God is Calling, How Are We Answering?

Don't ask, don't tell has had a week of Senate hearings. Health care reform is still being debated. The need for jobs, finance reform is all over us as small businesses suffer from the economic downturn and Wall Street executives taking advantage of Federal Bailouts. The poor remain at the bottom of the priority list. LGBT individuals all over the United States and the world are still not given full equality by the laws that govern the nations. The Religious right has been transporting heterosexism to places like Uganda and possibly other African nations. Ex-gay ministries continue to exploit LGBT people, youth and those who want to support them in an attempt to "change" them.

All of these realities means that there is work to be done. Look at the opportunities for LGBT Christians and those who are concerned about human rights. Who is looking at all of these challenges and saying: "What are the folks in Washington doing about it all?" A good question for all of us to ask is: "What are we going to do about it all?" Are we really going to let politicians and their lack of leadership make all of these decisions for us and not speak up, write letters, make phone calls, and organize at the local level? We may live in troubled times, but we are not completely helpless to work towards changing the way things are.

This weekends Scripture readings calls everyone who wants a new way of doing things to hear God inspiring us into action. In our first reading in Isaiah 6: 1-8, the Prophet is caught up in a spiritually ecstatic vision. When the hot coal touches his mouth, he is literally set on fire to serve his community and promises to go out on behalf of God to those who are weeping, suffering and in need of a voice of compassion. Do we as LGBT Christians see ourselves as loved by God and called to a mission of helping others who weep and suffer for lack of civil rights and live under religious oppression? Are we willing to let God set us ablaze with compassion not only for ourselves who often need it, but also other members of our LGBT community who are looking for hope amid such hopeless times? Do we see what is going on around us as opportunities to get involved and help make things better for everyone?

In our Gospel of Luke 5:1-11 we read the incredible story of Jesus going out with Peter, James and John to help them catch a huge bunch of fish. As Jesus is calling the first Apostles to witness all that he will say and do, Simon Peter said: "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8). Peter is unsure of how Jesus can help Peter, because Peter is so concerned about what a failure he is. Like many of us when we are called to do important work, we think our shortcomings will keep us from doing well. LGBT people are often thought to not have much to offer, because our sexual orientation and/or gender identities/expressions are considered the problem that God just cannot work with.

Notice Jesus' response to Peter and the other imperfect people around him. Jesus did not tell them:"You are right, you are a sinner, I should go away, there is nothing you can do." No, Jesus does not do that. Jesus responds to Peter saying: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people."(Luke 5: 10). Jesus calls them, by telling them to trust in God, not in their own abilities or insecurities. God knows our strengths and weaknesses. God knows that we are just incredible when we place our abilities at the service of others. Today, Jesus challenges those first Apostles to see beyond what they think they cannot do, to stretch themselves beyond the way they have always known things. Jesus saw in those men as he sees in us today that we live in times where prejudice and political/economic/religious oppression often keeps people from reaching the potential of their relationships with God and others. In today's story, Jesus shows us that God is ultimately in control of our destiny, but gives us the choice to trust in God, to place our abilities and cares at the service of those who need to know that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people have been gifted to love justice, equality and with fortitude to work for the day when we will no longer be under the oppression of the religious and political conservative powers of the world. We have the opportunity to love ourselves when the world hates us, and to love other members of the community whom many despise. We can accept God's unconditional and inclusive love and show that love through our relationships with others around us. We can demonstrate God's all encompassing compassion for the poor, destitute, those sick and others who are lonely or feel in despair. To those LGBT and questioning youth who feel like they have no friends, we can be their friends to love and support them. To those angry with religion, we can understand and be a source of contradiction to what they have experienced and give them an opportunity for healing.

The job posting has been listed. All the interviews have been done. We have been hired, called, commissioned and employed with God's reward as God's promise to us. Everyone is needed, and there is always plenty of work to be done. Who will answer that call? How will LGBT Christians respond to the call of God to go and serve Jesus in those who are waiting to be served? God is so pleased with our willingness to participate. God is so excited that we are part of his workforce. God needs us to do our part. When will we be ready to begin?

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, BCP, Page 216).

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, BCP, Page 816)