Are Christians About the Work of Deception or Evangelization?

Matt. 28: 11- 20 (NRSV)

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."  So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Are Christians about the work of deception or evangelization? As I read this Gospel as part of morning prayer today I was struck by the account of the priests making the deal with the soldiers to keep the news of Jesus' resurrection a big secret.  The priests did their own political maneuvering, including paying an amount of money and promising to protect the duties of the soldiers to keep people from hearing that Jesus had risen from the dead.  Meanwhile, Jesus meets with his disciples to instruct them to baptize all nations in the Name of the Holy Trinity and that he would be with us until the end of time.


I think a lot about this kind of thing as I also think about how evangelical and conservative Christians who practice Biblical literalism want to keep the real understanding of homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered issues from coming to light.  To allow a newer and more correct Biblical understanding would mean that LGBTQ people can attain equal rights under the laws of our Country and sacramental equality in our churches.  Jesus Christ will have truly risen from the dead not just for people who are heterosexual, but also for people who are LGBTQ.  This would mean having to share our churches, military, jobs, housing market, adoption services, marriage rights, taxation equality, civil authority, religious ordination etc with those who are LGBTQ.   


My good friend Alvin McEwen wrote a magnificent blog article about how the Family Research Council manipulates legitimate date to hurt the LGBTQ Community 

Once religious right groups find an item which can be used to demonize the lgbt community, they repeat this item ad naseum, even if they have to omit some crucial facts which could change the flow of what they are trying to push.

For example this quote by AIDS researcher Ronald Stall:

One of the nation’s leading AIDS researchers, Ronald Stall, has declared, “It may be a fallacy to say that HIV is the dominant, most dangerous and most damaging epidemic among gay men in the United States today. There are at least four other epidemics occurring among gay men that are intertwining and making each other worse. This is called a syndemic.” The “four other epidemics” are “substance abuse, partner violence, depression and childhood sexual abuse.”

That is how the Family Research Council spun the quote while using it to make the case against a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. 

It is quite the shameful deal to be twisting words and making them work for your own political cause.  Kind of like accepting money to keep the news of Jesus' resurrection as if you were asleep while the body was stolen. Christians are suppose to be telling the world of Jesus' resurrection and calling for all nations to be baptized so that we can all share in the new life promised to the followers of Christ.  But no, instead we take the money and keep Jesus' triumphant work of redemption under our breath while minorities including LGBTQ people are kept from hearing of Jesus' message of salvation, because unless we are willing to change our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, the Paschal Mystery just cannot save us.  Or at least that is how it sounds to us who are LGBTQ.   And quite frankly, that just is not true.

The crucifixion, death, resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost are the work of God's salvation in Jesus Christ for all people.  We share in that Paschal Mystery through the Sacrament of Baptism.  That includes LGBTQ people.  Our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity, and our choice to exercise our sexuality within loving, committed relationships does not diminish our opportunity to share in the salvation Jesus Christ won for us by the Easter experience.  Conservative Christians are rewriting the Bible and the theology of the Church to say that, Jesus Christ and the Bible do not.  When conservative Christians, Evangelicals and Fundamentalists say that LGBTQ people cannot be saved except if we denounce who we are, how we love and who we love, or seek reparative therapy through ex-gay ministries, they are deceiving LGBTQ people and other Christians. 

