the Episcopal Church, whether one is a member of the Church or not, all are welcome at the Table of the Lord. All have a place there.
Here now is a picture of the people who were Confirmed and Received from St. Mark's Cathedral.
"When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:16-21).
This great Gospel that was used for today's Liturgy is Jesus' Inaugural Address. It is the mission of Jesus, it is the mission of the Church and all of the followers of Jesus Christ. It is a message of inclusion, compassion, mercy and love. The news that Jesus came and sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and upon all of us who were at the Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation Liturgy today, as well as the consecration and ordination of Bishop's Suffragan Bruce and Glasspool in Los Angeles, to call us to be friends of the friendless, the hope of those who have no hope, and to include all who are told that they are excluded. God's Church is an inclusive and welcoming Church, where there is room for everyone at the Table.
As a gay man who has experienced prejudice and Spiritual violence, my reception in to the Episcopal Church today is a sign of hope and tells me that I am good, just as I am, and I am God's Beloved with whom God is well-pleased. It is a day for Jason and I to be affirmed as a gay Episcopal couple who can share in God's promise of love and joy together, even as we will share in difficulties and sorrows throughout our life together.
May all of God's people find a place where they find God and know that God welcomes them home. Alleluia!
Grant, Almighty God, that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, may be renewed in your Holy Spirit, and live in righteousness and true holiness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Confirmation #11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 254).
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