When Love is Held Hostage

Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV)

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I just got back a little while ago from participating in the Freedom to Marry Day Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Hundreds of supporters for marriage equality for LGBT people along with Faith leaders of all walks came out to rally support for same-sex marriage to be made legal in Minnesota.

Fr. Tim Hodapp an Episcopal Priest who was there representing St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral spoke about how justice and equality can be very much like our personal diets. When justice for one group of people is out of balance, all of society suffers as a result. As was said at last weeks National Hour Prayer Breakfast, when one part of God's Body is denied their basic human rights, all of God's Body is threatened.

In the case of marriage equality, it is not just LGBT people that are held hostage to right wing politics, it is love that is imprisoned when those of us who are LGBT are not allowed to legally marry the person we love.

I saw one incredible sign while I was at today's rally. The sign read: "When can I vote on YOUR marriage?" When the rights of LGBT people to make a public commitment to the person they love is held by corrupted politics and religious convictions based on fiction instead of accuracy, everyone's rights are ultimately in danger. The health of a society or a church that will not see people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered as worthy of legal protections from being bashed, killed, hurt, or unable to marry and/or care for their partners personal, medical and financial lives, it hurts everyone. When love is legislated, love is not free. When love is not free it cannot heal, bind up wounds and cast out fear. Marriage is an issue of the heart, not a matter of governmental control or religious based prejudice.

Today's reading from Paul's letter to the Roman's encourages us to "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor." Love can be genuine between two people of the same-sex, just as it is between one man and one woman. Love can do wonderful things, and it can defeat evil and hold on to what is good. In love, partners, husbands, wives and children can show mutual respect for each person's dignity. However, when that dignity is denied, by with holding basic human and civil rights from anyone group of citizens, it can destroy the very fabric of human and civil liberties for any person at any time. We do not honor God when we fail to honor those who are stigmatized by society or the Church.

When a country like Uganda can look at hunting down and putting in prison and/or executing people for being gay, with the Anglican Bishop approving and suggesting such laws be passed, no one is truly safe. Everyone's human rights are threatened, when any particular group of people's safety is assaulted. This is not the way of God, this is not the way of Christianity. It defies the very principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to love God, neighbor and self.

May we never let go of our energy to continue fighting for marriage equality in our Nation, State, or local City Governments. However, let's remember that our human and civil rights should never be in the hands of legislators. We are looking for the rights that are already given to us, to be protected by our laws. We must call upon our Governmental leaders to push for, grant and protect our rights. Let us do it, because when love is held hostage, all of society is out of balance. When love is free, there can finally be peace, justice and equality for all.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes 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, BCP, Page 815).