To go forth and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to invite people to be baptized is to be open to all people from all walks of life.  In Revelation 5: 9 we read that God has redeemed by the blood of the Lamb for God's Self "from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they shall reign on the earth." If the terms every and people do not include LGBTQ people than this ancient hymn that is included in Revelation has a serious problem. The writers got the inspiration to include this in the hymn from somewhere.  Given the richness of the words the inspiration had to be from God's Holy Spirit.  I cannot believe that God's Holy Spirit does not know that love is also a language spoken through actions that originate from our hearts and minds, and translated through our bodies.  Those who truly understand that love is the language of the heart can also comprehend that those who are homosexual and bisexual who choose to love members of the same-sex in holy, loving, committed relationships are speaking the language of love that is included in the people mentioned in the hymn from the Book of Revelation.  And those men who were born women, knowing that they are really men and vice versa, who speak the language of being a man who is suppose to be a woman and vice versa speak the language of being transgendered people.  Transgendered contains the root trans which is the same root that begins the word transformation.  The Paschal Mystery was not only a definitive moment in salvation history, but also a point of transformation.  Transgendered people experience the trans-formative power of God in a powerful and physical way, from the inside out.  Is it possible that we can look at the transformation of one gender to another as the changing of our old sinful nature to the new and holy nature that God intended?  When we truly become the holy person God originally intended for us to be, we not only transform ourselves in to who we are suppose to be, but help transform the world in to a more welcoming and inclusive community of love for all people.

When we learn to look towards people of different races, nationalities, sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions etc through the eyes of the incredible things God is able to accomplish by God's work of redemption, we can also begin to understand that keeping people from their equal rights and from sacramental equality is down right evil.  If we really worked to see that kind of thing, then accepting payments for keeping this information under wraps is understood to be unacceptable.  When we get out from our Pandoras Box that we keep ourselves and try to keep the Holy Spirit in, we can truly know and share the news of Jesus' saving work, because we would not want anyone to miss out on all the wonderful things God has for those who love God. 

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

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).

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William Wilberforce and Lord Ashley Cooper: The Greatest and Least

Mark 9:33-35 (NRSV)

Then they came to Capernaum; and when Jesus was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"  But they were silent, for on the way they argued with one another about who was the greatest.  He sat down with the twelve and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 

The Episcopal Church commemorates two interesting political figures within the Anglican tradition and the British Parliament. William Wilberforce and Lord Ashley Cooper were well educated men.  William Wilberforce served in the House of Commons serving until 1784 and Lord Ashley Cooper was a member of Parliament at the age of 25.   Both of these men took great interest in the slave trades as well as the liberation of children from labor practices within English society.  They spoke up about the injustices that their own societies had heaped upon people and were part of the conversation towards liberation.

One of the reasons that racism, heterosexism, sexism and other biases exist in our time is because too many people are trying to avoid the conversation.  There are many forces at work both in society and the Church to keep the conversations that could lead to the eradication of all the biases from taking place.  The conservative Christian tradition wants to keep the conversation about heterosexism that leads to homophobia from taking place, because then the capitalism that has been fueling the cruelty of negatively stereotyping LGBTQ people will be exposed, and the evil of the billion dollar profits of major evangelistic corporations will be exposed.  The blatant racism of the Tea Party movement and even within the Republican Party and other factions of society is to safeguard the special interest groups that are funding their political agendas.  The reason why an honest discussion about sexism that would lead to the further liberation of women in our society cannot happen is because if it does, then corporations will no longer be able to defend that women can be paid lower salaries than their male counterparts.  To admit that the biases exist means a gain for many and a financial loss for others.  It means "move over majority, it is time to let a minority have some room."  No one who is among the privileged wants to have a conversation that will lead to their loosing what their privileges gain for them.

Apparently Jesus' disciples were having a conversation very similar to that in today's Gospel.  They were so concerned about who would be greatest or least, that they forgot what being followers of Jesus Christ would mean.  Their call to serve God in Jesus, means willing to put those considered "least" among us as first.  For those of us who are part of a consumerist society where we must work hardest to gain first place to gain all kinds of awards and first place salaries and the like, being told we have to serve the least to be the greatest doesn't jive well.   For those Evangelists that are on top of the food chain of religion and politics, who make those millions of dollars in book sales and public speeches, to come to a place where allowing LGBTQ to gain our rightful place in society, in terms of marriage equality, being able to hold on to our jobs, serve openly in the military and allow our partners from other countries to be allowed immigration into the USA, would mean a loss that is too much to bear.  And for those of us who are LGBTQ who must keep hammering home the message of equal justice to politicians and religious leaders that are just against us, means placing ourselves at the service of those who certainly do not have our best interests at their hearts.  To educate, talk to and encourage conversation among people about the issue of the full inclusion of LGBTQ people, means to be willing to upset a few people and face the difficulties that will come with it.

