Genesis 37: 17-20 (NRSV)
The man said, ‘They have gone away, for I heard them say, “Let us go to Dothan.” ’ So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, ‘Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.’
Ephesians 6: 10-20 (NRSV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
Luke 6: 27-36 (NRSV)
Jesus said: ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Blog Reflection
Shortly after I came out, I began to consider dating a man. He was handsome. Downright sexy. He was intelligent and like me; quite opinionated. As we got to know each other there came in me some doubts as to whether he was the right man for me to date. I was not sure exactly what I wanted to do just yet. That decision was made very clear when in a phone conversation with him, this handsome, sexy, intelligent and opinionated man announced to me that he felt that black people should not be afforded the same rights and opportunities as white people. He further stated that he felt that most African Americans were trying to "screw the system" with their playing of the race card all the time. My reaction was one of shock, disbelief and one of the few times I was totally speechless. I could not even respond. After a brief period of silence, the individual told me I could say good bye if I wanted to. I responded to him: "I have to at this point. I just cannot date a man who like me is already experiencing the discrimination and inequality on the basis of our sexual orientation, yet feels that he is justified with having the same attitudes of discrimination and inequality towards African Americans."
I have said on many occasions that if someone had told me that there was racial discrimination in the LGBTQ communities before I came out, I would never have believed it.
At the same time, over these past years I have had to confront within myself; my own attitudes and behaviors passed on to me by my own family with their own racist opinions and behaviors. I like to say I am not a racist, but there are still those messages of inequality in my own attitudes and behaviors that show up from time to time. When I find them, I am totally embarrassed and ashamed. I have to pray to God to help me to notice them and route them out of my life.
This yearly commemoration of the Late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on what would have been his 83rd Birthday today, reminds us that there is prejudice and injustice in our world. These are not good for ourselves, society or any community worldwide. These are social diseases that must be routed out of us with Godspeed at our backs. They do not reflect a Christian Church or society by any means.
Prejudice and injustice are not new to the Christian Faith. The Christian Church has played out roles of prejudice and even violence towards people of different races, religions, sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions, genders, cultural backgrounds, languages, wealth status, health status, etc. There are many Christians who make use of the Bible and/or the basic doctrines of Christianity to justify prejudice and violence towards those who are different. The Church still has much work to do as well as take up the cause of equality and justice for all peoples. No single Church denomination or body is exempt from the need to continue to work on these and other issues.
We read in Genesis today a portion of the story of Joseph's brothers planning to trap Joseph and sell him to slavery. The wickedness that is in the hearts of Joseph's brothers has played itself over and over as many European White Christian countries took it upon themselves to decide who should have the opportunities to be free and prosper and who should be "owned" by them. The scenario played continuing versions as the English Empire sought to colonize Africa, Asia and also the Native Americans as they came to the shores of the new world that is now America.
There is another scenario that has also played itself out from the story of Joseph and his brothers in societies repetitiously. Later in the narrative Joseph becomes appreciated for his ability to dream and support the king of where he had been enslaved. Joseph eventually ascends to the throne and then the two brothers who had sold him into slavery come to him seeking help when they are experiencing severe famine. Joseph does not take revenge, but instead exercises mercy and forgiveness. The tables are suddenly turned. The "slave" becomes the one who frees those who are also enslaved.
Last year when I attended Creating Change 2011; those of us who were part of Practice Spirit, Do Justice experienced an amazing healing as Native Americans led us through exercises to help us understand what the oppression of their people was like under the white Christian settlers. They also showed us through an amazing ritual dance how all of us can become part of the healing of all humankind, by simply recognizing that all of us are connected to each other.
Paul in his letter to the Ephesians invites us to put on the whole armor of God. He reminds us that what makes us Christians, gives the ability to do the work of reconciliation and hospitality. It often seems like a great war. Rather than focus on the imagery of a battle field; I believe St. Paul encourages us to see the conflict of social injustice and inequality to be a struggle with the spiritual forces that are trying to stigmatize. Using all of the great elements of what makes us Christian; truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the Holy Spirit's voice as we listen to the Scriptures. The challenge is to not read the Bible with our prejudices intact; but to let our Mother the Holy Spirit rip open our Pandoras Boxes and help us see new insights.
This past year, we have witnessed some amazing attacks against people because of their race.
The moves by States to enact laws that require voter ID's to exercise our constitutional rights to vote, impact those who are already disenfranchised because of race, income background and/or even age.
Those who are already marginalized by a broken system, experience deeper infringements as laws are passed to deny immigrants the opportunity to not be unfairly profiled or imprisoned. Such was the case with the anti-immigration law in Alabama by which illegals faced the possibility of losing their water for bathing and drinking.
The further divide of the economic classes of people have at their core a resilient stench of keeping people who are oppressed by a bad economy as far down the totem pole as they can go.
The Rev. Al Sharpton has an excellent article in the Huffington Post about these and many other issues related to remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jesus Christ commands us all to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. That is a pretty tall order. One that those of us who experience violence, discrimination and injustice on a daily basis have a very difficult time with. Except that Jesus is one who is also experiencing bias and oppression just for being someone who loves others just a little bit differently.
I do believe that at the center of the Gospel is a call to remember that violence of any kind is never the will of God. If we act in response to hate with hate and violence, our work towards justice and equality becomes counterproductive.
Harboring unhealed grudges and withholding forgiveness towards our foes only allows their work of hate and inequality to gain traction in our lives and communities. Unforgiveness destroys our individual selves and makes further injuries on a society that is already driven by hate and violence. More importantly, it is not worth handing our opponents the unnecessary satisfaction of seeing us and our relationships with others destroyed at their benefit.
Forgiveness does not mean that we excuse their actions. It also does not mean that we no longer work to expose their injustices and the need for all of us to work to change hearts and attitudes to be more accepting and less violent. It does mean that we do not hold them and their actions between us and our relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. Our Mother the Spirit so wants to heal us and help us to move on.
The Benedictine message of radical hospitality and reconciliation are a part of the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are to called to see Christ in one another. Including those that we struggle the most with. We are called by God to welcome one another and allow ourselves to be challenged to address our own interior biases to become a people who embrace and cherish one another. In reconciliation we are invited to work out our differences with others in the quietness of our own hearts and lives in attitudes of prayer; but also to become active in making the world wide community more inclusive of everyone.
Prayers
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you lead your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reighs with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 307).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, page 816).
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (A Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 99).
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