"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."
I must admit, I have a lot of trouble with this one. I have a lot of difficulty not wishing something horrible upon the Governor of Alaska who signed into law a bill that will undoubtedly lead to racial profiling. I do not exactly feel like being kind to Archbishop Nienstedt who has just written an opt ed article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune telling everyone that Minnesota needs a State Constitutional Amendment that would outlaw marriage equality. Sometimes those who are against the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are not the kind of people I want to be especially kind to. It is often difficult for me to confront my emotions when I am at the celebration of the Eucharist, because I am in the Presence of the God of unconditional and all inclusive love. Yet, those that claim to be about the business of the Gospel of Jesus Christ seem to have discrimination as their number one goal. They may claim that they do not hate homosexuals, but their behavior is anything but loving.
Sometimes the best thing we can do in our prayer and personal relationship with God is be bluntly honest. God knows what is in our hearts and minds. No one but God knows what is ultimately there. Only when we are honest with God and ourselves can God enter that place and lead us to a place of healing and reconciliation. God is our Shepherd, who wishes to lead us to those green pastures as Psalm 23 reads. That place where God desires to take us is a place where there is a table before us in the presence of our enemies. God never promised any of us that our journey would be without our crosses or hardships. God has promised to be with us and to heal us when we are hurt, and to help us when the path is so difficult. The way to equality and justice for LGBT people is very difficult. Waiting for our United States Congress to vote and pass the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, DOMA and pass the inclusive ENDA is very difficult. There may very well be an immigration reform bill without the United Families Act which will include LGBT Families. The journey to justice, equality and reconciliation is a way with thorns and crosses and lots of enemies. I get frustrated as I am sure many of my readers do.
What I can do is realize that while I am called by Jesus to respect my sisters and brothers who are against equality and justice for LGBT people, and seek their common good, I am not called to agree with them nor stop doing what I can do to help educate and inform people about what the Bible really says about being LGBT. We can all be active in continuing to push for LGBT equality and part of our activism is having those one on one conversations with people about what being LGBT is like. We can talk about what coming out was like or is like. We can talk about why organizations like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council are so wrong in assaulting LGBT individuals, families and couples. We can encourage people to read books like Bishop Gene Robinson's "In the Eye of the Storm" or Daniel A. Helminiak's book: "What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality" or Rev. Jeff Miner and John T. Connoley's book: "The Children Are Free." We can suggest people watch the movie: "For the Bible Tells Me So." We can engage in conversations to help people understand some basic information and help change hearts and minds about homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered people.
As difficult as it is I too have to learn to seek the common good of every person including those who continue to use their pastoral or political power to speak against our equal rights. We do not have to agree, but we do have to ask God to help us respect and love them as sisters and brothers. Coming to terms with our own attitudes and bringing them before the cross or Jesus Christ helps us to place them in the hands of the risen Christ who desires to Shepherd all of us to better days.
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer, Page 225).
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, Book of Common Prayer, Page 815).
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