Ascension Day: Jesus Is Always With Us

One might think that because today is Ascension Day that talking about the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals in society and the Church might seem a bit odd.   However, if we are going to talk about full inclusion then we must stop thinking that there are certain days to discuss the subject and other days to avoid it.  Because until there is a greater understanding that every person is invited to celebrate the Eucharist together as well as contemplate how the mysteries of our Christian Faith apply to all people, then the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ given before he ascended might as well be a fairy tale.  In fact, for many, it is a fairy tale.  It has yet to actually happen for people who are still to this day told that there is no place at the Table because they do not fit certain social classes. 

As I was praying the Divine Office this morning, I came across some interesting reminders that all of us would do well to keep in front of our minds and hearts.  In the book of Daniel is written the following words:

As I watched in the night visions,
I saw one like a human being
coming with the clouds of heaven.
And he came to the Ancient One
and was presented before him.
To him was given dominion
and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
that shall never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13, 14).

There again is the word all.  When the Scriptures use the word all it is quite clear that they were not talking about the laundry detergent.  This was a vision that Daniel had that prefigured Jesus the Son of God as ruler over all people.  Not only is Jesus ruler of all but he wants all to serve him.  And notice that it says: all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.  


This is why the Arizona Immigration law and now the law that has been signed in removing all ethnic studies form Arizona's public school system is so outrageous.  In a conversation with Archbishop Desmond Tutu he said:

" I do not disagree with the calls to boycott the businesses in the State until [the law] is turned around."

Tutu ends by drawing a parallel between the drivers of migration today, and of the past:

The problem of migrating populations is not going to go away any time soon. If anyone should know this, it should be Americans, many of whom landed here themselves to escape persecution, famine or conflict. With the eyes of the world now on them, Arizona has the opportunity to create a new model for dealing with the pitfalls, and help the nation as a whole find its way through the problems of illegal immigration. But to work, it must be a model that is based on a deep respect for the essential human rights Americans themselves have grown up enjoying.

The call for all to serve God+ is why the constant discrimination towards LGBT people in the Church is such a contradiction to the Gospel.   This upcoming weekend the Episcopal Church will once again remind the world that all people, every where can be called to discern a call to serve Christ and the Church and that includes women and LGBT people.  This Saturday the Diocese of Los Angeles will ordain Bishops Bruce and Glasspool to serve the Episcopal Church.  Both individuals have been blessed with incredible gifts and abilities.  Thank you to our wonderful Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori who is prepared to consecrate and ordain these two wonderful women, despite the opinions of many conservatives within the Anglican Communion.

As we celebrate the Ascension today, we are reminded that Jesus ascended to the right hand of God to take with him all of our humanity to forever be in the presence of God.  Everything that is both beautiful and broken about our human condition is interceding at this moment at the right hand of God for every human person in every time, place and culture.  Matthew 28: 16 to 20 reminds us that it was the wish that the Apostles that were left behind were to baptize all nations in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Creator, Servant and Life-giver. 

In the readings from today's Eucharist particularly Luke 24: 44-53 we read that Jesus has accomplished what God sent him to do, and has fulfilled what the Scriptures said of him.   Jesus died and rose again that the message of forgiveness and reconciliation would be preached to all nations.  There is that word all again. 

As we recall the Ascension of Jesus, we also want to keep in mind the message that Jesus gave us to remember those who are lonely, poor, excluded, sick, without the means to care for their daily lives, and without someone to love them.  LGBT people are among those who have been not only treated as if no one loves them, but told to their face that God hates us because we are LGBT.  You don't see Fred Phelps lining up with "God Hates" signs at just any group of people's gatherings, though he does picket at the funeral for fallen military soldiers.  But he doesn't picket there saying that the country is doomed because we have accepted African Americans, he does it because he wants to spread bias against LGBT people.  He did not picket Bishop Robinson's consecration and ordination because he was a bad Bishop, but because he is gay, and the Episcopal Church chose to consecrate and ordain him.  People who are told they are to be excluded from serving the Church or participating in the life and ministry of the Church just because they are LGBT, are among those whom God desires to bring closer to God's Self so that God can ordain and consecrate them to serve and be served in God's Church.  This is why God answered the prayers of the Diocese of New Hampshire and now is answering the prayers of the Diocese of Los Angeles.  And thank God, God heard and answered through the consent of the Standing Committee's and Bishops within the Episcopal Church. 

Where do we see Jesus calling us to serve God and the Church?  Whom are we excluding from God's Church and family?  How is God calling us to help make the Church more inclusive for LGBT people and other groups that are second class citizens of society and the Church?

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for Ascension Day, Book of Common Prayer, Page 226).

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).