The first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of this holy Season starts tomorrow. Already the holiday rush for Christmas shopping has started, many of the radio stations are playing all the Christmas muzac. Last night in Minneapolis was the first Holidazzle Parade of the season. It is wonderful to be thinking Christmas, no question about it.
However, I think it is also a good time to stop for a while and ponder Advent. Advent is the season when we prepare to recall the first coming of Christ at Christmas, while also pondering the second coming of Christ at the end of time. Today is not a time to be sitting on the sidelines and just watching all the preparations for Christmas. Today is a day to ask God in our prayers how can we be part of spreading that peace on earth and good will toward all of God's people. Today is a day for us to consider our work to include everyone in the work of justice and equality. Advent is a great season for LGBT people everywhere to think about what we can do to help spread the message of love and cheer.
Today's Gospel of Matthew chapter 20: 29 to 34 is about Jesus healing two blind men. When the two blind men shout: "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd attempts to silence them saying: "Be quiet." Yet the two blind men shouted even louder: "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" Then Jesus asked: "What do you want me to do for you?" "Let our eyes be opened" the two blind men answered. Jesus touched their eyes and immediately their sight was recovered. The Gospel says that Jesus "was moved with compassion."
It is interesting what often happens when lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people often speak up about religious and civil oppression. The Religious right and their followers will often say: "Keep quiet, do not try to inject the world with the gay agenda." Yet LGBT Christians and all people have every business speaking up to be included in the Church and society. We are absolutely right to refuse to keep quiet and insisting that we be allowed to approach Jesus in the Church, in the Eucharist and to be recognized as people who need compassion and understanding. In our faith, we should never stop calling out religious leaders and individuals who discrimination and marginalize LGBT or any other people for that matter. In the days of slain gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk whenever some city in the country would repeal the civil rights of it's citizens, Harvey used such an opportunity to create a force to speak up. The more civil rights were taken away, the louder Harvey and the gay folks of San Francisco would speak up. All LGBT people need to do the same if we are to experience successes in working for our civil and equal rights. In terms of the Church, we should never stop calling religious leaders who do not recognize LGBT people as good people, created by God and affirmed by Jesus in our love and relationships to experience a conversion of heart and call them to task for the religious oppression they heap upon the LGBT Community.
In today's Scripture readings 1 Peter 4:7-19 Peter says: "Be hospitable with one another without complaining." (Verse 9). The LGBT community in our work for justice and equality must continue to work towards being a community of hospitality, especially towards people when they first come out. I do remember when I was first coming out I was met with much compassion from people in the psychological fields. However, the anger and resentment that I often discovered among gay men and a total lack of compassion in most cases was something that to this day I still find difficult to remember. While there is plenty of room for anger due to the rejection we have often experienced, there does need to be a point where we do not hold other gay men, especially those just coming out with the same contempt and lack of compassion that we sometimes do. Hospitality does not mean letting everyone take advantage of us, and I know all too well how that can happen. However, just being a listening ear for someone who is just fresh out and is scared and not sure about what to do is something everyone can do. Having an extended LGBT family is a most important asset to us and anyone fresh out of the closet. Become a good resource for people to find places and resources for people coming out to find what they need.
As we approach the Season of Advent tomorrow, let us do so from a point of activism, anticipation and celebration. Let us also remember that all of us have been purchased at the great price of the Son of God, who loves us all, yes that is all of us and calls us to be a source of love and compassion for all as well.
Lord, Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Amen.
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