Father in heaven, by whose grace the mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prayer for the Visitation, Book of Common Prayer, Page 240)
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 826)
O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Heroic Service, Book of Common Prayer, Page 839)
O God, the King of saints, we praise and glorify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear; for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all your other righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we pray that, encouraged by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Faithful Departed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 504).
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those We Love, Book of Common Prayer, Page 831)
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, Page 833)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Trinity Sunday: God's Relationship to God's Self and All Humankind.
I found this remarkable image of the Trinity on a web site for the Daily Office.
The following description was found beneath this image.
Douglas Blanchard: Trinity. It's startling, overly erotic perhaps, but the best art is always startling, so we can think. The Spirit as a woman, above the men? The Father as a young one with the stigmata of his Son? Is our God Michelangelo's old man, or is our God still young? Plus I love the flowers, the milk and honey; this artist is full of faith, presenting us Three who love each other perfectly. Forget the sexuality, notice the wounds on the Father's hands. We all bear the stigmata. We all get nailed to that Cross. And then we rise again.
Many classical theologians and artists have produced outstanding work that has brought us the good and the bad within the Christian religion. Through their contributions we have gotten many images and understandings of God. God in the Bible, in art, music, in the doctrines and dogmas, the Catechism's of the Church and all the prayer books that have been passed on through the centuries, have in one way or another shaped our understanding and view of God.
Many have chosen not to embrace the Christian religion. The one reason that gets most of the publicity is how Christians behave towards each other, and towards other groups of people that do not fit their ideological interpretation of the Bible. The interpretation of the Bible literally has led to many erroneous understandings of how God relates to God's Self and all of humankind. In Forward Day by Day, the author of today's meditation offers the following thought.
When Jesus ended his earthly mission, he still had "many things to say" to his disciples which they were not then ready to receive. Yet such things need not become the lost words of Jesus if we permit the Spirit of truth to guide us into "all the truth."
Note what this means and what it does not mean. The New Testament writers were inspired and led by God, yet they never pretended to be infallible. Saint Paul admitted that not everything he wrote carried divine authority: "I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion...and I think I too have the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 7:25, 40).
Would that all Christians were so modest and so honest! No person or church can claim infallibility or a monopoly on divine truth. It is enough that God promises to reveal to those who humbly seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit all that they need to know of him and of his saving love.
May the whole church of Christ be led into a more humble and faithful surrender to God's will. (1951)
Last Sunday, the Church celebrated Pentecost. One understanding the Church has been developing over the years is that the Holy Spirit represents the feminine nature of God. The Church being dominated by a masculine understanding of God and humankind has resulted in limited understandings of how God relates to all of humankind. The resistance to the notion that God relates to humankind by exercising female and male roles might tend to make men like myself a bit uncomfortable. Except that, I am not a "privileged" man. I am a gay man. I am married to another gay man. I may be "privileged" to be a Caucasian, male, because of how society and many even in the Church regard those who are not Caucasian or men, but because I am not heterosexual, I am by many other people's standards not a "typical, ordinary" man. Our understanding of how God relates to humankind, not only severely limits our relationship to God, but also how we relate to others who are different than ourselves.
On this Trinity Sunday, we are presented with some extraordinary Biblical texts to talk about how God relates to Humankind through those three Persons of the Trinity. While no one can adequately explain how the Trinity, we can say some important things to help deepen our relationship to God the Holy Trinity. The three persons of the Holy Trinity show us how God relates to God's Self and all of humankind. Our Bible texts for this Sunday and those who have commented on them in Out in Scripture want to help us be open to new ways of thinking about how God relates to all of humankind through the three Persons of the Trinity.
Just as bold as Pentecost's rushing wind in Acts 2, "wisdom," or "Woman Wisdom" (as translated from her Hebrew name Hochma), takes to the streets with a loud voice in the book of Proverbs. Most of the book is an edited version of various collections of proverbs. Woman Wisdom's speech in Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, however, is part of a group of instructions and wisdom poems found in chapters 1-9.The setting of the book of Proverbs is the patriarchal family in which the father instructs the son, passing on the wisdom of the sages encapsulated in the form of proverbs. Hochma represents wisdom, which has broken loose from this traditional setting of court and family. Instead she can be found in public spaces such as the street and the city gates. Her knowledge is relational, not based on the memorization of a fixed body of knowledge.
Woman Wisdom's presence at creation, her delight in humanity and God's delight in her evoke strong connections with the Spirit. In fact many scholars have understood hochma to be a female personification of God's creative and saving actions in the world.
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified with the hochma (sophia in Greek) of God. In 1 Corinthians 1:24, Paul calls Christ the wisdom (sophia) of God. The connection is also especially present in the gospel of John. Like hochma, Jesus exists with God from the beginning of creation (John 1:1-5). He speaks in the same fashion as hochma: with a loud voice to the masses (John 7:28, 37) and in long discourses (chapters 14-17). The passage assigned in the lectionary for today, John 16:12-15, is part of what is often called Jesus' farewell discourse found in John14:1-17:26. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his physical departure, but promises the comfort and guidance of the Wisdom/Spirit of God. The loud and clear voice of the Spirit will continue in the community of faith, and, like hochma in Proverbs, "will guide in all truth" (16:13).
In his letter to the Romans, Paul wants to present his understanding of a life of faith to a congregation he has not met yet. After stating the theme of his letter in 1:16-17 ("The righteous will live by faith") he goes on in Romans 5:1-5 to claim that the Spirit will sustain believers who have been reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. This particular section of Paul's letter lifts up the theme of hope. Even in the midst of suffering, the Spirit engenders hope in the person of faith, reminding all who suffer of God's love so freely given.
Often the "historical mediation" of the Spirit is lost when coupled with the Trinitarian concept of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit." One reason for this is the devaluation of the female identity of Spirit in a traditionally patriarchal construct of "Father and Son." But like hochma, the Spirit speaks with a loud voice in these passages for today. Elizabeth Johnson has indicated that the Spirit manifests in history anytime a "community resists its own destruction or works for its own renewal; when structural changes serve the liberation of oppressed peoples; when law subverts sexism, racism, poverty and militarism … wherever diversity is sustained in koinonia; wherever justice and peace and freedom gain a transformative foothold" (She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse, p. 126).
As we with the commentators consider the relationship of God with humankind in both female and male characteristics, how does it help us as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Christians and those who support us find room for full inclusion in the Church and society? One matter that can be made very clear is that Transgendered persons who are often looked upon by many in both secular and religious communities, as the T at the end of LGBT and therefore are to be treated like the lost tail. When we attach stereotypes to gender and how a particular gender is suppose to behave, dress or be perceived, what results is excuse upon excuse for prejudice and violence of the most detestable kind. We may have a Bible full of gender specific pronouns for God and all of the three Persons, even with the great developments of the New Revised Standard Version, but that does not mean that violence, subordination and prejudice toward women, or men who behave like women, or women who behave like men, women who become men, or men who become women is in any way, shape or form acceptable. The numbers of transgendered people who are murdered, harassed or beaten cannot be justifiable. Just as the violence aimed at lesbian and gay people often by Christians, cannot be justified.
Today at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the sermon was given by retired Bishop Christopher Senyonjo from West Buganda, Uganda. The current Anglican Archbishop of Uganda who is sadly very much supports the "kill the gays" bill in Uganda, has expelled Bishop Christopher from all services in Uganda, because he has spoken out against what Uganda is doing to LGBT individuals there. Not only has Bishop Christopher been expelled from all service, he has also lost his retirement pension. Yet, when Bishop Christopher spoke today, he did not talk of any bitterness towards the present Anglican Archbishop. Instead, he spoke of how the Holy Spirit of God, desires to lead us into all truth, by everyone opening their hearts and minds to the fact that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals are God loving people. Bishop Christopher mentioned that most LGBT people oppose the idea of pedophilia, lewd personal and sexual conduct and instead just want to be able to embrace God and the people we love, as we are, children of God.
As we meditate upon God relating to God's Self and all of humankind through the mystery known as the Trinity, we need to ask God to lead us by the Holy Spirit into all truth, as Jesus promised is disciples. Being led into all truth, means being open to the possibility that no one of us has a complete understanding of God and others around us, any better or worse than anyone else. God is so mysterious and so beyond our knowledge or comprehension, that it is very likely that we are all missing the mark. No Pope, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, minister, lay or ordained has any claims to total and unparalleled truth than anyone else. Just because something is written in the Bible does not mean that is how it is understood, or means that is what we must all do. The Bible is as open to many possible interpretations as why the earth is round or the ocean is blue. Is it any more or less true that the earth is round and the ocean blue? Is it any more or less true that in the Bible absolutely everything that is written there word for word is totally infallible and/or even inerrant? No.
What we can know for certain thanks to what is written and understood in the Bible and has been taught from the beginning of Church history to this present day, is that God desires to relate to all humankind through God's unconditional love. There is no person on this earth that God the Father, Mother, or God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit the feminine nature of God, does not love and has not given God's all for. God reaches out to all of God's creation in extravagant, unconditional and all inclusive love. God weeps when God's children experience poverty, sickness, sadness, discrimination, violence for any reason. God does not always stop what goes on, but God does care and God makes use of those things that happen to do wonderful and incredible things in and through our lives. God relates to all of humankind, because God loves all of humankind. When will all humankind in society and the Church get that through our thick minds and stubborn hearts?
