Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.' " The high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?
While we have spent the last two days remembering five amazing women who have inspired Christians towards a more inclusive community, the Daily Office Lectionary has been recounting for us the trial that led up to Jesus' Passion. Here Jesus stands before those who are trying to accuse him so that he can be sentenced to death. Yet, what stands out here at least to me is that Jesus is condemned to death because he proclaims who he is.
Before I continue with this reflection I want to state very clearly that the Episcopal Church as well as I, condemns all suggestions that the Jewish people killed Jesus. We also condemn all ideas that the Jewish people must be converted to Christianity in order to be saved. Such thinking has led to anti-Judaism that has resulted in much violence and discrimination towards the Jewish people. This kind of philosophy has no place in any worship space within Christianity.
Our sins condemned Jesus to die, ultimately. Our pride, selfishness, arrogance and even our insistence that our will is more important, than the will of God. Even though Jesus confessed in so many words who he was, when he replied to the High Priest: "It is you who have said so" Jesus was still condemned to die, taking onto himself the sins of all humankind.
As I read these amazing words of what happened at Jesus' trial, I am reminded of several stories of women and men who have been beaten because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and/or questioning/queer. Many LGBTQ people have been beaten by police, ordinary citizens of various colors and creeds, all because they told people that they are LGBTQ. One such incident happened in Minneapolis in 2009 when a man was walking home from Pride weekend. He was followed by a group of Somali boys who were yelling: "I don't like gay people." It was harassment of the most immature kind. There is the incredible, yet heart breaking story of Matthew Shepard who was beaten and burned by Aaron McKinney. Last November, Jason and I attended a memorial service for more than 40 individuals who had been beaten and/or killed all over the world because they are transgendered. Many of the individuals to date, have no name given to who they were. The most amazing violence is endured by so many people, mostly because of who they are.
Violence done to individuals is not limited to sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. Over this past year our news has been inundated with how much racial and political violence is being pushed by the Tea Party. One Tea Party candidate in New Hampshire who is a confessing white supremecist wants the Tea Party to be more open with their racism. Racism is also undoubtedly behind Arizona's "papers please" immigration law. America continues to be a place where racism, sexism, heterosexism and religious bias is very much alive and well. We are all set as a society to do each other in because of our prejudices and the stereotypes that are in people's minds over minorities. Yet, we are so not in a place to discuss how our bigotry towards people of different races, cultures, classes, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions cause the divisions within American religion and politics.
Jesus was ultimately condemned to die because Jesus loved everyone who was different in society and within the religious community. Those who had been thrown aside and left out, found some one to love them in Jesus Christ. Women who were second class citizens found a best friend in Jesus, because he saw them as women and not as throw aways. Jesus saw value in the lepers, the blind, the deaf, the tax collector, the person who fished, those from foreign lands. Jesus even gave a name and face to the dead, who were the ultimate forgotten people. Because Jesus loved differently and loved those who were suppose to be unlovable, Jesus' political opponents had to work to get rid of him, because he took the focus of people off of them, and placed it where it belonged on God. Jesus' political opponent is anyone who feels that there are people in this world who have no place in the House of God, the Church. Those who are opponents of God's perfect revelation, are those who know that when God's love should go first, instead what has to go first are those people who make us uncomfortable.
At the Cross though is an amazing irony. At the Cross there is no such thing as anyone who is not welcome to be there with Jesus, except maybe those of us who are too ashamed to be caught there with everyone else who weeps at the feet of the dying Jesus in the broken-hearted, the dying, the sick, the homeless. When we choose to allow the LGBTQ person to the altar in the Episcopal Church who has been forced to leave the Catholic church because they will not compromise who they are to join the Courage Ex-gay ministry or, will not break up their relationship to be admitted to Holy Communion, we are welcoming the crucified and risen Christ. When we receive someone who has been rejected by the Church and others, we are choosing to be with Jesus as he is lonely, without someone to love and in need of acceptance and a place to live. At the Cross though is also those who need to be forgiven for every time they have slammed the door in Jesus' face when he came a knocking. It is where all failure to love God, our neighbors and ourselves finds forgiveness and an opportunity to try again. It is where everyone including LGBTQ people can stand there with Mary Magdalene who we will commemorate tomorrow, and know that we have been in the presence of God's perfect revelation, and our lives and hopefully the lives of many, many people will never be the same.
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those Who Influence Public Opinion, Book of Common Prayer, Page 827).
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 826).
No comments:
Post a Comment