Scriptural Basis
Luke 9:18-25
Blog Reflection
There is no doubt that those of us who have been following the news in Wisconsin went to bed last night, or got up this morning with a sense of deep sadness. Many individuals who care about fair wages and benefits for State workers, teachers, nurses, bus drivers, fire fighters, police officers and so on, are just disgusted by the actions of the Republican Senators in Wisconsin last night. A real evil has happened. Injustice has reared its ugly head. Individuals who are among the middle class are losing to those who have everything to gain, who have already gained more than their fair share.
It can feel as if all of the protesting and support over these past nearly three weeks just went to waste. Why protest if those protesting are only going to lose? Why support the 14 brave Wisconsin Senate Democrats if the Republicans are going to win every legislative and legal battle?
As difficult as this is for me to write, in the end what is most important is not who wins or loses. The benefits, wages and good working conditions, bargaining rights are all important. Their losses are no small matter for them, or for those who care most about progressive and liberal causes. However, what is more important, is a movement that began with a framework that calls for justice and equal rights, fairness and a respect for each other, regardless of our differences. That movement is alive. The framework is waking people up to the reality of what middle class Americans stand to lose if the corporate ownership of our Government continues. A recognition that there must be social justice for all people, if there is to be some kind of prosperity for all people. There is nothing to gain, if we are not willing to lose the safety of our comfort zones and speak up for each other in our time of crisis.
The Gospel for today invites all of us to respond to the question Jesus asks: "Who do you say that I am?"
Are we ready to respond with Peter's reply? "You are the Messiah of God."
If we respond with Peter, we are saying that we believe that Jesus who is God's perfect revelation, is not only some old Gospel story. We are saying that God is present in all people whom God has "fearfully and wonderfully made." This very realization should change the framework of our movement for justice, inclusion and equality for all marginalized persons including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.
If we answer with Peter that Jesus is God's perfect revelation, then we must also be ready to hear what Jesus said after Peter's response. Jesus took upon himself the sins of all of us, and in a sacrifice of love gave his most precious life for all of God's people.
Do we believe this too?
In addition to the news in Wisconsin, we have also heard the story today, of how Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota (my own congressperson, of whom I am very proud), broke down while defending the life and reputation of Muhammad Hamdani, a 23 year old Muslim American who gave his life on September 11, 2001. Rep. Peter King is holding hearings singling out Muslim Americans for "aiding and abetting terrorism."
If we as Christians believe that Jesus is the revelation of God, and that he gave his life for all of God's people, we must also understand that the cross on which Jesus died, is not an excuse for scapegoating people who are different than ourselves. The cross does not mean that Christians hold a monopoly on truth. The cross does not justify our attitudes of prejudice and violent behavior towards individuals that we do not totally identify with.
Jesus then calls upon all of us who claim to be Christ's followers to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus tells us to "deny ourselves."
In those very words "deny ourselves" sounds like we are being told to not be who we are. Many evangelistic preachers will use this scripture to tell questioning individuals that if they are attracted to members of the same-sex, or feel like they really are a different gender than the one they were born with, that they should "deny themselves" and just accept the Gospel and that Jesus died for their sins, and they will be okay. Ex-gay groups like Exodus and the Catholic churches group Courage suggest that they "help" their ex-gay individuals by telling them to "deny themselves" the "wages of sin that homosexuality offers." Being an ex-gay survivor myself, I can speak quite well to how erroneous such claims are. We are the Christ who has been sent to be that hand, eye and heart for those who are in need of being put in touch with God's presence. We can do that, when we take up our cross and follow God in our hearts by serving others.
Prayers
Luke 9:18-25
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
Once when Jesus* was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ 19They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ 20He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah* of God.’
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’
Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
Blog Reflection
There is no doubt that those of us who have been following the news in Wisconsin went to bed last night, or got up this morning with a sense of deep sadness. Many individuals who care about fair wages and benefits for State workers, teachers, nurses, bus drivers, fire fighters, police officers and so on, are just disgusted by the actions of the Republican Senators in Wisconsin last night. A real evil has happened. Injustice has reared its ugly head. Individuals who are among the middle class are losing to those who have everything to gain, who have already gained more than their fair share.
It can feel as if all of the protesting and support over these past nearly three weeks just went to waste. Why protest if those protesting are only going to lose? Why support the 14 brave Wisconsin Senate Democrats if the Republicans are going to win every legislative and legal battle?