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Trinity Sunday, Book of Common Prayer, Page 228).
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, Book of Common Prayer, Page 816).
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Pursuit of LGBT Equal Rights. The Right Thing to Do or A Most Profitable Business?
Today as we were praying our Divine Office we read the following Bible verse.
I have to tell you that I hate money, I really do. I hate money because without it there is not a lot most people can do in this world. I also hate money because of how it is used to control people in one fashion or another. We need money to be able to live some where, we need money to be able to eat, sleep, drink, have a good time. Without money you cannot have transportation either private or public. The Government wants our money. Private businesses want our money. Churches want money. Gay friendly businesses and organizations want and need money. There are so many people including myself who are unemployed at this point in time and in need of money and are just wondering how we will be able to make it through one day to the next.
Money is like most things, when it is used to do good things, good comes out of it. When money is used and manipulated for evil, it's destruction is some of the worst. No storm, fire, flood, bombing or shooting can do as much damage to people, as money can when it is misused. The love of money is often the motivation for crimes, politics, and untold arm twisting.
We have been seeing this year how when the love of money is more important than people, just how destructive it can be. Health insurance executives more concerned about keeping their billion dollar profits than about those who needed affordable health care, were able to convince our government to not include a public option in health care reform. Wall Street money bullies are trying to do everything they can to weaken the present Finance reform bill. The Deep Water Horizon Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the slow response of BP and the Federal Government has been mostly about the love of money. They really could care less about the wild life that is dying, the water that is polluted for years to come, the people who's jobs and homelands are destroyed. The love of money is so destructive it makes hearts about important things harden, while those who are under the spell of those who have money, are left helpless.
When it comes to the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, I cannot help but ask the following question. There are many businesses and corporations that fund Gay Pride events, conferences, advocacy groups, and so and so forth. For many of these, is it the cause of equal rights for LGBT people, or the love of money that many businesses and corporations fund equal rights causes? Here in Minneapolis and St. Paul we have many businesses that advertise for Twin Cities Pride, such as Target. I tend to shop at Target quite a bit. Yet, I have heard stories in other parts of the country, where Target store managers are not all that kind to LGBT people. Comcast has been known to advertise for LGBT organizations. Yet, included in their channel line up is things like the 700 Club, EWTN, Fox Noise, and the WORD network. Yesterday, I was just blown away that a local radio station AM 950 that is known as the progressive station, and supportive of the LGBT community had a radio advertisement for Michele Bachmann. Are such business for real, or do they just say so for the love of money?
There are many politicians who claim to be supportive of LGBT rights. Are they supportive because it is the right thing to do, or because of their love of the money that supportive voice tends to bring in for their campaigns?
It is important for the LGBT community to seek those organizations and even companies that support our cause. As much as I hate money, the community does need it to pursue our goals. However, I do believe we have every business pushing those who say they support LGBT equality, to not just do it for the love of money, but because it is the right thing to do.
Here is a recent example of some of what I am talking about. This morning it was announced that the President of Malawi has pardoned the gay couple that was sentenced to 14 years prison and hard labor. Did he do it because it is the right thing to do, or because of how much his country is dependent upon foreign money to care for his citizens?
While we understand that money is not a root of many evils, but the love of money is, it is important to be sure that our hearts are in the right place. God calls us in Jesus Christ to place God as our first priority. God calls upon us to use the resources God has given us to do the best good we can do for ourselves and others. Where money is needed to help in the cause of LGBT equality, indeed it should be used. Let it be used with a sense of honesty, integrity and a true desire for equality for everyone. When it is used only to gain a sense of stature and not give a damn about anything or anyone, let that be called out for what it is.
In the movie "For the Bible Tells Me So" Bishop Holloway calls attention to the fact that most of the anti-gay Biblical literalist's are capitalist's with billions of dollars in revenue. When anti-gay bias earns money, prestige and popularity, we have to ask the question, have Biblical literalist's really taken to heart Paul's statement that the love of money is a root of many evils? When Evangelicals from America get money from Uganda to go and promote an atmosphere of intolerance and hate, so that the Parliament of Uganda would consider a bill that could put open homosexuals in prison or kill them by hanging, is that an example of how the love of money is a root of many evils?
As LGBT Christians and individuals of good will, we are challenged today to be people who use our heart, not just our money to do the right thing. We are called to love God and our neighbor unconditionally and all inclusively. Because we are human, we need the help of God, the Holy Spirit to discern what she knows is the right and best thing to do. Are we open to what the Spirit has to say to us and the Church today?
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.(1 Timothy 6:10).
I have to tell you that I hate money, I really do. I hate money because without it there is not a lot most people can do in this world. I also hate money because of how it is used to control people in one fashion or another. We need money to be able to live some where, we need money to be able to eat, sleep, drink, have a good time. Without money you cannot have transportation either private or public. The Government wants our money. Private businesses want our money. Churches want money. Gay friendly businesses and organizations want and need money. There are so many people including myself who are unemployed at this point in time and in need of money and are just wondering how we will be able to make it through one day to the next.
Money is like most things, when it is used to do good things, good comes out of it. When money is used and manipulated for evil, it's destruction is some of the worst. No storm, fire, flood, bombing or shooting can do as much damage to people, as money can when it is misused. The love of money is often the motivation for crimes, politics, and untold arm twisting.
We have been seeing this year how when the love of money is more important than people, just how destructive it can be. Health insurance executives more concerned about keeping their billion dollar profits than about those who needed affordable health care, were able to convince our government to not include a public option in health care reform. Wall Street money bullies are trying to do everything they can to weaken the present Finance reform bill. The Deep Water Horizon Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the slow response of BP and the Federal Government has been mostly about the love of money. They really could care less about the wild life that is dying, the water that is polluted for years to come, the people who's jobs and homelands are destroyed. The love of money is so destructive it makes hearts about important things harden, while those who are under the spell of those who have money, are left helpless.
When it comes to the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, I cannot help but ask the following question. There are many businesses and corporations that fund Gay Pride events, conferences, advocacy groups, and so and so forth. For many of these, is it the cause of equal rights for LGBT people, or the love of money that many businesses and corporations fund equal rights causes? Here in Minneapolis and St. Paul we have many businesses that advertise for Twin Cities Pride, such as Target. I tend to shop at Target quite a bit. Yet, I have heard stories in other parts of the country, where Target store managers are not all that kind to LGBT people. Comcast has been known to advertise for LGBT organizations. Yet, included in their channel line up is things like the 700 Club, EWTN, Fox Noise, and the WORD network. Yesterday, I was just blown away that a local radio station AM 950 that is known as the progressive station, and supportive of the LGBT community had a radio advertisement for Michele Bachmann. Are such business for real, or do they just say so for the love of money?
There are many politicians who claim to be supportive of LGBT rights. Are they supportive because it is the right thing to do, or because of their love of the money that supportive voice tends to bring in for their campaigns?
It is important for the LGBT community to seek those organizations and even companies that support our cause. As much as I hate money, the community does need it to pursue our goals. However, I do believe we have every business pushing those who say they support LGBT equality, to not just do it for the love of money, but because it is the right thing to do.
Here is a recent example of some of what I am talking about. This morning it was announced that the President of Malawi has pardoned the gay couple that was sentenced to 14 years prison and hard labor. Did he do it because it is the right thing to do, or because of how much his country is dependent upon foreign money to care for his citizens?
While we understand that money is not a root of many evils, but the love of money is, it is important to be sure that our hearts are in the right place. God calls us in Jesus Christ to place God as our first priority. God calls upon us to use the resources God has given us to do the best good we can do for ourselves and others. Where money is needed to help in the cause of LGBT equality, indeed it should be used. Let it be used with a sense of honesty, integrity and a true desire for equality for everyone. When it is used only to gain a sense of stature and not give a damn about anything or anyone, let that be called out for what it is.
In the movie "For the Bible Tells Me So" Bishop Holloway calls attention to the fact that most of the anti-gay Biblical literalist's are capitalist's with billions of dollars in revenue. When anti-gay bias earns money, prestige and popularity, we have to ask the question, have Biblical literalist's really taken to heart Paul's statement that the love of money is a root of many evils? When Evangelicals from America get money from Uganda to go and promote an atmosphere of intolerance and hate, so that the Parliament of Uganda would consider a bill that could put open homosexuals in prison or kill them by hanging, is that an example of how the love of money is a root of many evils?
As LGBT Christians and individuals of good will, we are challenged today to be people who use our heart, not just our money to do the right thing. We are called to love God and our neighbor unconditionally and all inclusively. Because we are human, we need the help of God, the Holy Spirit to discern what she knows is the right and best thing to do. Are we open to what the Spirit has to say to us and the Church today?
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Proper 3, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, Page 823).
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 826).
Friday, May 28, 2010
It's the Little Things that Make Big Things Happen.
Matt. 13:31-35 (NRSV)
In the Collegeville Bible Commentary, New Testament Volume Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, wrote the following about this Parable.