To serve as a follower of Jesus Christ, means being willing to be knocked down a notch to lift up others who need lifting up.  We must be willing to use our voices, pens, email accounts and facebook pages to be voices for those who do not have a voice, but want to speak and be heard.  Those hundreds of people with fishing careers in the Gulf of Mexico who have lost their jobs because of the oil spill, those are people who need caring and compassionate voices to speak up on their behalf.  There are so many people in the Gulf due to Hurricane Katrina and now the oil spill who are loosing their faith in God and government to help them.  They need us to pray for them and our willingness to sign petitions and write emails to Congress on their behalf.  They may need help to gain medical assistance, food and even money where possible.  That is willing to serve others even if it means we become least among others.  So is calling upon our Congress and President, and anyone else who will listen that we need a clean energy solution that will not keep giving preference to big oil companies who fund the travels of campaigning politicians. 

Just as William Wilberforce and Lord Ashley Cooper were voices for the social injustices of their time, so must we speak up about the social injustices of our own times.  As Jesus told his followers to become least so as to serve, so we must also be willing.  There is way too much discrimination, violence, oppression and evil a foot to ignore.  The Gospel needs to come a live through Christians willing to become the voice and servants of those who need us to act and speak up for them.

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, Page 238).

Just and eternal God, we give you thanks for the stalwart faith and persistence of your servants William Wilberforce and Anthony Ashley-Cooper, who, undeterred by opposition and failure, held fast to a vision of justice in which no child of yours might suffer in enforced servitude and misery.  Grant that we, drawn by that same Gospel vision, may persevere in serving the common good and caring for those who have been cast down, that they may be raised up through Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (Collect for William Wilberforce and Anthony Ashley-Cooper, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 495).

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).

Mary, Martha and Lazarus: Friendship, Hospitality and Diversity

The chosen Gospel for today's commemoration of Mary, Martha and Lazarus is John 11:1-7, 17-44 which is the story of the death of Lazarus to Jesus raising him from the tomb.  This is the updated Lectionary as found in Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints.  

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were three of Jesus' closest friends.  While we do not exactly know when or how that friendship started, we do know that it was a friendship that was based on a lot of trust, love and interest in how each could best serve the other.   Based on another Gospel account of Mary and Martha Luke 10: 38- 42 which we heard not two Sunday's ago, hospitality and contemplative prayer were hallmarks of the relationship that existed.

There are several observations we can make to incorporate this commemoration into our own spiritual journey's and the work of LGBTQ people towards full inclusion in society and the Church.  It is apparent from the Gospel accounts of the relationship between Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus that friendship is a necessity.  Friendships that are based on mutual hospitality, genuine love, affection and an openness to each person with in the friendship are very important to our lives of faith and work for equal justice.

One of the texts for today's commemoration is one that appeared in the Daily Office only last week.  Romans 12: 9-13.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

The connection of the message of the Gospel to radical hospitality cannot be overstated.  If the Church is to be genuine then hospitality to receiving everyone must be at the core of our mission.  Receiving one another in hospitality does not include receiving people into the worship and active lives of our church communities only if they comply with our understanding of who and what they should be.  This includes those communities that attempt to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning/queer individuals and families on the condition that they either change their sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity, or they break up a loving committed relationship, and/or agree to attend an ex-gay ministry.  There are many church communities to this day that will require that of the new incoming church organist or religious education director.  There are some that will require something like that of someone who wishes to be on the Parish finance council or education board.  This is not being hospitable, it is not even a Christian manner of behavior.  Asking someone to suddenly lie about who they are, who they love and how they love other people is wrong.  Notice in the hospitality between Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Jesus did not require the women to suddenly be like men or Lazarus to be alive in order to be raised from death.  Jesus changed their lives by accepting who they were and being friends with who they were, he did not require them to change, only to love as they were.

