"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
Do not worry, huh? It seems easy to read, but difficult to do considering how many people are without work, food and the means to care for their everyday needs. In this difficult economy coupled with Wall Street executives, health insurance execs and owner's of oil companies making billion dollar profits, while others barely afford a place to live it is difficult to hear Jesus telling us not to worry about what we will eat or drink, or what we will wear. Where are the Biblical literalists over this one? Oh yeah, they make millions of dollars, because so many of them are capitalists and therefore they really do not have much to worry about.
As evil and abusive as much of what is going on in our present day economy is, they are still not beyond the mercy and grace of God. There is the old hymn with the lyrics: "God works in a mysterious way, God's wonders to perform. God plants God's footsteps on the sea and rides upon the storm." God is still present and caring for us even when the circumstances of our lives are so miserably unjust or unfair. Does this kind of thing extend to equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people? Yes!
Many LGBT individuals including myself are experiencing job losses, hard economic times and a Government that has placed what is best for us on the bottom of their priority list. Lest the Church be left out, the Church also still needs to work on those places where they remain exclusive in their social justice programs to help those who need help in these times of economic hardship. There have been many LGBT couples and families that have been turned away from the Salvation Army when they have appealed there for help. Many churches still turn away people with HIV/AIDS unless they agree to change their attitudes about the "lifestyle that got them to where they are."
This Gospel for today is more than just a call to trust in God, it is also a wake up call for Christians. As God cares for and about everyone, so should Christians. God cares about us and does provide that is true. But part of God providing for us when we are in need, is providing others who also care about what we need. Once a man was praying and said: "God, why haven't you sent someone to feed all the hungry people?" God replied back and said: "I did send someone to help, I sent you." God is our strength and our help, but God also sends us to be the strength and help for others so that they too may know God's love and mercy. In Jesus's inauguration address in Luke 4: 16-19 Jesus knows that the Spirit of the Lord was upon HIM to bring good news to the poor and to release the captives. So God also sends us through the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of Jesus in today's time. We are the hands, feet and heart of Jesus who helps others know that God is with them and cares for and about them.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals have a great opportunity to discern how we can be there for each other, and help in times of hardship. One way we can help is to encourage our government to pass the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). This particular piece of legislation is the LGBT Communities "Jobs bill" that will make it a federal crime for employers to discriminate against LGBT people. The religious right is trying very hard to make the legislation about public bathrooms by which there will be problems with sexual assault brought on by transgendered individuals. It is a right winged scare tactic to be sure. However, all of us have an opportunity to speak up and ask our senators and congressional leaders to make this bill a priority for our community. This is one way that we show that God is caring for all of God's holy people. By helping out at local AIDS help centers where some just prepare hot meals every day is one way we can help our community members.
God does move in mysterious ways, when we place ourselves at the service of God and others. God's grace becomes visible and God's transcendence becomes very close and real when we make the efforts to help others. The mystery of God caring for all of us, so that we do not have to give in to worry becomes part of everyone's conversation and lifestyle when we accept as part of our own vocation the duty of helping others.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; 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 Fifth Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer, Page 225).
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)
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