In our society of big corporations and large consumerism we tend to think that God sees things in that way. What is big and huge is what is most productive. We may even think that a small amount of something is just too small. Yet, how many of us have known someone who recently experienced the tragic death of someone they love or had a job loss? Just taking the time to make a phone call to say we are sorry and to offer just a few words of support are enough to help that person experience some consolation A $25.00 gift card to a local grocery store given to a family struggling to stay in their home may seem like pennies, but it is $25.00 they can spend on their rent or mortgage without having to worry about food for a few days. What seems like a little to us, means a lot to God and others. And God loves it when people take just a few minutes to tell someone how much they are loved, cherished, and appreciated for all that they do. Just a few minutes listening to someone's grief takes a bit of it off of their minds and shoulders and relieves loneliness and a feeling like no one cares.
God has not placed us in this time and place just to argue, vote, make big plans and do great things that are big and expensive. God has given us the opportunity to help set up God's kingdom here and now by those little things we do for each other. Caring for the equal rights of all people, is one of those small things people can do for each other. In the last few weeks since Arizona passed the draconian anti-immigration law, thousands of Americans and many outside the U.S. have taken interest in the immigration issue. Just the expression of concern by many cities and towns deciding to boycott Arizona businesses in the name of those who are now in danger of facing discrimination due to the color of their skin and/or their accents, shows that people care about immigration. Over this past week as the vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House of Representatives to see the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Americans have weighed in with phone calls, emails and polls stating that we want gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the Military. Those small steps forward, those few phone calls complaining and asking, have been bearing fruit this week. The mood of America and others have also responded with disdain at many of the responses of the Family Research Council and the American Family Council as they have made false, bogus and horrible statements against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, indicates that Americans and Christians are moving in new directions in terms of LGBT people. All of these things are evidence that small opportunities taken advantage of, can result in big and wonderful things.
A small response to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people is enough to help people in big positions know, that we care about how other individuals are treated on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. With all due respect to the Archbishop of Canterbury who has responded negatively to the consecration of Bishop Mary Glasspool, his remarks are disturbing to say the least. When the choice is made to speak harshly towards The Episcopal Church and the Anglicans of Canada about the ordination of open LGBT Bishops and the blessing of same-sex relationships, but fail to speak harshly and publicly about the gay and transgendered couple in Malawi that has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and hard labor, as well as the situation in Uganda, sorry Archbishop Williams, but your priorities are out of order. We sincerely pray that you will open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit as she really wants to see the Anglican Communion embrace the idea that women can be ordained as Priests and Bishops, and that all of the Sacraments can be celebrated by all. Inviting everyone to the table to discuss and debate the situation is better than telling one group they are no longer invited to Ecumenical discussions and other occasions, does not encourage Ecumenism or the inclusive message of Jesus Christ. I remain a proud new member of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. I am so thankful for how the Episcopal Church has opened the doors to embrace me and my partner as a gay couple, as well as women and other LGBT individuals.
Let us all acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in those little things we do at her gentle whisper and encouragement. May all of us place our hearts, minds and desires at the prompting of the Holy Spirit's beautiful and gentle movement, as she beacons the followers of Jesus Christ to open those boxes so many of us have placed God in to. The Holy Spirit wants to smash open those boxes through those little things that we do, so that she can blow through the Church and the world to renew the face of the earth.
Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
"I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world."
In the Collegeville Bible Commentary, New Testament Volume Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, wrote the following about this Parable.
(See Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21). The Parables of the Mustard seed and the leaven use every day things to illustrate the dynamic of the kingdom of God. The activity of God in the ministry of Jesus seems as small as a mustard seed or as a little yeast, but its result in the fullness of God's rule will be very great. The comparisons suggest that in Jesus' preaching, the kingdom already has a present dimension and that the process moving toward its fullness has in some way been inaugurated. The part of Jesus' discourse that was addressed to the crowds ends (vv. 34-35) by explaining that he used parables in order to fulfill Ps. 78:2. (Page 882).
In our society of big corporations and large consumerism we tend to think that God sees things in that way. What is big and huge is what is most productive. We may even think that a small amount of something is just too small. Yet, how many of us have known someone who recently experienced the tragic death of someone they love or had a job loss? Just taking the time to make a phone call to say we are sorry and to offer just a few words of support are enough to help that person experience some consolation A $25.00 gift card to a local grocery store given to a family struggling to stay in their home may seem like pennies, but it is $25.00 they can spend on their rent or mortgage without having to worry about food for a few days. What seems like a little to us, means a lot to God and others. And God loves it when people take just a few minutes to tell someone how much they are loved, cherished, and appreciated for all that they do. Just a few minutes listening to someone's grief takes a bit of it off of their minds and shoulders and relieves loneliness and a feeling like no one cares.
God has not placed us in this time and place just to argue, vote, make big plans and do great things that are big and expensive. God has given us the opportunity to help set up God's kingdom here and now by those little things we do for each other. Caring for the equal rights of all people, is one of those small things people can do for each other. In the last few weeks since Arizona passed the draconian anti-immigration law, thousands of Americans and many outside the U.S. have taken interest in the immigration issue. Just the expression of concern by many cities and towns deciding to boycott Arizona businesses in the name of those who are now in danger of facing discrimination due to the color of their skin and/or their accents, shows that people care about immigration. Over this past week as the vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House of Representatives to see the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Americans have weighed in with phone calls, emails and polls stating that we want gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the Military. Those small steps forward, those few phone calls complaining and asking, have been bearing fruit this week. The mood of America and others have also responded with disdain at many of the responses of the Family Research Council and the American Family Council as they have made false, bogus and horrible statements against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, indicates that Americans and Christians are moving in new directions in terms of LGBT people. All of these things are evidence that small opportunities taken advantage of, can result in big and wonderful things.
A small response to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people is enough to help people in big positions know, that we care about how other individuals are treated on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. With all due respect to the Archbishop of Canterbury who has responded negatively to the consecration of Bishop Mary Glasspool, his remarks are disturbing to say the least. When the choice is made to speak harshly towards The Episcopal Church and the Anglicans of Canada about the ordination of open LGBT Bishops and the blessing of same-sex relationships, but fail to speak harshly and publicly about the gay and transgendered couple in Malawi that has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and hard labor, as well as the situation in Uganda, sorry Archbishop Williams, but your priorities are out of order. We sincerely pray that you will open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit as she really wants to see the Anglican Communion embrace the idea that women can be ordained as Priests and Bishops, and that all of the Sacraments can be celebrated by all. Inviting everyone to the table to discuss and debate the situation is better than telling one group they are no longer invited to Ecumenical discussions and other occasions, does not encourage Ecumenism or the inclusive message of Jesus Christ. I remain a proud new member of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. I am so thankful for how the Episcopal Church has opened the doors to embrace me and my partner as a gay couple, as well as women and other LGBT individuals.
Let us all acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in those little things we do at her gentle whisper and encouragement. May all of us place our hearts, minds and desires at the prompting of the Holy Spirit's beautiful and gentle movement, as she beacons the followers of Jesus Christ to open those boxes so many of us have placed God in to. The Holy Spirit wants to smash open those boxes through those little things that we do, so that she can blow through the Church and the world to renew the face of the earth.
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sunday closest to May 25, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Uganda's LGBT Communities Peril: Courtesy of American Evangelicals
Matt. 13:24-30 (NRSV)
Last night my partner and I watched with amazement and disbelief the documentary "Missionaries of Hate" on Current TV. You can see the trailer on You Tube. This Vangaard commentary of interviews, footage and stories tells of how American Evangelicals through the careless use of Biblical Literalism have caused an entire nation of people to hate homosexuals to the point where the majority of the population in Uganda supports a bill that if passed would imprison and/or sentence known homosexuals to death by hanging. The climate for the LGBT citizens of Uganda was already difficult, but last year a group of Evangelicals held a conference that lasted for several days. Evangelicals told the people of Uganda that adult homosexuals seek to recruit children into sexual acts that includes the eating of feces. This information has caused such a climate of misinformation about LGBT people to the point where Uganda's local news media has begun publicizing the names and faces of individuals who become known homosexuals, so that should the bill pass, these individuals would be among the first to be put in jail or hanged.
There were many parts of the documentary that were so very disturbing. There was an interview with a father who said that if his own daughter came out as a lesbian, he would prefer to support the notion of his daughter being put to death rather than love his own daughter. He claimed that he would be ashamed to consider his daughter, his daughter if she were to admit that she was a homosexual.
Not to be outdone, was a comment by Scott Lively, an American Evangelical who was part of the conference that was in Uganda last year. Scott Lively commented that while he felt that Uganda's bill was harsh, he sees Uganda's "kill the gays" bill as being a far less evil than allowing the gay agenda that has corrupted the United States and Western Civilization to deteriorate the moral fabric of Uganda.
It is situations such as this that make it very difficult for LGBT citizens here and abroad to believe that they can and should embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hope in God to find salvation. It is estimated that every five hours an LGBT teen takes their life. It is further estimated that for every LGBT teen that takes their life through suicide, there are at least 20 more who attempt to take their life. Among the reasons why, is because of religious reasons. Many LGBT individuals have been told that there is no place in this world for them and God so long as they are LGBT. No wonder so many LGBT individuals do not believe, nor do they want to believe in God or go to church.
