St. Alban: Martyr and His Contribution to Inclusion

Scriptural Basis

1 John 3:13-16 (NRSV)

 

Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

Now contrast 1 John with the Gospel chosen for today's commemoration


 Matthew 10:34-42 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one's foes will be members of one's own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Blog Reflection

Well, which is it?  The reading from 1 John tells us to not be surprised if we are hated by others, and that anyone who hate's their sister or brother is a murderer.  In Matthew we have Jesus telling us that because of him family will reject family members and whoever loves their family more than him is not worthy of Jesus.  Is it any more shocking to find even Biblical writers suggesting such hypocrisy?

St. Alban was not martyred by other Christians.  Alban was killed by a judge who did not share his faith, and thought he was a threat to his own way of life.  Does this sound familiar?

Today our world and Christian faith is so fractured by people who hate each other. Many Christianists and other arch-conservatives have been using hate language towards any church body that decides to ordain openly gay or lesbian clergy.  

Just a few weeks ago 70 United Methodist Ministers in Minnesota signed a statement that they will perform the blessings of same-sex couples in marriage, even against the wishes of their denomination.

As the marriage equality debate unfolds in New York, Christian groups for and against it's passage have spoken out.  Yet, the group of individuals who get the most media coverage are those who are against marriage equality. 

Truth is very unpopular in the world of the news media.  Sensationalism caused by scandal and prejudice.  Now that is a money, uh news maker. 

LGBT and marriage equality are not the only issues that separate Christian groups.  The issues of health care reform, keeping Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, immigration reform, workers rights and what a government should or should not do to help and protect the most vulnerable of persons. A woman's access to quality reproductive health care, education, job training and safety from sex discrimination in the workplace etc.  All of these issues now divide Christians, and other political and social groups.

In our Scripture readings today, we are called to recognize within one another the very existence and importance of God's transformative presence.  There is no individual who is here on this earth who is a throw away in God's mind.  Many Christians and others have become way too comfortable and empathetic to regarding people who are different from ourselves as being expendable. 

Wars are started faster than they are finished.  We can rush to place troops and whole communities in the path of harm and destruction.  But, it takes over a thousand lives lost and billions of tax payer dollars spent on weapons and politics to end the war and bring the veterans home. 

Veterans who come home, come only to face a nation with political leaders who are trying to crush their benefit programs.  A government funded health care program that is also broken and in need of oversight and additional support.  Yes, I am talking about Veteran's Administration hospitals.   As wonderful as these institutions are, there is so much work to be done to make them a better place for those who come home with post traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses and injuries.

We can spend billions of dollars in big oil subsidies and tax breaks for people making more money for one person than a low income family of four can afford a place to live. 

Do we not see how our corruption in politics is destroying and murdering our sisters and brothers around us?

Do we not see how religious discrimination is destructive to the Christian faith as well as to Muslims, Jews, Buddhists etc?

Can we not see how we are no better than the judge who saw St. Alban a newly converted Christian as a threat to the "established way of life" and killed him, out of ignorance and fear?

Can families not see that rejecting their daughters or sons because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is not living up to Christ's statement about loving him more than family? 

To love Christ more than family, is to see that there are no outcasts in the eyes of God and that all are welcome into the company of God's Church to receive the ministry of reconciliation and healing.  And, become a symbol of that reconciliation and healing with the world around them.  

The person and ministry of Jesus Christ is not rooted in bigotry, violence and leaving the marginalized of society and the Church with no way out. 

Government is not God, but God loves it when Government serves people first and corporate interests last. 

St. Alban's martyrdom is a contribution to inclusion because it reminds us all that there will always be surprises in life.  Things in life whether a Christian or not,  straight or not, white or not, male or female are certainly not without challenges.  As long as we are willing to face our future being true to who we are and committed to doing God's work, even the greatest dangers before us, are something we can face.  Because God is there to help us and see us through.

People are cruel and stupid.  People will always let us down.  Sometimes it can seem as if God does not care when anti-equality activists get their way.  But God is there with us.  Experiencing our emotional trials with us and strengthening us to keep going in the struggle.  Never give up.  Never give in.  In Jesus, God has given us every reason to hang on and win the prize.

Prayers

Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember him in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Alban, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 435).



Look with pity, O God, 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).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, page 833).