When something exciting is about to happen there are announcements sent out. Someone delivers a very special message about an event so wonderful and exciting. We often get caught up in the news itself and the announcer very seldom is of any significance. The prophet who was to give the news that God was coming to bring salvation to God's people was a very special and unique person. He was not like most people. He showed his love of God in a unique way and drew people into a new relationship with God and others around them. He prepared people for the One who would soon come and increase as St. John the Baptist would decrease. When Jesus came upon the scene the forerunner diminishes into the background and the message of God's salvation through God's perfect revelation becomes the focal point.
In many ways St. John the Baptist is a terrific figure for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. Like St. John the Baptist, LGBT people are born for a different purpose than those who are heterosexual or single minded in terms of their gender. John the Baptist was born to announce that a new day is dawning and wonderful things were about to take place. LGBT people are born into this earth to announce that there is more than one way to express love than between men and women, but also between people of the same sex. There is more than one way to understand one's gender. It is possible to be born one gender, and gain an understanding that one is suppose to be a completely different gender. The message that St. John the Baptist came to bring was not a simple message. It required people to understand God and others differently, it made many people uncomfortable. LGBT people bring a message of equality and inclusion that is uncomfortable for many to understand. The message of LGBT equality invites among people who believe that being heterosexual is the only correct way to be, or appreciating the gender that we were born with is the only way to think or exist, to consider alternatives to sexual and gender expression and identity.
Just yesterday a story appeared about young 10 year old Will Phillips will be leading the gay pride parade in Arkansas. It has further been announced that the Mayor of Fayetteville will be joining Will in the parade. The American Family Association's Tim Wildmon is lashing out at the Mayor complaining that the LGBT Community and other adults have "brainwashed" this 10 year old into thinking that LGBT people should have their equal rights. You can read the entire story here. If 10 year old Will had spoken out against LGBT equal rights and therefore was speaking in a public forum the AFA would be celebrating what he did. But because Will Phillips refused to Pledge to the American Flag because he wants LGBT people to have full equal rights under the laws of our nation, Will Phillips is being abused. Amazing lack of logic.
St. John the Baptist came to call people to a change of heart. LGBT people call people to a change of heart. John the Baptist was the announcer that a new era was dawning upon humankind. LGBT people announce that the era of only one sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is no longer the way the world is. And therefore it is time to educate individuals, institutions, churches, politicians, political parties, governments that it is time to think outside of the box called heterosexism and one gender identity/expression. The call to a change of understanding and behavior is one that will bring lots of rejection and sadly violence. St. John the Baptist's message brought him rejection and violence by a government that did not want him to take away their power. LGBT people are experiencing violence by people who do not want their power taken from them, so as to include different people and alternate ways of thinking and/or behaving. Just because the message is difficult and brings with it problems, does not mean the message is not worth delivering. Even if there are hard times to be faced and possible political losses this November, the message of full equal rights and inclusion is still worth repeating and working for. Even when the Anglican Communion rejects the Episcopal Church for ordaining two openly gay Bishops, the decision to go ahead and do so because the Holy Spirit is moving us in that direction is still the right thing to do.
May lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people be inspired by the person who's nativity we commemorate today, to continue to love the people we love and defend the equal rights that we should not even have to defend in the first place. Just as the work of St. John the Baptist was worth every moment to the point of loosing his head for it, so the message of full equal rights and inclusion is worth every thing many of us are suffering to get it done. May we never give up or give in to the religious right that tells us we are dirty, perverted or a danger to anyone. May we be proud of who we are, and love with the very love that was so different in St. John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. May our different way of loving be part of an inspirational message that God loves everyone, no matter who or how we love.
Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Book of Common Prayer, Page 241).
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 101).
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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