The true sadness behind all of this information is that it is all the wrong message about LGBT individuals, that God wants us to know. I began this blog with the Gospel for today, and would like to put a new twist on it. God's good harvest includes those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered. In Psalm 139 verse 14 we are told to pray: "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works: that I know very well."
Furthermore, in the Wisdom of Solomon chapter 11: 23 to 26 we read:
Every person, whether straight or gay, or any other nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, class, challenge, gender is created and loved by God. God has redeemed all people including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons through the blood of Jesus Christ and has empowered us with grace in the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 states that: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: every thing old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" The word anyone is an inclusive term. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons are people who have been renewed in Christ by his precious blood, as well as called and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. God's love for all of God's children does not stop at any individuals sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. God's loving mercy and blessing does not stop because two people of the same sex love each other romantically, physically and spiritually. God's loving kindness, generosity and freely giving presence does not stop because an individual sees his/her gender as being different than how they were born.
As God's beautiful individuals who are coming up out of the good soil of God's loving creation include LGBT individuals. Those who would create a Church or world by which LGBT people should experience discrimination and violence could be considered those nasty weeds planted by an enemy. When we talk about what will be gathered up and burned, it could very well mean that hate, prejudice and violence and those who perpetuate it could be included among the weeds. God's garden has many beautiful flowers and people, and there is no single individual or being that is any less important to God than anyone else.
May all Christians of good will sign the Uganda Declaration to help call Faith leaders, Governments and all people to act on behalf of the LGBT citizens of Uganda and the couple in prison in Malawi. Furthermore, I hope and pray that all Christians who have a passion for the inclusive Christian Gospel, will help correct the misinformation about homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered people that has been spread by the religious right. We have every right and reason to tell fundamentalist Christians, that spreading a message of hate across this country or anywhere else for that matter is not evangelism.
The message of hope and salvation that is truly offered by Jesus Christ and the Church is one of inclusive and unconditional love. The Faith that God calls all people to is a personal Faith that is between the individual and their God. The Church that was called by the Holy Spirit is one that loves and welcomes people of all languages, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations and/or gender identities and expressions. It is time that God's Church become the inclusive House of worship for all peoples.
He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' "
Last night my partner and I watched with amazement and disbelief the documentary "Missionaries of Hate" on Current TV. You can see the trailer on You Tube. This Vangaard commentary of interviews, footage and stories tells of how American Evangelicals through the careless use of Biblical Literalism have caused an entire nation of people to hate homosexuals to the point where the majority of the population in Uganda supports a bill that if passed would imprison and/or sentence known homosexuals to death by hanging. The climate for the LGBT citizens of Uganda was already difficult, but last year a group of Evangelicals held a conference that lasted for several days. Evangelicals told the people of Uganda that adult homosexuals seek to recruit children into sexual acts that includes the eating of feces. This information has caused such a climate of misinformation about LGBT people to the point where Uganda's local news media has begun publicizing the names and faces of individuals who become known homosexuals, so that should the bill pass, these individuals would be among the first to be put in jail or hanged.
There were many parts of the documentary that were so very disturbing. There was an interview with a father who said that if his own daughter came out as a lesbian, he would prefer to support the notion of his daughter being put to death rather than love his own daughter. He claimed that he would be ashamed to consider his daughter, his daughter if she were to admit that she was a homosexual.
Not to be outdone, was a comment by Scott Lively, an American Evangelical who was part of the conference that was in Uganda last year. Scott Lively commented that while he felt that Uganda's bill was harsh, he sees Uganda's "kill the gays" bill as being a far less evil than allowing the gay agenda that has corrupted the United States and Western Civilization to deteriorate the moral fabric of Uganda.
It is situations such as this that make it very difficult for LGBT citizens here and abroad to believe that they can and should embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hope in God to find salvation. It is estimated that every five hours an LGBT teen takes their life. It is further estimated that for every LGBT teen that takes their life through suicide, there are at least 20 more who attempt to take their life. Among the reasons why, is because of religious reasons. Many LGBT individuals have been told that there is no place in this world for them and God so long as they are LGBT. No wonder so many LGBT individuals do not believe, nor do they want to believe in God or go to church.
The true sadness behind all of this information is that it is all the wrong message about LGBT individuals, that God wants us to know. I began this blog with the Gospel for today, and would like to put a new twist on it. God's good harvest includes those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered. In Psalm 139 verse 14 we are told to pray: "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works: that I know very well."
Furthermore, in the Wisdom of Solomon chapter 11: 23 to 26 we read:
"But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things and you overlook people's sins, so that they may repent. For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it. How would anything have endured if you had not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved? You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living."
Every person, whether straight or gay, or any other nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, class, challenge, gender is created and loved by God. God has redeemed all people including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons through the blood of Jesus Christ and has empowered us with grace in the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 states that: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: every thing old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" The word anyone is an inclusive term. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons are people who have been renewed in Christ by his precious blood, as well as called and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. God's love for all of God's children does not stop at any individuals sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. God's loving mercy and blessing does not stop because two people of the same sex love each other romantically, physically and spiritually. God's loving kindness, generosity and freely giving presence does not stop because an individual sees his/her gender as being different than how they were born.
As God's beautiful individuals who are coming up out of the good soil of God's loving creation include LGBT individuals. Those who would create a Church or world by which LGBT people should experience discrimination and violence could be considered those nasty weeds planted by an enemy. When we talk about what will be gathered up and burned, it could very well mean that hate, prejudice and violence and those who perpetuate it could be included among the weeds. God's garden has many beautiful flowers and people, and there is no single individual or being that is any less important to God than anyone else.
May all Christians of good will sign the Uganda Declaration to help call Faith leaders, Governments and all people to act on behalf of the LGBT citizens of Uganda and the couple in prison in Malawi. Furthermore, I hope and pray that all Christians who have a passion for the inclusive Christian Gospel, will help correct the misinformation about homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered people that has been spread by the religious right. We have every right and reason to tell fundamentalist Christians, that spreading a message of hate across this country or anywhere else for that matter is not evangelism.
The message of hope and salvation that is truly offered by Jesus Christ and the Church is one of inclusive and unconditional love. The Faith that God calls all people to is a personal Faith that is between the individual and their God. The Church that was called by the Holy Spirit is one that loves and welcomes people of all languages, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations and/or gender identities and expressions. It is time that God's Church become the inclusive House of worship for all peoples.
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, Forever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sunday closest to May 25th, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229)
O merciful Father, who taught us in your holy Word that you would not willingly afflict us, look with pity upon the sorrows of the LGBT Community around the world for whom our prayers are offered. Remember us, O Lord, in mercy, nourish our souls with patience, comfort us with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon us, and give us peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for People in Trouble or Bereavement, Book of Common Prayer, Page 831).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 826).
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
We Are Called To Serve All: Do We Give a Damn?
See Luke 5: 1-11 (NRSV)
Today, the Anglican Communion celebrates Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury. When he became the first Archbishop he found himself doing a job that was next to impossible. The Church and the local government were at odds even then. What started out as what was suppose to be a ministry of unity, found himself surrounded with discord and inner fighting. Not much unlike how things are today.
God"s followers are called to break new ground. What we are asked to do will bring with it many adversaries. There is no Bishop, Priest, Deacon, lay person, business manager, music director, building cleaner, mother, father, child, spouses or all kinds that do not face and deal with difficulty as part of their life and/or vocation. When faced with huge challenges, most of us at one time or another ask that it be taken away from us, because it is just too much to handle. Once we start a project with God's help we can find that we do have God's help, but we still have to face our challenges.
A great question for us to ask ourselves is how are we facing the challenges that God has placed before us? Another good question for us is are we a source of unity and inclusion, or are we part of the disunity and exclusive people within the Church?
When the Christian religion is used by right wing extremists to promote bigotry and violence, the results are horrific to put it politely. Tonight on Current TV, GLAD will be showing the film Missionaries of Hate. This documentary will show in detail the work of American Evangelicals who led missionary activity that has led to the "Kill the Gays Bill" in Uganda. Here is a perfect example of what happens when those who carelessly practice and preach Biblical Literalism against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, and export such bigotry to other countries. This is no longer just a matter of religious and moral opinions. What is happening is attitudes of discrimination and violence based on the Bible are being taught to peoples in other nations that are taking what is being taught to them, to suggest that genocide and a real holocaust to LGBT citizens of another country is a good option. This kind of thing is not something that anyone in America or Christianity should be rejoicing in.
When Jesus called those first Apostles, I guarantee you he did not check the sexual orientation or social status of any of them. For those of us who are literally drowning in how much of the world has been Anglicized, keep in mind that Jesus and his disciples were not English-Anglo Saxon's or Italians or European. They were middle-eastern people under the oppression of the Roman Empire. What Jesus and his disciples did, was begin a movement by which those who had been marginalized because society and their religious establishment had kicked them aside and left to their own because they did not fit some social status or they did not obey all of the religious rules of the day. Jesus did not see the marginalized or stigmatized by their social status or because they did not obey the rules. Jesus saw each individual, male or female as an individual who should be loved and served because of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love. Not only should those pushed aside be loved, and served, they should also be invited to serve God and the Church. Those first Apostles did not go to a seminary or learn from the top theologians of the day. They were every day ordinary people, who were called to become "fishers of people" to apply all that they knew how to do, to doing something completely different.
