At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him." For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.
In addition to this Gospel story of the beheading of John the Baptist, today in the Episcopal Church we commemorate the Martyrs of Lyons of 177. James Kiefer writes the following in today's Morning Prayer.
At Lyons and Vienne, in Gaul, there were missionary centers which had drawn many Christians from Asia and Greece. Persecution began in 177.
At first, Christians were excluded from the public baths, the market place, and from social and public life. They were subject to attack when they appeared in public, and many Christian homes were vandalized. At this point the government became involved, and began to take Christians into custody for questioning. Some slaves from Christian households were tortured to obtain confessions, and were induced to say that Christians practiced cannibalism and incest. These charges were used to arouse the whole city against the Christians, particularly against Pothinus, the aged bishop of Lyons; Sanctus, a deacon; Attalus; Maturus, a recent convert; and Blandina, a slave. Pothinus was beaten and then released, to die of his wounds a few days later. Sanctus was tormented with red-hot irons. Blandina, tortured all day long, would say nothing except, "I am a Christian, and nothing vile is done among us." Finally, the survivors were put to death in the public arena.
As I read this account of the Martyrs, this particular sentence sounded much too familiar: "At first, Christians were excluded from the public baths, the market place, and from social and public life. They were subject to attack when they appeared in public, and many Christian homes were vandalized." Wait a minute, Christians being excluded from public places, life and finding themselves and their homes attacked? Where have I heard that kind of thing before? Why does that sound like something I've read on the internet about some gay man who was followed home from a bar and beaten to death, just because he was gay? Have I read stories about a lesbian couples home having been trashed and the Pride flag torn down? Yes, yes, I think I have. I have heard of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people treated unfairly, and unequally by Christians. I have heard of LGBT people being excluded from serving openly in the United States Military because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I have heard stories of Christians saying that individuals who are gay or lesbian should not be elected or serve in public offices, or serve as Bishops, Priests, or serve as the church's organist or religious education coordinator, or youth minister, because of their sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity.
Wait a minute, not just LGBT people, but in Arizona minorities that are not perceived to be Caucasian or white, can now be pulled over and profiled, and if they do not have their papers to prove that they are United States citizens and not an illegal immigrant, they can be put in jail. Wow! All kinds of people's lives and their personal peace of mind are considered up for grabs to be snuffed out of society because they challenge the status quo of being a Caucasian, heterosexual, healthy and wealthy male. As for the rest of us who are not Caucasian, heterosexual, healthy or wealthy males, our lives, our personal and public welfare is not even regarded as important, necessary or a matter of equal law by the Church or society. Because we stand up in the public squares of our families, friends, churches, jobs, Military, Public Office and call people every where challenging them to make society and the Church a more inclusive place for everyone, we are public enemy number one for anyone who thinks otherwise. The only difference between what we read in the Gospel and the story of the Martyrs of Lyons is that Conservative Christians hungry for political power and capital gain are among those seeking to snuff out anyone who does not think or interpret the Bible as they do.
Big names like Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Frances George, Archbishop John Nienstedt, Dr. James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Scott Lively, Tony Perkins, Bryan Fischer, Maggie Gallagher, Peter La Barbera, Beverly La Haye, and so many others, have created for themselves an empire of hate that is directed towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. The Republican Party and the Tea Party have aligned themselves against not only LGBT people, but also immigrants and anyone who is not interested in corporate control of this Country. The Martyrs of today include those who stand on the side of those whom others would like to snuff out of existence so that others can live as they wish, no matter how destructive they are.
It is important now that LGBT people and all those who seek equal rights and the dignity of every human person, ban together. Every person who believes in the co-existence of every person and/or group of people should work together with the Prince of Peace and all the peace makers of our time, including names like Martin Luther King, Jr and Ghandi, Harvey Milk, Archbishop Tutu, Bishop Christopher and so many more, and that we remain a voice for ourselves and those whom society and the Church would like to brush aside.
God has placed such a diversity of religions, races, cultures, challenges, genders, sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions in the same world so that we can all be part of uniting the world and the Church and be a source of compassion and understanding. We may pay the price of our reputation, jobs, lives or many things that are very dear to us, but for the sake of bringing peace and justice to a world filled with bigotry and arrogance it is a work and a sacrifice worth making. Progress is made when everyone works and if necessary sacrifices together.
O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; 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 4, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229).
Grant, O Lord, we pray, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be rooted and grounded in love of you, and may endure the sufferings of this life for the glory that shall be revealed in us; 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 Martyrs of Lyons).
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 of Assisi, Book of Common Prayer, Page 833).
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