If friendship among Christians is to be authentic (ie. genuine) then we do need to understand that in many cultures there is a difference between a friendship and an acquaintance.  In the British/English culture to call someone you just met a "friend" as we do here in the United States is actually an insult.  An acquaintance is someone you might get together with for a cup of coffee and/or a periodic study hall, but that does not make her or him necessarily a friend.  A friend on the other hand is more than an acquaintance.  We may get together with a friend on an acquaintance like basis, but usually it is to share something much deeper than the cup of coffee.  It is to engage in a relationship that knows a trusting confidence and a mutual sense of respect and acceptance that cannot be matched by a mere acquaintance.  When Jesus in the Gospel of John refers to his followers as his "friends" it is because they know him as more than an acquaintance.  The followers of Jesus know that there is such an acceptance of us by God that there is no separation, and no situation where God will not be available to God's followers.  And because God has made friendship with us through Christ, we follow the commandments of God not because we have to, to avoid hell, but because we would not want to damage that friendship with God that has been established with us through the Person of Jesus Christ.  What is the basics of the commandments of God?  Loving God, our neighbors and ourselves.  The friendship that existed between Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Jesus was one that fulfilled the commandments of God in their relationship to God and each other.

If one of those commandments which is to love our neighbor than all of this bearing false witness to the LGBTQ communities must be understood for what it is, an unacceptable amount of spiritual violence.  Saying that LGBTQ people can not and should not seek marriage equality, full sacramental equality, freedom from violence and political, social and religious oppression within the Church because of erroneous interpretations of Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1: 26 and 27, 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1: 10  must be understood as bearing false witness against LGBTQ people.  Love is not genuine when seeking to destroy a group of people because of our own prejudices based on false information.  Such was the case when a so called follower of Christ called Judy Shepard a liar at a public meeting and/or book signing for saying that her son was killed because he was gay. 

Genuine Christian friendship is based on radical hospitality and an appreciation and acceptance of diversity, and a personal commitment to working toward reconciliation and healing.  It is such a terrible thing that our conservative Christian sisters and brothers spend so much energy on the destruction of LGBT people, because those of us who are more progressive and liberal need the fiery devotion to the true message of Scripture that conservatives claim to cling to.  The Bible really is not a weapon of mass destruction.  I know all about Paul's letter to the Ephesians chapter 6 vs 17 where Paul talks about the "sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."  That "sword of the Spirit" assumes that we use the Bible first and foremost to promote the love of God, neighbor and self. Conservative Christians often use the Bible as a destructive weapon at the expense of a faith guide to building relationships of love for God, others and self.  That sword of the Spirit is suppose to lead to a healing and reconciling love, not the sword that does destruction to all kinds of people that are based on a criteria that does not exist.  The "sword of the Spirit" is not suppose to be used to massacre women, minorities, LGBTQ, Native American Indians and so forth.  The "sword of the Spirit" is to "Let love be genuine, hate what is evil and cling to what is good."  Racism, sexism, heterosexism (that leads to homophobia), class discrimination and the physical, political and spiritual violence done to such people are evil.  Those are things that Christians should be working together to eliminate.  Clinging to what is good includes loving, committed same sex relationships that seek the common good of the people in the relationship as they share the wonder of their love with the world through their devotion to each other.  That kind of love is life-giving and it creates a healthy community of love. 

The friendship between Jesus, Martha, Mary and Lazarus is an inspiration to all of us to seek friendship through hospitality and an appreciation for the diversity that makes each person who they are.  God made all of us social beings for a very good reason.  We need each other to help make the world a better place for the reign of God.  How are our relationships and friendships performing their roles of making the Church and the world a more loving existence for God's reign?