When those who are leading the Church take notice of those who are stigmatized and speak on their behalf, it is amazing how they are noticed. In today's Episcopal Lead, the Anglican Bishops of South Africa called for the release of the couple imprisoned in Malawi.
Yet, again, when Christians use their power to hate, it is also recognized by many and rightfully so, looked upon with disgust and disbelief. For example in Think Progress it was noted that:
These things are not cool as we say. They are very disturbing, as they are also abusive of not only the Bible, but the Christian Religion and LGBT people too. It is the business of Christians to speak up when such trash as this is spoken, and say NO to any kind of discrimination and violence. The spiritual, social and political violence of LGBT people, needs to be called out for what it is. NO, it is not Christian.
May we see and understand as followers of Jesus Christ that there is a call and a need to follow the Gospel and to call Christians misusing the Faith for purposes that are not in keeping with who Jesus is or is about. Like Augustine of Canterbury we are called to serve God and the Church in the middle of a mess. And God has so many wonderful plans for us, if only we will place ourselves in God's service.
"When Simon Peter saw (all the fish they had caught), he fell down on his knees, saying: "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazined at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him." (Luke 4: 8-11).
Today, the Anglican Communion celebrates Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury. When he became the first Archbishop he found himself doing a job that was next to impossible. The Church and the local government were at odds even then. What started out as what was suppose to be a ministry of unity, found himself surrounded with discord and inner fighting. Not much unlike how things are today.
God"s followers are called to break new ground. What we are asked to do will bring with it many adversaries. There is no Bishop, Priest, Deacon, lay person, business manager, music director, building cleaner, mother, father, child, spouses or all kinds that do not face and deal with difficulty as part of their life and/or vocation. When faced with huge challenges, most of us at one time or another ask that it be taken away from us, because it is just too much to handle. Once we start a project with God's help we can find that we do have God's help, but we still have to face our challenges.
A great question for us to ask ourselves is how are we facing the challenges that God has placed before us? Another good question for us is are we a source of unity and inclusion, or are we part of the disunity and exclusive people within the Church?
When the Christian religion is used by right wing extremists to promote bigotry and violence, the results are horrific to put it politely. Tonight on Current TV, GLAD will be showing the film Missionaries of Hate. This documentary will show in detail the work of American Evangelicals who led missionary activity that has led to the "Kill the Gays Bill" in Uganda. Here is a perfect example of what happens when those who carelessly practice and preach Biblical Literalism against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, and export such bigotry to other countries. This is no longer just a matter of religious and moral opinions. What is happening is attitudes of discrimination and violence based on the Bible are being taught to peoples in other nations that are taking what is being taught to them, to suggest that genocide and a real holocaust to LGBT citizens of another country is a good option. This kind of thing is not something that anyone in America or Christianity should be rejoicing in.
When Jesus called those first Apostles, I guarantee you he did not check the sexual orientation or social status of any of them. For those of us who are literally drowning in how much of the world has been Anglicized, keep in mind that Jesus and his disciples were not English-Anglo Saxon's or Italians or European. They were middle-eastern people under the oppression of the Roman Empire. What Jesus and his disciples did, was begin a movement by which those who had been marginalized because society and their religious establishment had kicked them aside and left to their own because they did not fit some social status or they did not obey all of the religious rules of the day. Jesus did not see the marginalized or stigmatized by their social status or because they did not obey the rules. Jesus saw each individual, male or female as an individual who should be loved and served because of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love. Not only should those pushed aside be loved, and served, they should also be invited to serve God and the Church. Those first Apostles did not go to a seminary or learn from the top theologians of the day. They were every day ordinary people, who were called to become "fishers of people" to apply all that they knew how to do, to doing something completely different.
When those who are leading the Church take notice of those who are stigmatized and speak on their behalf, it is amazing how they are noticed. In today's Episcopal Lead, the Anglican Bishops of South Africa called for the release of the couple imprisoned in Malawi.
We, the Bishops of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa call upon the Government of South Africa to seek the release of Stephen Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who were recently sentenced in Malawi to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour, after they shared in a traditional ceremony of engagement.
As we have previously stated, though there is a breadth of theological views among us on matters of human sexuality, we are united in opposing the criminalisation of homosexual people. We see the sentence that has been handed down to these two individuals as a gross violation of human rights and we therefore strongly condemn such sentences and behaviour towards other human beings. We emphasize the teachings of the Scriptures that all human beings are created in the image of God and therefore must be treated with respect and accorded human dignity.
Yet, again, when Christians use their power to hate, it is also recognized by many and rightfully so, looked upon with disgust and disbelief. For example in Think Progress it was noted that:
American Family Association’s (AFA) homophobic Director of Issue Analysis for Government and Public Policy, Bryan Fischer, is constantly pushing an extreme anti-gay agenda, even going after people he just thinks might be gay. This week on AFA Radio, he claimed that not only was Adolf Hitler gay, but all his “Brownshirts” were too:
FISCHER: So Hitler himself was an active homosexual. And some people wonder, didn’t the Germans, didn’t the Nazis, persecute homosexuals? And it is true they did; they persecuted effeminate homosexuals. But Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his Stormtroopers, they were his enforcers, they were his thugs. And Hitler discovered that he could not get straight soldiers to be savage and brutal and vicious enough to carry out his orders, but that homosexual solders basically had no limits and the savagery and brutality they were willing to inflict on whomever Hitler sent them after. So he surrounded himself, virtually all of the Stormtroopers, the Browshirts, were male homosexuals.
These things are not cool as we say. They are very disturbing, as they are also abusive of not only the Bible, but the Christian Religion and LGBT people too. It is the business of Christians to speak up when such trash as this is spoken, and say NO to any kind of discrimination and violence. The spiritual, social and political violence of LGBT people, needs to be called out for what it is. NO, it is not Christian.
May we see and understand as followers of Jesus Christ that there is a call and a need to follow the Gospel and to call Christians misusing the Faith for purposes that are not in keeping with who Jesus is or is about. Like Augustine of Canterbury we are called to serve God and the Church in the middle of a mess. And God has so many wonderful plans for us, if only we will place ourselves in God's service.
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, Page 227)
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sunday closest to May 25, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229)
O Lord our God, by your Son Jesus Christ you called your apostles and sent them forth to preach the Gospel to the nations: We bless your holy name for your servant Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, whose labors in propagating your Church among the English people we commemorate today; and we pray that all whom you call and send may do your will, and bide your time, and see your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Augustine, First Archbishop of Canterbury).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
By What Trees and Fruits Are We Known?
Taken from Matthew 12: 33-42 (NRSV)
By what trees and fruits are Christians known? Are we known for harsh doctrines and dogmas that only lead us to intellectual pride, but not to actually living out what the Gospels and those doctrines actually mean? Doctrines and dogmas in and of themselves are wonderful, but without taking seriously the calling of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of radical hospitality, inclusion and a desire to heal divisions within our communities and the church, those doctrines and dogmas remain just a bunch of intellectual discussions that mean nothing.
What if Jesus Christ had waited for the Church to define the doctrine of the redemption of the world before he had died on the cross? What kind of fruit would Jesus had been able to reap and share? Jesus did not wait for some council or committee to decide that it is time to welcome the stranger, heal the sick, raise the dead or to over throw the tables in the Temple. Jesus did what he did, because Jesus committed himself to God's will for all those with whom he came into contact. When the woman caught in adultery came, Jesus forgave her and set her free. Jesus acknowledged the eunuchs (the homosexuals of his time) to be holy and good. Jesus healed the Centurions same sex lover. Jesus made best friends with the women of his time. Jesus often had very harsh words for those who felt that because they followed all of the rules, that meant that the were privileged and deserving of respect and reverence. And so, Jesus the Son of God, by the tree of the cross is know for the fruit of the unconditional and all-inclusive love of God.
What about the Church in our time? By what fruit is the Church known for? What tree is the Church clinging to, so as to bear fruit that will produce compassion, reconciliation and healing for those marginalized?
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are also known by their fruits. Because we have been keeping up the pressure on President Obama and Congress as of yesterday there has been a compromise reached about including a repeal for Don't Ask, Don't Tell into the Defense Bill. There is going to be a vote this week on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell this week. There are those who are very disappointed because the bill doesn't immediately repeal the law, but allows for the Military to conclude it's study and work to prepare for the transition. I would challenge those who are concerned to perhaps see things a little differently. We would not want for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell to take place without some work on the part of the Military to be sure that the lives of openly LGBT people in our Armed Services do not face greater discrimination after it is repealed. There may be some plans in the works so that extra safe guards will be made to protect everyone's interests taking place. This could mean very good things, and so we should be praying for that to happen. We should also be challenging our President and members of Congress to see to it that all LGBT people are protected in the Military as well as in the public sphere. We need to continue to push for the inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). The LGBT communities jobs bill. And we should push for the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.