As difficult as this is for me to write, in the end what is most important is not who wins or loses. The benefits, wages and good working conditions, bargaining rights are all important. Their losses are no small matter for them, or for those who care most about progressive and liberal causes. However, what is more important, is a movement that began with a framework that calls for justice and equal rights, fairness and a respect for each other, regardless of our differences. That movement is alive. The framework is waking people up to the reality of what middle class Americans stand to lose if the corporate ownership of our Government continues. A recognition that there must be social justice for all people, if there is to be some kind of prosperity for all people. There is nothing to gain, if we are not willing to lose the safety of our comfort zones and speak up for each other in our time of crisis.
The Gospel for today invites all of us to respond to the question Jesus asks: "Who do you say that I am?"
Are we ready to respond with Peter's reply? "You are the Messiah of God."
If we respond with Peter, we are saying that we believe that Jesus who is God's perfect revelation, is not only some old Gospel story. We are saying that God is present in all people whom God has "fearfully and wonderfully made." This very realization should change the framework of our movement for justice, inclusion and equality for all marginalized persons including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.
If we answer with Peter that Jesus is God's perfect revelation, then we must also be ready to hear what Jesus said after Peter's response. Jesus took upon himself the sins of all of us, and in a sacrifice of love gave his most precious life for all of God's people.
Do we believe this too?
In addition to the news in Wisconsin, we have also heard the story today, of how Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota (my own congressperson, of whom I am very proud), broke down while defending the life and reputation of Muhammad Hamdani, a 23 year old Muslim American who gave his life on September 11, 2001. Rep. Peter King is holding hearings singling out Muslim Americans for "aiding and abetting terrorism."
If we as Christians believe that Jesus is the revelation of God, and that he gave his life for all of God's people, we must also understand that the cross on which Jesus died, is not an excuse for scapegoating people who are different than ourselves. The cross does not mean that Christians hold a monopoly on truth. The cross does not justify our attitudes of prejudice and violent behavior towards individuals that we do not totally identify with.
Jesus then calls upon all of us who claim to be Christ's followers to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus tells us to "deny ourselves."
In those very words "deny ourselves" sounds like we are being told to not be who we are. Many evangelistic preachers will use this scripture to tell questioning individuals that if they are attracted to members of the same-sex, or feel like they really are a different gender than the one they were born with, that they should "deny themselves" and just accept the Gospel and that Jesus died for their sins, and they will be okay. Ex-gay groups like Exodus and the Catholic churches group Courage suggest that they "help" their ex-gay individuals by telling them to "deny themselves" the "wages of sin that homosexuality offers." Being an ex-gay survivor myself, I can speak quite well to how erroneous such claims are.
What does it mean for LGBT Christians to "deny" ourselves and pick up our cross?
I would suggest that we "deny" ourselves when we come out to ourselves and others about who we really are. Our choice to come out and be who we are, and be proud of who we are, often opens up ourselves to a cross that only other LGBT people understand. The very fact that we risk the comforts of living a lie that affords us things that should not be ours based on a lie, is a way of denying ourselves. The family business that we could share in, if only we do not come out. The college money many Christian parents will with hold from their daughter or son if she/he comes out. The job we lost just because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. These are ways in which LGBT people deny themselves, by accepting that our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is a source of great pain that we have to bear because of ignorance and prejudice. When we deny ourselves by being who we are, and loving our partners even while the Christianists continue to speak ugly anti-LGBT rhetoric.
As LGBT people we "carry our cross" when we devote ourselves to our partner/boyfriend/girlfriend, significant other (pick your own word here). When we chose to love her or him, even if they have habits and problems that weigh us down sometimes. When we chose to love that friend that many in the LGBT communities over look, because of her or his challenge, color, appearance, religious beliefs or lack thereof, or any other issue, we are carrying our cross. When we take the time to devote ourselves to the work of justice, inclusion and equality for not only ourselves, but others who experience oppression and injustice, we are carrying our cross.
The cross is our opportunity to embrace the life that Jesus died for. The cross is the opportunity for us to love differently and make a sacrifice for others. The cross is our reason to work towards justice, equality and inclusion. The cross is our purpose to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." This includes the muslim, the LGBT, the women, the African Americans, etc. This is also a call for LGBT people to be concerned about justice for others who are different from us. Like the workers in Wisconsin, Indiana, New Jersey and all over. The cross means, we cannot turn our heads and ignore those who are poor, homeless, without dignity and opportunity for prosperity and justice. The cross means we cannot ignore the oppression we experience as LGBT people, while at the same time being concerned about the oppression of others.
As we continue through this Lenten journey, I think it is good to remind ourselves about who we are in this Lent for. We are in it for our own spiritual journey, that is true. But we are also in it for the sake of others who like ourselves as LGBT people, are in need of that help that only we can give.
The prayer of St. Theresa says; "Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks, compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth, but yours." (borrowed from John Micheal Talbot).
Prayers
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 33).
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer, page 217).
Look with pity, O Holy One, 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).
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