"Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more." (Zephaniah 3:14,15).
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).
All of this rejoicing going on here, one would think there is one big party about to take place. Well, Advent is the time of preparation to celebrate one incredible event the Incarnation of Jesus Christ through Mary. It is also a time to be preparing ourselves for the second coming of Christ. And so, there is a cause for rejoicing in what our Faith tells us. However, at times what our Faith tells us and what is happening in our lives can be two very different things. There are a lot of people who have lost their jobs and homes through this terrible economy. I bet they don't feel like rejoicing this Christmas. There are so many relationships that are fractured and broken. The LGBT people of Uganda are still not safe from the anti-homosexuality bill. I am sure they do not feel like God has defeated their enemies. Many LGBT members have been dismissed from serving in the armed forces due to Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I am sure the news that repealing DADT being put off until 2011 does not make them feel like rejoicing. So how in the world can God be telling us to rejoice amidst so much mess.
In spite of all that human beings experience day in and day out God is still present amidst the messes and evils of the world. Circumstances in and of themselves can make us feel as if God is so far away. But that is because our feelings which God honors and works through often get in the way. We have to face our emotions of anger, depression, sadness and despair with God. I have had many times in my life when I have cried bitterly about something very distressing and very honestly asked God, where are you? If you are so merciful and gracious how come life just stinks? Only after I have spent some sincere time pouring out my heart to God and letting go of the sadness and bitterness is when God and I can finally work together to bring about some healing and joy back into my life.
God came to us in the Person of Christ in the midst of our mess and disgust. When Christ was born in the stable in Bethlehem, God did so much more than just become like one of us. In Christ, God came in the midst of our hurt, angry and violent world to tell us that God is with us in all things. Even when we do not see or think that God is there with us. And so, even when life can really stab us in the back, that is the time when God is often closest to us even when we do not see God there. When our faith is often shaken and seems like it has just disappointed us, it is then that God can reveal the most wonderful things about God's Self to us. And then that "Peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7).
Today's Gospel of Luke 3:7-14 is again about John the Baptist. John the Baptist is calling people to repent and follow a new way of justice. In today's Out in Scripture we read: "Luke 3:7-18 narrates a conflict between John the Baptist and the crowds who came out to hear him. Hold on a minute! Maybe it is not a conflict after all. John, who lives on the margins of society, tells the crowd that they must bear "fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:8). This scene is recorded in Matthew 3:1-12 as well. In that scene, John addresses Pharisees and Sadducees, but in today’s text it is the entire crowd. In Matthew the tension of conflict is unalleviated, but in today’s passage the tension dissipates quickly. John challenges his hearers to act in ways that demonstrate that they have had a change of thinking. It is a challenge that faces us as well.
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experience hypocrisy when they interact with those who believe that they are open and welcoming. They claim to embrace diversity, including sexual diversity, but they continue to acts in ways that perpetuate the marginalization of LGBT people. Church, in particular, can be a difficult place for LGBT people because it is often one of the places in our society where mixed messages are sent. One large African-American congregation, for example, claims to embrace all of God’s children, but silently refuses to perform a same-sex commitment ceremony, even though such ceremonies are allowed by the larger denomination. The verse "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" means that our practices must coincide with our rhetoric (Luke 3:8).
The crowd’s response to John’s challenge highlights the importance of practices: "What then should we do?" (Luke 3:10). This is the good news in today’s passage: there are people who are willing to bear fruits worthy of repentance. There are individuals and communities who are willing to respond to the gospel’s call for a transformed society. Although it will involve a careful examination of their attitudes and behaviors, they are willing to closely look at their lives for the sake of the new world it will create. Shively T.J. Smith comments, "In this passage from the gospel of Luke, the writer calls on hearers to reflect on why they respond as they do to God’s activities within the world." In today’s lesson these people are described as being in a state of "expectation" (Luke 3:15). They are excited because they are open to the movement of God. Shively adds, "Regardless of one’s socio-political standing, ethnicity and gender, we are called not only to believe in the coming of Christ, but to live our lives in such a way that reflects the just and compassionate love we experience in Christ." In the season of Advent, we celebrate the movement of God that transforms communities into welcoming places for LGBT individuals."
Today's Gospel for Gays has a slightly different look for LGBT People. "Is there a gay reading to this gospel?
I don’t think so. I think we’re all on the same level, all equal, that no one (even tax collectors) is excluded here. That in itself is a powerful message for gay people. We’re right there, in the expectant crowd, like anybody else.
Each of us who dares to await the coming of the Lord is one in hope, although each of us also has her own path.
And what matters is renewing our conversion – yet again.
Because that’s another difference between our situation and that of the people who flocked to meet the Baptist.
This is Advent. Advent begins again, every year. Once again, we open our hearts, our pockets, our surplus to our brothers and sisters. Once again, we turn to God in humility, seeking a deeper renewal.
And there’s no need to be afraid."
Where are we being asked to repent and experience conversion in our life? How is God asking us to act and make this world a better place for God's justice and love? How can we be like John the Baptist calling our world, church, community to a renewed understanding of God's all inclusive and unconditional love?
Loving God of creation, transform us.
Turn our words
into acts of your justice and love.
Turn points of conflict
into possibilities for coalition.
In the name of Jesus, Amen
The above prayer is also taken from today's Out in Scripture by the Human Rights Campaign.
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