The LGBT community is known by the fruit of seeking justice and equality for all people. This is our passion, our purpose and our God given duty. All of us who are LGBT have been given the wonderful gift of loving others uniquely and whole-heartedly. We should continue to be committed to seeking full equality under the law in as much as we possibly can.
As for the United States, we have a lot of work to do. We are now known by the fruits of greed, corporate ownership and environmental destructiveness. The thousands of gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico that is destroying marsh lands, wild life, the fishing industry and people's livelihoods and beaches is outrageous. British Petroleum to this point has yet to do anything that actually stops the leaking oil, and the United States Government has yet to take serious action that takes care of the many people who are in danger of loosing everything because their careers and homes are destroyed. Even though BP's Executive says that they will "return things back to normal" that amount of environmental destruction never completely goes back to normal. We need our national and international community to take a real interest in seeing to it that those responsible are brought to justice, and that everything be done to stop the effects of this disaster. Because our oil companies lobby politicians agreeing to pay the costs of their travels when they campaign, stopping these folks from continuing to endanger wild life and the environment is not going to happen soon enough.
Christians are known by their fruits, when we take interest in the peace, justice and equality for all people. Christians are known when we are good stewards of the earth and of our time, talent and treasures. When Christians are known for using our voices on behalf of the poor, disadvantaged and those who experience prejudice, then we are known by good fruits. When we use the Bible to justify cruelty towards LGBT people in various ways, we are known by bad fruits that further destroy the Church and the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Litany for the Deepwater Horizon Disaster
This is wrong.
Lord, have mercy.
This will be wrong for a long time to come.
Lord, have mercy.
We bless greed, and we, ourselves, are filled with greed.
Lord, have mercy.
We demand more energy for our homes, autos, farms, industries, war machines
Lord, have mercy.
We demand more plastic things that begin from oil: things big and small, things exotic, things expensive, things ordinary, things cheap. And, we do not know or knowing, choose to forget, that all these things come to us at a very high price, indeed.
Lord, have mercy.
And we have come to this.
Lord, have mercy.
On the souls of the 11 men who died in the explosion in the Gulf of Mexico
Lord, have mercy.
On the bodies and souls of all injured in that explosion
Lord, have mercy.
On the families, friends, and co-workers of these people
Lord, have mercy.
On the ocean, your marvelous creation,
Lord, have mercy.
On all the creatures that live in the sea
Lord, have mercy.
On all the creatures that live on the sea
Lord, have mercy
On all the creatures that live near the sea
Lord, have mercy
On the executives of British Petroleum, Transocean, and all other associated companies
Lord, have mercy
Bless them to understand and to acknowledge what they have done
Lord, have mercy
And bless us to understand and to acknowledge that we should not have made and can no longer make the demands we have been making.
Lord, have mercy.
Can we change? Can you change us?
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
"...for the tree is known by it's fruit." (Mt. 12:33).
By what trees and fruits are Christians known? Are we known for harsh doctrines and dogmas that only lead us to intellectual pride, but not to actually living out what the Gospels and those doctrines actually mean? Doctrines and dogmas in and of themselves are wonderful, but without taking seriously the calling of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of radical hospitality, inclusion and a desire to heal divisions within our communities and the church, those doctrines and dogmas remain just a bunch of intellectual discussions that mean nothing.
What if Jesus Christ had waited for the Church to define the doctrine of the redemption of the world before he had died on the cross? What kind of fruit would Jesus had been able to reap and share? Jesus did not wait for some council or committee to decide that it is time to welcome the stranger, heal the sick, raise the dead or to over throw the tables in the Temple. Jesus did what he did, because Jesus committed himself to God's will for all those with whom he came into contact. When the woman caught in adultery came, Jesus forgave her and set her free. Jesus acknowledged the eunuchs (the homosexuals of his time) to be holy and good. Jesus healed the Centurions same sex lover. Jesus made best friends with the women of his time. Jesus often had very harsh words for those who felt that because they followed all of the rules, that meant that the were privileged and deserving of respect and reverence. And so, Jesus the Son of God, by the tree of the cross is know for the fruit of the unconditional and all-inclusive love of God.
What about the Church in our time? By what fruit is the Church known for? What tree is the Church clinging to, so as to bear fruit that will produce compassion, reconciliation and healing for those marginalized?
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are also known by their fruits. Because we have been keeping up the pressure on President Obama and Congress as of yesterday there has been a compromise reached about including a repeal for Don't Ask, Don't Tell into the Defense Bill. There is going to be a vote this week on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell this week. There are those who are very disappointed because the bill doesn't immediately repeal the law, but allows for the Military to conclude it's study and work to prepare for the transition. I would challenge those who are concerned to perhaps see things a little differently. We would not want for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell to take place without some work on the part of the Military to be sure that the lives of openly LGBT people in our Armed Services do not face greater discrimination after it is repealed. There may be some plans in the works so that extra safe guards will be made to protect everyone's interests taking place. This could mean very good things, and so we should be praying for that to happen. We should also be challenging our President and members of Congress to see to it that all LGBT people are protected in the Military as well as in the public sphere. We need to continue to push for the inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). The LGBT communities jobs bill. And we should push for the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.
The LGBT community is known by the fruit of seeking justice and equality for all people. This is our passion, our purpose and our God given duty. All of us who are LGBT have been given the wonderful gift of loving others uniquely and whole-heartedly. We should continue to be committed to seeking full equality under the law in as much as we possibly can.
As for the United States, we have a lot of work to do. We are now known by the fruits of greed, corporate ownership and environmental destructiveness. The thousands of gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico that is destroying marsh lands, wild life, the fishing industry and people's livelihoods and beaches is outrageous. British Petroleum to this point has yet to do anything that actually stops the leaking oil, and the United States Government has yet to take serious action that takes care of the many people who are in danger of loosing everything because their careers and homes are destroyed. Even though BP's Executive says that they will "return things back to normal" that amount of environmental destruction never completely goes back to normal. We need our national and international community to take a real interest in seeing to it that those responsible are brought to justice, and that everything be done to stop the effects of this disaster. Because our oil companies lobby politicians agreeing to pay the costs of their travels when they campaign, stopping these folks from continuing to endanger wild life and the environment is not going to happen soon enough.
Christians are known by their fruits, when we take interest in the peace, justice and equality for all people. Christians are known when we are good stewards of the earth and of our time, talent and treasures. When Christians are known for using our voices on behalf of the poor, disadvantaged and those who experience prejudice, then we are known by good fruits. When we use the Bible to justify cruelty towards LGBT people in various ways, we are known by bad fruits that further destroy the Church and the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Day of Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, Page 227).
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence, and your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sunday closest to May 25th, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229)
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Knowledge of God's Creation, Book of Common Prayer, Page 827).
Litany for the Deepwater Horizon Disaster
This is wrong.
Lord, have mercy.
This will be wrong for a long time to come.
Lord, have mercy.
We bless greed, and we, ourselves, are filled with greed.
Lord, have mercy.
We demand more energy for our homes, autos, farms, industries, war machines
Lord, have mercy.
We demand more plastic things that begin from oil: things big and small, things exotic, things expensive, things ordinary, things cheap. And, we do not know or knowing, choose to forget, that all these things come to us at a very high price, indeed.
Lord, have mercy.
And we have come to this.
Lord, have mercy.
On the souls of the 11 men who died in the explosion in the Gulf of Mexico
Lord, have mercy.
On the bodies and souls of all injured in that explosion
Lord, have mercy.
On the families, friends, and co-workers of these people
Lord, have mercy.
On the ocean, your marvelous creation,
Lord, have mercy.
On all the creatures that live in the sea
Lord, have mercy.
On all the creatures that live on the sea
Lord, have mercy
On all the creatures that live near the sea
Lord, have mercy
On the executives of British Petroleum, Transocean, and all other associated companies
Lord, have mercy
Bless them to understand and to acknowledge what they have done
Lord, have mercy
And bless us to understand and to acknowledge that we should not have made and can no longer make the demands we have been making.
Lord, have mercy.
Can we change? Can you change us?
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Moral Dangers of Abusive Christianity Spread Abroad
I want to begin this particular blog by stating that Christianity was never suppose to become an abusive religion. I have to go this course today, because one of the readings for today is traditionally understood as a "clobber passage" (See Chapter One of "The Children Are Free" by Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley) against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.
The more I have been thinking about what I want to write today, the more I realize writing about this particular passage is the write thing to do. There are events going on all over the country, the world and the Church that are designed to punish people because they are LGBT, mostly because of Biblical texts like this one, taken out of contact by those who take the Bible so literally.
And now, I want to present to my readers the Scripture that was part of today's Divine Office that caused me to do some study, thinking and praying about what I want to share in this blog post. Please note the bold print over what I want to highlight and the Greek word in parenthesis next to it.
The more I have been thinking about what I want to write today, the more I realize writing about this particular passage is the write thing to do. There are events going on all over the country, the world and the Church that are designed to punish people because they are LGBT, mostly because of Biblical texts like this one, taken out of contact by those who take the Bible so literally.