Generous God, whose Son Jesus Christ enjoyed the friendship and hospitality of Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany: Open our hearts to love you, our ears to hear you, and our hands to welcome and serve you in others, through Jesus Christ our risen Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Mary, Martha, [and Lazarus] of Bethany, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 493).

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

Loving Differently Can Get You Into Trouble

Matt. 27: 45- 54 (NRSV)

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "This man is calling for Elijah."  At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.  But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.  Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"

In the last week or so I have gotten involved with a new Facebook group called: "Stamp Out Homophobia On Facebook."  Whoever does the graphic poster like art does a tremendous job.  There have been many inspiring phrases that have made their way to my news feed.  One of the most brilliant I think is: "I would rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I pretend to be."


More and more I believe our Lord Jesus was crucified for our sins, yes, but on a social justice level he was killed because of how he loved.  When someone loves others, those who are marginalized because they are different, people have to make an "other" out of that person.  Jesus was the "other" that made people in their comfort zones a bit less comfortable.  People who had established rules and cultural norms as to how the stranger should be treated or the leper should be separated from the community, seeing Jesus making his best friends among them was just too much to handle.  Seeing someone who was suppose to be a great warrior and Messiah who they were hoping would come with a great army of victories, instead came with a message of peace, forgiveness of one another and a call to love one another as Jesus loves us.  For too many people that is just more than they can take.   


I believe that LGBTQ people and other minorities are in very much the same situation.  Whenever we talk about the subject of love, a very important component in that conversation is sexuality.  Our society and even the Church over the course of time due to erroneous Bible interpretations and a colonial civilization have made up in their minds, a criteria for the "privileged" person.  If you are white, male, heterosexual, healthy, speak and write English, are Christian, have a four to six figure income etc, you are among the privileged in society.  If you are so unfortunate to be none of the above then those who are get to design laws, programs of social, religious and political regulations for those who are not.  

Interestingly enough, Jesus was first and foremost a Jew.  Jesus was poor, had no where to lay his head.  He was the friend of the homeless, the sick, the physically, mentally, spiritually challenged.  Jesus gave a place of honor to the eunuchs.  Jesus raised up the status of women and those outside Jewish cultural norms.  Jesus healed the same-sex lover of the Roman Centurion who in today's Gospel recognized him as the Son of God.  Jesus even gave a name and face to the dead.  It is because of Jesus' unique commitment to loving as God loves that he was put to death.  The love of God in Jesus is unconditional and all inclusive.  The love of God sees all of God's children through the eyes of loving compassion and plenteous redemption.  The white, healthy, heterosexual, English speaking and writing, Christian who is wealthy has every opportunity to receive God's salvation in the crucified and risen Christ as does anyone who is black/red/tan/, LGBTQ, woman, challenged, any other religion, speaks or writes any other language, lower class, poor, unhealthy, etc.  


Today is a wonderful day for immigrants in Arizona.  Breaking news has just come through that a Federal Judge has blocked the most controversial parts of Arizona's immigration law.   It is most embarrassing that in a nation that has such a great monument as the Statue of Liberty that says: "Give me your tired, poor, etc" we have to have a judge blocking an unjust discrimination law in the first place.  Immigrants come to this nation seeking a better life than what they left.  Many of them are escaping serious oppression, only to find more awaiting them here in the United States.  This is hardly evidence of being a hospitable, welcoming and free Christian nation.


As we recall the death of Jesus in our Gospel today, let us remind ourselves that it is our moral duty by virtue of our common Baptism to love others as Jesus loved.  There is a price to be paid.  It may be our reputation, our financial status and depending on the circumstance even our lives that are put on the line.  However, we also know that the story of humankind's redemption did not end with the crucifixion of Jesus, but continues with the resurrection, his ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  As long as we earnestly seek the will of God to love God and others to the best of our ability and seek the common good of others, it doesn't matter what our nationality, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, challenge, sickness, religion, class, culture or whatever it is, might be.  What matters is that we are willing to love and be loved.  As the great hymn reads: "God is love, and where true love is God himself is there." (Hymnal 1982, No. 576).

