Jesus knows when to give us the double whammy on bad news. In today's Gospel of Matthew 17: 22-27 Jesus shares the information that he will go to Jerusalem and be put to death and rise again. Next Jesus talks about taxes. Oh, Jesus, must you? If we read this scripture as if we are reading from it, we can come away with the wrong understanding. But if we want to really try to get the meaning of what is going on here, it is a wise idea look through it.
In this story of Jesus sending Peter to go fishing and take tax out of the mouth of the fish and giving it to the poor is Jesus giving the example of what we are asked to do. Remember the poor. Keep in mind those who are left on the edge of society and the Church. Given that we are living through the difficult economic conditions of our time, this message is timely. There are so many people over this past year who have lost their jobs, homes, health insurance and so much more. There have been whole families where their lives and dreams have been put on hold due to corporate greed and mismanagement. And in the midst of one of the worst times in our nations history it is completely obscene that the Catholic Bishops have misused their office to get the Stupak amendment in to the Health Care Reform Bill.
When we think of the poor and marginalized of society, we tend to think only about those who are homeless and/or people who have fallen through the cracks. They are very important and Jesus calls on all Baptized members of His Body the Church to do all they can do to help those who are in need. While we need to keep the poor and homeless a top priority, we must also take a look at other groups of people often stigmatized by the Church as well as society. When the equal rights of any one group of people hang in the balance and are not a priority, that means that every one is ultimately in danger. When people who are sick and without medical insurance are put on the back burner, while politicians bring their agenda's front and center as is happening with the Health Care Reform bill, that means that the nations most vulnerable people are at risk.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people remain a group of people who's equal rights are on the back burner due to political agendas. When there are many States that still do not have LGBT rights ordinances to protect LGBT people from loosing their jobs or being discriminated against in terms of housing, or getting financial help when they need it, the nation is not doing their jobs. The rights of LGBT people should not have had to be put into the hands of legislators or be on election ballots. The fact that LGBT people can gain the right to marry and then loose those rights through anti-gay political campaigns that allow the majority to vote on the civil rights of a minority means we have a serious problem.
The members of church groups where they accept LGBT individuals needs to come to the forefront and shake some things up. If the Church and it's members do not come forward and do justice for LGBT and other groups that are marginalized then Christians are as Bishop Gene Robinson says so well: "Jesus' admirers and not Jesus' Disciples". (Taken from the Eye of the Storm, Page 148). At some point if Christians are going to make an impact on the world and truly introduce people to Jesus then we must do justice and not just talk about it. We need to pray and ask God to help us be willing to take a risk for God. We need to ask God for the strength and courage to do the right thing when evil is so very real and present. And then we need to pray and ask God, how can God use us to make a difference in all that is going on? Can I write a letter to my legislators, President, Governor? Can I take some action in my local Senate District to begin affecting how people do or do not think about these and other related issues? Can I volunteer at a food shelf or local AIDS project or help center? Can I help with a clothing drive for the homeless? What can we do to help?
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all the poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all those who have no one to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grand this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, #35 For the Poor and the Neglected, Page 826)
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