And now, I want to present to my readers the Scripture that was part of today's Divine Office that caused me to do some study, thinking and praying about what I want to share in this blog post. Please note the bold print over what I want to highlight and the Greek word in parenthesis next to it.
1 Timothy 1:1-17 (NRSV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites (Greek word: arsenokoitai), slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This particular wording and list of sins according to Paul, is similar to what is in 1 Corinthians 6:9. This actual list that has been put together is said by many reputable Biblical scholars to not necessarily be from Paul, but from someone or some people who interpreted the writings of Paul and also had a social and/or political stake in making sure the list was included.
What we need to be very clear about is that in this particular Scripture as with 1 Corinthians 6:9 Paul is NOT speaking about homosexuality in general when he uses the word "sodomites." He is speaking about an abusive and exploitative sexuality that was and is still common today among heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. In his book: "What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality" Dr. Daniel A. Helminiak writes the following.
"The Lesson of 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10
What is the positive teaching of 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 regarding male-male sex today? Biblical opposition to prostitution, incest or adultery does not forbid male-female sex acts as such. What the Bible opposes throughout is the abuse of heterosexuality. Likewise, if arsenokoitai does refer to male-male sex, these texts do not forbid male homogenitality as such. In first-century, Greek speaking, Jewish Christianity, arsenokoitai would have referred to exploitative, lewd and wanton sex between men. This, and not male-male sex in general, is what these biblical texts oppose.Across the board in sexual matters, the Bible calls for mutual respect, caring and responsible sharing--in a loaded word, love. The violation of these, but not sex in general, is what the Bible condemns. The lesson in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 is that this principal applies equally to hetero- and homosexuality." (Page 115).
This understanding is so very important, because of how this Scripture passage along with Genesis 19 the story of Sodom and Gomorrah that was actually destroyed because of a lack of hospitality and gang rape, not homosexuality, and Leviticus 20: 13 the ritual "abomination" not the innately immoral, and the uncustomary or socially unacceptable "unnatural" lusts described in Romans 1: 26 and 27 are used to justify cruelty towards LGBT people. These very texts have been used to help create and justify Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill, the gay and transgendered couple now imprisoned in Malawi. In Zimbabwe two gay activists were arrested and now fear torture for standing up for LGBT equality in their country. Yesterday, their lawyer was denied access to talk to the prisoners. I strongly encourage my readers to please click and sign the Uganda Declaration that is to call faith leaders and the Governments in this country and abroad to stop the violence against LGBT citizens.
This past year just here in these United States, the misuse of Scripture towards LGBT individuals has resulted in the justification of cruelty towards LGBT people. Constance McMillan reportedly had to change schools because of all of the harassment she experienced over her prom. In Florida, Parents of a drag queen have disowned their child because she got the title of Prom Queen. Many Christian organizations continue to try to push the whole issue of "trying" the Hate Crimes law, to the point of inciting violence against LGBT people to see if they can beat the system. Virginia based Pastor Jeff Owens has been recorded on You Tube for stating: "We need to stop burning flags and start burning FAGS! We need Hunt-A-Homo Week. We need to take 'em all out and shoot 'em with a scatter shotgun." In Windsor, Ontario, Chris Rabideau, who directed a play about homophobia was beaten, robbed and called all kinds of anti-gay names during an attack.
These and many other attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are most heinous because they are often done in the name of Scripture and supported by people who go by the name of Christian.
Jesus Christ did not experience his agonizing death on the Cross, rise from the dead, ascend into heaven and sent us the Holy Spirit to justify bigotry and violence of any kind. Jesus Christ did not call the Anglican Communion, the Catholic church or any other church together to organize itself as a hate group towards LGBT people, women or any other group of people in any way, shape or form. The fact that we have Christians abusing people, claiming to be doing so in the name of the Bible, and spreading it all over the world, is so not what God had in mind when God sent Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit when she descended upon those first Apostles. It is the business of all Christians of good will to speak up and do their part to eliminate cruelty, bigotry and violence towards all people singled out by fundamentalist Christians. It is our business to tell fundamentalist Christians they are misusing the Bible and spreading abusive Christianity abroad. It is our business to bring the true, peace making, justice seeking, and inclusive love spreading Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as far as we can.
May all of us do our part to tell the truth about the Scriptures and how God the Holy Spirit wishes to make her Church in the Name of Jesus Christ a welcoming inclusive Church, that participates in the ministry of radical hospitality, reconciliation and healing. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Sunday closest to May 25, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord, that, as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which may divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, Page 823).
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Day of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Comes to Unsettle and Renew the Church and the World
In Bishop Gene Robinson's book In the Eye of the Storm, Swept to the Center by God, he writes the following story.
As we read the account of Pentecost in Acts 2: 1-21 we hear that when the Holy Spirit came upon those first Apostles it was no longer business as usual. There was something so different in the Apostles that many thought they were drunk. The eight to nine days of waiting and praying were over. The early Church was given their new mission, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ who had been crucified, raised from the dead, ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. Suddenly there was room for people from all walks of life, in the early Church to experience the ministry of healing and reconciliation. How the Church and our society needs the Holy Spirit to renew that ministry today.
The Holy Spirit came to help "build new bridges" as today's Out in Scripture's commentators write.
"This is a story about Pentecost Sunday. A priest in a large church in Florida, with his usual flair for the dramatic, decided to dramatize the Holy Spirit coming like wind in a particular spectacular way. He got the engine out of one of the boats used in the Everglades--an airplane propeller attached to a big gasoline engine--and mounted it in the choir loft high in the back of the church. The wind from the propeller would blow out across the congregation when the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit was read. It seemed like a great idea.
The priest and an usher gave it a dry run on Saturday afternoon, and although it was incredibly noisy, it worked just fine, and promised a spectacular effect for Sunday morning. So when the great moment arrived, and the lector read, "And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind and it filled the entire house," the engine coughed once and then howled into life.
But the effect was a little different than it has been at rehearsal. The sudden screaming gust of wind sent sheet music and bulletins flying out over the congregation. Coiffures came undone and hair streamed out from faces. The preacher's sermon notes were gone with the wind. A hairpiece flew toward the altar like a furry missile. It was like a scene from the play "Green Pastures," when the Angel Gabriel looks down from heaven and says to the Lord, "Everything that was nailed down is comin' loose!"
Everything was messy, and noisy, and absolutely unpredictable. And that's just the way it is with the Spirit. It's that part of God that refuses to be contained in the little boxes we create for God to live in, safely confined to the careful boundaries we set for God's Spirit. The problem is--and the miracle is--God just won't stay put. And God won't let you and me stay put, content to believe what we've always believed, what we've always been taught, what we've always assumed. Change isn't just something to be wished on our enemies--but something God requires of us as well." (Pages 9-10).
As we read the account of Pentecost in Acts 2: 1-21 we hear that when the Holy Spirit came upon those first Apostles it was no longer business as usual. There was something so different in the Apostles that many thought they were drunk. The eight to nine days of waiting and praying were over. The early Church was given their new mission, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ who had been crucified, raised from the dead, ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. Suddenly there was room for people from all walks of life, in the early Church to experience the ministry of healing and reconciliation. How the Church and our society needs the Holy Spirit to renew that ministry today.
The Holy Spirit came to help "build new bridges" as today's Out in Scripture's commentators write.
In Acts 2:1-21 the promise and hope of Pentecost is that the gift of God's Spirit bridges human division. It gives the capacity to communicate across language and race. People from different cultures and religions, with different values and worldviews, were given a common language. They appeared to be simultaneously[RAR1] given a desire to listen to one another. A holy possibility — human understanding — was made manifest in the crowd gathered in Jerusalem. It is a gift for prophecy that is poured out on all, women and men, the young and the old, enslaved and free, the straight and the queer.
Our Pentecost drama calls us to build a bridge, not a tower. That bridge is built on the promise and hope of Christ that makes a way in the desert of our misunderstanding. The common language might be creative enough that it's new for all sides, uncomfortable and awkward when we first try it out. But every day we learn new words within our culture, words which usher into our lives new meaning, possibilities, even new creations.
Pentecost reminds us that we have this capacity and God gives us the desire and the words to speak to one another in ways that lead to peace. In the middle of the chaos and confusion, misunderstanding and brokenness, God was and is present in creative, life-giving ways.
In Romans 8:14-17, the apostle Paul — courageous enough to go to Philippi and also to Rome, the center of imperial power — now calls forth that same courage from new believers who live in Rome. Stop acting so afraid, he tells them. Stop being a doormat for those in power! You're not a slave to those who would do you harm and keep you quiet! Quit your passive ways! You, too, are children of God, heirs to the promises and to the love of God. Stop acting like displaced, unwanted stepchildren and get on with your lives. God's powerful, creative, sustaining Spirit rests on you, lives in you and gives you what you need to live abundant lives. Claim those promises. The Spirit makes anyone who receives it a beloved child of God, a daughter or son — not a servant or subordinate stranger.
Since at least the 1940s, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians in the United States have founded communities of welcome and witness. These bands of prophets spread the gift of the Spirit of God. Now, after half a century, their witness has found unexpected fulfillment in the policy changes of many Christian churches. But the important work of the small communities continues.