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

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).

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. (A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, Page 833). 

William Reed Huntington: Believing When Everything Goes Wrong.

John 17:20-26 (NRSV)

Looking up to heaven, Jesus said, "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

This week has not been a simple one for me.  I have many challenges going on all over me.  I share the concern of many LGBT people and those who support progressive political causes about the recent effect that Citizens United is having in the State of Minnesota.   A Star Tribune article reports that corporations like Target and Best Buy to name a few have spent close to $700,000.00 on local campaign contributions to a Republican PAC for a candidate that thinks execution of LGBT people is a good idea.  These things can easily get me depressed and feeling like it is all a hopeless cause.

What a relief that among the Psalm 62 was part of Morning Prayer today.  

For God alone my soul in silence waits;
   from him comes my salvation.

God alone is my salvation,
   my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.  (Psalm 62: 1-2) (BCP Page 669).

The Episcopal Church today commemorates William Reed Huntington who was said to be the "First presbyter of the Church"  as the sixth rector of Grace Church, in New York City.  He served as a member of the House of Deputies from 1871 to 1907 of the Episcopal Church and helped during an age of great schism that resulted in the Reformed Episcopal Church. 


As early as his involvement in 1871 Huntington began the work to revive the primitive order of "deaconesses" that resulted in a long struggle that resulted in the canonical authorization of the order in 1889.  This information and much more about William Reed Huntington can be found in Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints on Page 488.   


Fighting for the rights of women and other minorities in our present time is difficult enough.  I cannot imagine the road blocks and problems that Huntington must have faced between the years of 1871 and 1907.   It is not by accident that the Gospel that is found at the top of this blog is also the reading for Huntington's commemoration.  Jesus prays that all may be one and that all may believe in Jesus through the words of those who believe in him.  As I think about the news I am hearing these days, how are people drawn to believe in Jesus through the words and actions of those of us who believe in Jesus?


Last night on the Rachel Maddow Show was the shameful news that the United States Senate has yet to have a vote on an appropriations bill that would allow America's black farmers to collect on a law suit that they won over the U.S. Department of Agriculture's discrimination against the thousands of farmers who have lost their businesses due to lack of funding and attention.  This is yet another example of how racism and class discrimination in America's political landscape is still very wrong even with a Democratic majority in the House, Senate and White House.  


The American Family Association (AFA) which is an offshoot of Focus on the Family made a statement about Constance McMillian who won a $35,000.00 settlement from her high school as a result of personal damages because of the scandal around her attending her high school prom this past year.  The AFA said that winning the lawsuit settlement was "a capitulation to “evil.”"

Another article was released that prison lobbyists who are working for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer are set to profit from Governor Brewer's signing of the State's draconian immigration law.   The legal profiling of immigrants in Arizona is not only racial discrimination, but it is now profitable for some.  Sounds vaguely familiar to Judas betraying the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver.


The National Organization for Marriage's supporters have suggested that the way to solve the issue of marriage equality in America is to hang gay and lesbian people so as to fulfill the erroneous interpretation of Leviticus 20:13.  

How are people suppose to believe in Jesus Christ and be one in him, if his followers by word and action do not speak out about evils such as these?  Fundamentalist Christians have been twisting the Bible out of context to suggest violence towards women, people of different races/cultures, religions and LGBTQ people for so long, that truth, justice, mercy and faithfulness are no longer part of their equation.  Yet many progressive Christians who know how wrong conservative Christians are, remain silent and unmoved to action and prayer.  Biblical literalism that modern invention of the Twentieth Century is nothing more than another capitalistic empire, built to make them money out from their bully pulpits and media machines.  Progressive Christians have every business speaking up about how wrong all of this is, and making ourselves missionaries in a culture that is growing ever so hostile to the true meaning of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.  If a great man like William Reed Huntington can speak up in an age of misogyny that is far worse than ours, so we can stay the course to eradicate the evils of racism, heterosexism, sexism and class discrimination from our culture today.   The reputation of Jesus Christ and those who act and believe in our words are at stake if we fail to do our part today.

