What Comes From Our Hearts?

Jesus said: "Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles." (Matthew 15:17,18).

Well isn't this an interesting way to begin the week! Jesus starts us off by talking about something going into the mouth, into the stomach and into the toilet. Sounds like some dirty talk to me. Yet, Jesus has the nerve to talk about what comes out of the mouth as coming from the heart. Isn't Jesus sounding just a bit harsh? Perhaps we need to think about what is coming out of the mouth of God's perfect revelation and look at what is in our hearts that God knows all too well.

One of the greatest Priests I ever knew taught me during a Confession that God knows the intentions of our hearts better than anyone else. This is one reason why Scripture tends to be like that "two edged sword" spoken of in Hebrews 3: 12-14. In verse 12 it says: "it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." God who is the Creator of the human heart knows what is there far more than we ourselves do at times. It is our hearts that live in relationship with God. It is also our hearts that can be wounded, broken, and sometimes questions God when we do not understand what God is doing. Our hearts feel the effects of rejection, hate and prejudice. But our hearts can also make us oh, so loving, welcoming and warm. Often our actions are dictated by what is in our hearts. Sometimes we act contrary to what is in our hearts. But the One who really knows what is there is God.

This is why every Christian every day needs to take that journey into their hearts with God and talk with God about what is there. Sometimes what is there is very stubborn and uncharitable. Letting God see that is a good thing. God is often like the physician that's come to help us. Rather than welcome God there and allow God to do God's work, if it is too painful for us to face even with God, we can easily shut God out and make life more difficult on ourselves.

I think sometimes Christians want to hear only what they want to hear from other people. And if they hear something that is out of touch with their understanding of Scripture they make judgments about where the heart of someone else is.

As a man who is gay, an Episcopalian, a Christian, I join those in the LGBT Community in being so very disturbed and hurt by Christian Fundamentalists who continue their Spiritual violence towards LGBT individuals. Last Friday night I was very disappointed in an article I read about Pastor Gary Cass who is of the so-called "Christian Anti-Defamation Commission". Pastor Cass has encouraged Evangelical Pastors to "insight hate-crimes" to see if the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill will actually be used to prosecute Pastors for speaking out against homosexuality. I consider this to be one of those things that is coming from the "heart" that is malicious. To be putting LGBT people in the place of being afraid of a potential hate crime committed against them just to prove a point is unacceptable. Do you think this could be an example of what Jesus was saying about "what comes from the heart"?

Put this example in comparison to the work of Philip and Randi Reitan who with their son Jake, who have helped put together the movie: "For the Bible Tells Me So". I think we can see an amazing contrast between the two. In this excellent movie we hear the stories of people like Bishop Gene Robinson or the daughter of former U.S. Representative Dick Gephardt and so many more along with their families struggling with what the Bible has said over the years about homosexuality. In this magnificent documentary the viewers can hear the painful stories of families and children coming out and loving each other as they are. "For the Bible Tells Me So" looks into the many mis-translated stories in the Bible that are used as the "clobber passages" about homosexuality. These include Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), Do not lie with men as you do women in Leviticus 18:22 and 20: 13. The movie does an excellent job of examining the real meaning behind Romans 1:21-28. But one of the most wonderful parts of this documentary is the stories of how Parents, Pastors, whole churches have opened their hearts and minds to a new understanding of what the Scriptures mean about homosexuality. Yet, through out the film we also see the malicious talk of many Protestant Evangelicals and Roman Catholic leaders condemning homosexual individuals and activities.

As we meditate on these two examples, I think we have to ask ourselves the question again and again, what is coming from our hearts? I heard an individual just last night say that she pays enough for her own health insurance, why should she pay more for the health care of an illegal immigrant? When I hear comments like that, I have to ask the question, have Christians really listened to Jesus when he asked the question: "Who is my neighbor?" And what about "I was a stranger and you took me in"? How about: "I was sick and you helped me" ? And in the same place Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (See Matthew 25: 31 to 46). From these I have to ask the question: What illegal immigrant would Jesus refuse health care to? What comes from our hearts?

What is in our hearts? I hope what is in our hearts is an honest call of God for conversion. I hope what is in our hearts is a desire to change our attitudes towards people who are different than ourselves. I hope that what comes out of the hearts of Christians in America and world wide is a renewed understanding of love for our neighbors including homosexuals, bisexuals and transgendered persons. I hope what God finds in our hearts is a willingness to affirm the need for everyone to have good health care. I hope what is in our hearts and what comes out is a real understanding of caring for the poor, those with HIV/AIDS and all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases. I hope what we find in our hearts and what comes out of our mouths is a real call to our Representatives, Senators and our President to make equal rights for LGBT people a priority in regards to repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the repealing of the Defense of Marriage Act and the passing of an inclusive Employment-Non Discrimination Act. I hope that in our hearts we might call the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission to not consider harming LGBT individuals through inciting hate crimes. I hope that Christians who harbor attitudes of hate for LGBT individuals might hear the call of God to learn to love, accept and affirm the marginalized of society and the Church.

Likewise, it is the call of LGBT Christians and all people of good will to be in dialogue with those who have attitudes against LGBT individuals. We just never know when something someone says or does will change an attitude or affect an alteration of people. Philip and Randi Reitan shared with our group on Saturday night that For the Bible Tells Me So has already begun to work on the hearts of people connected with Focus on the Family. Just think of what our true stories shared in love can do to change others.

O God, you made us in your image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in the bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purpose 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).