Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: The Progression and Regression of Justice in One Week

 A Very Happy Pride Sunday to All

May We Give Thanks and Praise As We Celebrate God's Inclusive Love

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21 (NRSV)

The LORD said to Elijah, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place."

So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Psalm 16 (BCP., p.599)


Galatians 5:1,13-25 (NRSV)

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Luke 9:51-62 (NRSV)

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Blog Reflection

Today's readings are all about moving forward and looking back.  God calls us in the here and now to follow Christ by listening intently to the Gospel.

In the reading from Hebrew Scriptures, Elijah calls Elisha to share in his work as a prophet.  Elisha wishes to return to bid farewell to his folks.  Instead, he destroys everything that he used, left it all and became a companions to Elijah.   The least literal approach to this reading is to not get caught up in the slaughter of the animals, but to look at the narrative as a whole and what it has to say.  This reading is saying something about giving up things, and moving forward without all the baggage we once had.   There is a kind of death in letting go of all that we used to have and do.  I think that is why Psalm 16 is the appropriate response to what we read in 1 Kings.   As we leave behind what we once used and did, we call out for God's protection and embrace God as the only thing that really matters.

The reading from 1 Kings speaks about Monastic simplicity.  If we are to follow Christ effectively, and in a way that we will listen to God more clearly, then it is necessary that we become detached from all that keeps us from hearing God speak to our hearts.  As a Monastic who is connected to the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict, I am dispersed.  I live in an apartment with my partner.  I am not sequestered physically in an enclosed Monastery.  As Companions, we carry the cloister of the Monastery in our hearts.  So, how do I (we) separate ourselves from the things that keep us from listening to God?   By viewing things through the lens of The Rule of St. Benedict.   In Chapter 31 Qualifications Of the Monastery Cellarer vs. 10, Benedict writes: "He (the Cellelarer)  will regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar." (RB 1980 p.55).    In other words, the best way to detach from things that weigh us down, is to understand that we own nothing.   Everything that is given to us is on loan from God, and should be respected as such.   In so doing, even this computer through which I write these words is not something I own.  It is on loan to me, and therefore I must use it with reverence for God who has so generously provided it.  If I live as a dispersed Monastic by remembering that everything in our home is not owned by either of us, even if we gained it by our labors, then I am able to be detached myself from things, so that I can more clearly listen to God.  I can render God the greatest gift of praise and thanksgiving that God loves me to provide what I need to use, so that I may do God's will.

I think this point has something to say about how we regard other people.  St. Benedict also regarded people as Eucharistic Vessels.  In other words, Christ is present and should be reverently respected in each person.   Simplicity also requires us to leave behind those attitudes and behaviors rooted in prejudice and injustice towards those who are different from ourselves.  It requires me to think of my partner, my Abbot and all others I may come into contact with as Christ Himself.   St. Benedict tells me to "welcome all guests as Christ" (RB Chapter 53).   Therefore, no thing, no person is so detestable, so low on the priority scale that I might arrogantly negate Christ's command to love others as He has loved me. (See John 13:34).

The points made by 1 Kings are also made by Jesus in our Gospel narrative according to Luke.  But, Jesus takes things even one step further.

Jesus in so many words is telling us that everything that could possibly need a place to rest has it's residence of solace.  However, Jesus Himself is without a place to rest his head.  He is indeed talking about not really having a physical place to call home.  However, that is not the only thing Jesus is talking about here.  He is also letting us know that Jesus present in the marginalized and oppressed have no rest from violence, injustice and bias.  This is most definitely the case with the Supreme Court's decision this past Tuesday to gut the Voting Rights Act opening up the flood gates for further discrimination on the basis of race.  The States that are no longer required to get clearance from the Justice Department have already begun moves to place restrictive measures on people of color and immigration status to prevent them from exercising their rights in our democratic process.   Racial prejudice suffered a major regression this week through this decision.  We cannot and should not in good conscious ignore the ramifications of this decision.

On the other hand, we saw a huge victory this past Wednesday when the same Supreme Court struck down the section of DOMA that prevents the Federal Government from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples in states where it is legal.  In addition, they struck down Proposition 8 in California that bans same-sex marriages there.  The same Court that struck down the part of the Voting Rights Act that affects many minorities, also struck down the parts of the laws that discriminate against LGBT people.   In short, LGBT people gained rights, while racial minorities lost big time.  This just shows that in terms of LGBT equality, our nation is miles ahead, while the issue of equality on the basis of race was taken way back.   If we celebrate our gains as LGBT people and at the same time not express our outrage and commit ourselves to ending racial prejudice, our work for justice and equality is done in unparalleled hypocrisy.  

Jesus also gives us the warning about the dangers of holding ourselves in a looking back position.  If we intend to follow Jesus as faithful disciples, then we must exercise discretion so that in moderation we can discern what we hold on to, and what we let go of.   There is a cost to following Jesus, there is a letting go of our old selves, while at the same time we remain who we are as adopted daughters and sons of the Most High.

As individuals who identify ourselves as beloved of God as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer people, we spent a lot of time discerning what to do with our closets of death and deception.  We painfully looked at our relationship to God and others around us, but most importantly with ourselves.  Many of us found ourselves at a major intersection.  If we were to accept ourselves as LGBT people and it would mean our faith could not support it, we just gave it up. Others of us looked at the same situation and came to the sure truth that God loves us as we are, and we can found places of worship or other religious expressions that compliment who we are.  Regardless of what track we chose, we are all still in the race for justice, equality and hope for others who cannot be who they are for whatever reason.

As we walk through this Pride weekend, reminding ourselves of those brave people at Stonewall 41 years ago, we must also head the call of Jesus to let go of what is behind us, and following Him. We are right to celebrate our many achievements, but we must also remain vigilant about many others who are not able to enjoy equality and the ability to work towards their full potential.   In our celebrating and parading, it is so important that we commit ourselves to continuing what we began with our eyes fixed on the goal that remains unclaimed.  By God's grace and help, we will get there.

Amen.

Prayers

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together
in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a
holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 8, 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).

Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBT Pride.  We are, each of us, created in your image lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered, alike.  Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal.  Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community.  We ask this in your Name, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  (I have been told this prayer can be found in the Book of Occasional Services).