When Jesus promises his spirit in John 14:8-17, he describes it as an advocate or defender, but also as a teacher and reminder. Telling the truth about the realities LGBT people live every day — our stories — is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit that helps us to be brave. The Spirit enables us to tell the truth (sometimes painful, embarrassing, humiliating, maddening, funny and redemptive). This is the Spirit that gives us the new, creative vocabulary we need to build bridges and new vision, not just for our community, but also for the church and the world.
LGBT individuals can take some credit for how the Holy Spirit has been kind upsetting people's comfort zones in the Church. Clearly, Bishop Gene Robinson and now Bishop Mary Glasspool are two individuals through whom the Holy Spirit has been busy shaking up the Anglican Communion. What the Holy Spirit has been doing is shaking up the prejudice that still exists in many throughout the world wide Anglican Communion, and even challenging the Archbishop of Canterbury as to how he might approach the issue of human sexuality among Bishops who are ready to divide the Communion. There is a challenge for everyone in this controversy. The bigger challenge is not just the full inclusion of LGBT people to be able to serve openly as Bishops, but also to keep everyone at the table to discuss and be challenged over the differences everyone has. I would like to note that it is the conservatives who are really challenging the Archbishop of Canterbury to dis-invite the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada from the Anglican Communion so as to make the conservatives the new "accepted" group of Anglicans. The Episcopal Church as well as the Anglican's of Canada would very much like to remain at the table to discuss openly our issues of why LGBT and women should be included as Bishops, Priests and Deacons in the Anglican Communion. If there is going to be an ending to the issue, then among the things that must happen is everyone needs to be invited to the table to discuss, debate and be opened to a change of heart and mind. Before anyone says: "And how about the LGBT people being open to what the traditional understanding of Scripture is, and going back into the closet to keep quiet" most of us who are out and have accepted our sexuality, have already paid many years of misery and difficulty to get where we are. No one wishes the life of living in the closet with no way to express the real essence of who we are upon ourselves, our friends, and families.
Over this past year we have seen how hetero-sexism has reared it's ugly head in the anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. The continual assault of religious right Christians here in the United States through organizations like Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, the Catholic church and many more that cannot be named, have attempted to put the Holy Spirit into the box of "heterosexuals only". There continues to be great fear among Christians that is creating an atmosphere of homophobia so that the Church will discriminate against LGBT people. A careful reading and examining the Scriptures and we will see that excluding people from the Church is contrary to the will of God.
In Paul's letter to the Romans he writes: "All who are led by the Spirit of God, are children of God." (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit has blessed and continues to bless many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people with her very own power and loving presence. The Holy Spirit who represents the feminine nature of God, is the Mother of all who live and breath by God's will and power. All who have been blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit, are also blessed to be among her very own children, that is children of God. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are among those that the Holy Spirit has given her divine power, presence and calling in the world and the Church. The Holy Spirit desires that there be a place in the Church for all of her children. God's Holy Spirit calls men, women, heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgendered, Caucasian, African American, Native American Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern, European, Hispanic and South American, challenged and beyond to participate in the four orders of Ministry in the Church, Laity, Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Thanks be to God, that at the last General Convention, the Episcopal Church agreed that the Holy Spirit can and does call all individuals including LGBT to discern Church related vocations.
The Holy Spirit came on that first Pentecost to unsettle our comfort zones, and call us to build up an inclusive, welcoming Church in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord. The Church is home to all kinds of people, from all walks of life and all languages and sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. LGBT people are among those people that the Holy Spirit uses to unsettle those who are comfortable with God in God's box. We should never apologize or stop allowing the Holy Spirit to use us to do wonderful things, even when it makes others just a little uncomfortable or even angry. The Holy Spirit is forever challenging the Church and us to new understandings of ourselves and others around us. Thanks be to God.
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Day of Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, Page 227).
O God, who on this day tougth the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Day of Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, Page 227).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Give to Us New Hearts
Ezekiel 36: 25-27
Here we are the day before Pentecost. There is a messy oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with corporations and governments pointing fingers at each other as to who is to blame or who will take responsibility. A gay couple in Malawi has been put in prison with hard labor for 14 years because they announced that they are engaged. Kentucky Republican Senate Candidate Rand Paul has been dodging questions about whether or not he opposes the Civil Rights Act and might be interested in repealing some of that. Those who practice Biblical literalism are continuing to wage their war against the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. The State of Arizona continues to exercise the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah by not showing hospitality to immigrants and allowing racial profiling. This world is in need of the Holy Spirit to come and give us all new hearts of compassion and understanding for our neighbors and those in need.
In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus shows us a different heart. A heart that is literally infused with love for God and neighbor. Notice who comes and asks Jesus to lay his hand on his daughter. A leader from the local synagogue. Jesus could have responded "no", after all it was mostly the religious establishment of his time that was rejecting him. Jesus does not do that, he goes to raise his daughter from the dead. In the process a woman comes forward just to touch his garment, and because of her faith, she was made well. These events show what happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts and go beyond the social status quo and become a voice and a helping hand for those who are marginalized. When we are willing to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, healing between social classes can happen and others can experience the redeeming power of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Today we are celebrating for the first time the birthday of the gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk. He was an individual who was marginalized by society because he was gay, and he saw other LGBT people like himself experiencing discrimination. However, unlike most of us who sit around waiting for someone else to do something, Harvey Milk decided to be that someone who would make a difference. He became a symbol of hope for so many other LGBT people in ways that are still being experienced today. Sometimes the Holy Spirit implants new hearts into our lives, by someone else's hard work. All it takes is one person stepping forward who begins a movement and suddenly others are becoming part of the work of liberation.
That change of society and the Church needs to keep going. Now we are seeing hetero-sexism and horrible homophobia in Africa and many other places, partially transported there by fundamentalists here in the United States. I want to invite those who read my blog to sign the Uganda Declaration. This declaration speaks out against the couple that has been put in prison in Malawi as well as Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill. There has been mixed news about the Uganda bill. Some say it has been stopped, others say it is going to be going in to the HIV transmission legislation. Basically it would give the Government the power to put in prison or execute someone who transmits HIV through homosexuality. In many African countries, Lesbian women are raped as a way to try to "change" them into heterosexual women. These rapes are considered allowable by many governments. Clearly our world, our society and the Church needs a new Spirit, with a message of compassion and inclusion.
Holy Spirit, please come and change the hearts and minds of our world and Church to better reflect the love, mercy and inclusive love of God in Jesus Christ. Amen.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.
Here we are the day before Pentecost. There is a messy oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with corporations and governments pointing fingers at each other as to who is to blame or who will take responsibility. A gay couple in Malawi has been put in prison with hard labor for 14 years because they announced that they are engaged. Kentucky Republican Senate Candidate Rand Paul has been dodging questions about whether or not he opposes the Civil Rights Act and might be interested in repealing some of that. Those who practice Biblical literalism are continuing to wage their war against the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. The State of Arizona continues to exercise the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah by not showing hospitality to immigrants and allowing racial profiling. This world is in need of the Holy Spirit to come and give us all new hearts of compassion and understanding for our neighbors and those in need.
While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. (Matthew 9: 18-26)
In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus shows us a different heart. A heart that is literally infused with love for God and neighbor. Notice who comes and asks Jesus to lay his hand on his daughter. A leader from the local synagogue. Jesus could have responded "no", after all it was mostly the religious establishment of his time that was rejecting him. Jesus does not do that, he goes to raise his daughter from the dead. In the process a woman comes forward just to touch his garment, and because of her faith, she was made well. These events show what happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts and go beyond the social status quo and become a voice and a helping hand for those who are marginalized. When we are willing to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, healing between social classes can happen and others can experience the redeeming power of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Today we are celebrating for the first time the birthday of the gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk. He was an individual who was marginalized by society because he was gay, and he saw other LGBT people like himself experiencing discrimination. However, unlike most of us who sit around waiting for someone else to do something, Harvey Milk decided to be that someone who would make a difference. He became a symbol of hope for so many other LGBT people in ways that are still being experienced today. Sometimes the Holy Spirit implants new hearts into our lives, by someone else's hard work. All it takes is one person stepping forward who begins a movement and suddenly others are becoming part of the work of liberation.
That change of society and the Church needs to keep going. Now we are seeing hetero-sexism and horrible homophobia in Africa and many other places, partially transported there by fundamentalists here in the United States. I want to invite those who read my blog to sign the Uganda Declaration. This declaration speaks out against the couple that has been put in prison in Malawi as well as Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill. There has been mixed news about the Uganda bill. Some say it has been stopped, others say it is going to be going in to the HIV transmission legislation. Basically it would give the Government the power to put in prison or execute someone who transmits HIV through homosexuality. In many African countries, Lesbian women are raped as a way to try to "change" them into heterosexual women. These rapes are considered allowable by many governments. Clearly our world, our society and the Church needs a new Spirit, with a message of compassion and inclusion.
Holy Spirit, please come and change the hearts and minds of our world and Church to better reflect the love, mercy and inclusive love of God in Jesus Christ. Amen.
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter; The Sunday after Ascension Day, Book of Common Prayer, Page 226)
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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