Today's Scripture Reading
Mark 6:1-13
Blog Reflection
My partner Jason and I are on vacation this week in Provincetown, Massachusetts. A place where LGBT equality and general acceptance of all kinds of people is a given. Every where we walk there are people of all kinds of sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions walking around, hand in hand. Shopping. Kissing. Greeting each other, warmly and with hospitality. Sharing a meal together. Sharing a taxi cab from one end of the town to the other.
As I am reading the news of all that is going on with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, I am thinking these thoughts. All of the legislation, debates, conversations, decisions. Should the Church pass the rites for the blessing of same-sex relationships? Should there be equal treatment of transgender people in the Church, protecting them from discrimination? How should the structure of the Episcopal Church change?
In our Gospel today, Jesus shows us how he lived and then he sends out his disciples to live how he lived. Seeking peace, repentance and reconciliation. If they find a place where they are not received in hospitality, he tells them to shake the dust from their feet.
What if the Church, the world were a place where we just walked hand in hand with each other?
What if society and the Church celebrated the goodness in all of us together?
What if we brought about the reign of God by healing, loving, holding hands? Greeting each other in friendship, even with everything about each other that drives us and them crazy.
For one thing, we wouldn't be able to just walk past those who are on the margins of society and the Church blindly, or as if they are not there. We would have to do all that we could to be more inclusive, hospitable and reconciling. We would work for justice, equality and peace. Economic equality. Equality for women, LGBT people, Native Americans, Muslims, Jewish people. There would be the understanding that everyone's equality is a given, so we all work together to make it happen.
I hope that we will all take some time to relax and unwind this Summer. To find those places that seem like the work of equality for all is a given, and almost taken for granted, rather than be the exception. Places to connect with God, others and ourselves so that we can be re-energized for the ministry of inclusiveness and hospitality.
Prayers
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Blog Reflection
My partner Jason and I are on vacation this week in Provincetown, Massachusetts. A place where LGBT equality and general acceptance of all kinds of people is a given. Every where we walk there are people of all kinds of sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions walking around, hand in hand. Shopping. Kissing. Greeting each other, warmly and with hospitality. Sharing a meal together. Sharing a taxi cab from one end of the town to the other.
As I am reading the news of all that is going on with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, I am thinking these thoughts. All of the legislation, debates, conversations, decisions. Should the Church pass the rites for the blessing of same-sex relationships? Should there be equal treatment of transgender people in the Church, protecting them from discrimination? How should the structure of the Episcopal Church change?
In our Gospel today, Jesus shows us how he lived and then he sends out his disciples to live how he lived. Seeking peace, repentance and reconciliation. If they find a place where they are not received in hospitality, he tells them to shake the dust from their feet.
What if the Church, the world were a place where we just walked hand in hand with each other?
What if society and the Church celebrated the goodness in all of us together?
What if we brought about the reign of God by healing, loving, holding hands? Greeting each other in friendship, even with everything about each other that drives us and them crazy.
For one thing, we wouldn't be able to just walk past those who are on the margins of society and the Church blindly, or as if they are not there. We would have to do all that we could to be more inclusive, hospitable and reconciling. We would work for justice, equality and peace. Economic equality. Equality for women, LGBT people, Native Americans, Muslims, Jewish people. There would be the understanding that everyone's equality is a given, so we all work together to make it happen.
I hope that we will all take some time to relax and unwind this Summer. To find those places that seem like the work of equality for all is a given, and almost taken for granted, rather than be the exception. Places to connect with God, others and ourselves so that we can be re-energized for the ministry of inclusiveness and hospitality.
Prayers
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 9, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230).
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, p, 815).
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