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).


O Lord our God, we thank you for instilling in the heart of your servant William Reed Huntington a fervent love for your Church and its mission in the world; and we pray that, with unflagging faith in your promises, we may make known to all people your blessed gift of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (Collect for William Reed Huntington, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 489).

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).

 

St. James the Apostle: An Apostle Brought Down to Be Raised Up.

Acts 11:27-12:3 (NRSV)

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.)

The Episcopal Church commemorates James the brother of John who were both sons of Zebedee.  Both James and John were fishermen who at the call of Jesus left their nets, boats and homes to become fishers of people.

The Gospel reading for today's commemoration reads:

Matthew 20:20-28 (NRSV)

The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

As we read through the Gospel narratives about the interactions between Jesus and his disciples, it is a bit difficult to not see that they were individuals who struggled with God, their faith and understanding Jesus' words and actions.   In the Gospel for today's commemoration the mother of James and John comes along and asks Jesus to give a special favor to her sons.  Jesus answers her with some painful words that lets them and all who would serve Jesus know that following Jesus will cost us something.  Jesus came to die for the sins of the world.  Jesus did not come to be popular, though he certainly was popular.  Jesus did not come to have a huge board meeting to promise huge profits to his disciples if they would politically maneuver for him.  Jesus came to bring deliverance to souls that are held in captivity by political, religious and spiritual oppression.  In order that the mission of Jesus might be fulfilled, he had to become a servant to all people even to the point of giving up his life.  Jesus makes it very clear that following Christ will mean being willing to give up our lives, and serve Christ in others. 

Giving up ourselves to serve others means looking beyond social stereotypes and our personal biases, and seeing in each individual person the image of God.  For many conservative Christians this means looking at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer/questioning people as individuals who are loved and created by God exactly as we are.  Serving God in other people as Apostles means seeing in each individual person beyond their race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, challenge, gender and the like, and individual who is just as much in need of salvation and redemption as anyone else, without changing who and what they are.  What Christians call people to do is not necessarily change who they are, but who is actually God of their lives.  Sexual orientation and it's expression within loving, committed relationships is not in and of itself sinful.  How one exercises one's sexuality can become sinful if it is not guided by some moral principles. 

What I hear coming in on this commemoration of St. James is that he was an Apostle who was brought down to be raised up.  Like a lot of leaders in the Church,  James might have been looking for some kind of greatness, without realizing that the pursuit of greatness would come with a willingness to stoop down and serve others.  Only by our willingness to become servants of God in those who need the Gospel, do we achieve greatness.  Part of serving others is a willingness to see God working in people and places that we may not think we can find God.  There are still many who think that God cannot be found in LGBTQ people who accept their sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity.  Is that not placing God the Holy Spirit in a Pandoras Box?  How can we serve God in others if we are unwilling to see God in someone whom we have already decided God cannot be there, because of our own prejudices as to how someone else should be?  And how can we serve God in others if we are determined that one has to become something or someone they are not in order to know that God has saved them, when in fact, only God really knows that?  Evangelism is by itself a wonderful activity.   When we dictate the program in stead of allowing the Holy Spirit to do her work, however, we become stumbling blocks in the way of other people's vision and view of God. 

As we pray throughout this day in our work, home activities or whatever we may be doing, let us pray that the Church will more and more become a community that serves all people, including LGBTQ people.  The Church has been given the awesome responsibility of baptizing all nations, peoples and races in the Name of the Holy Trinity.  However the Church still needs to let go of thinking the God is limited by our human definition of who God should be, and how others should be if God is to work in and through their lives.  The Gospel clearly shows us that God is not even limited by our own human nature, but became one of us, so to bring all people one step closer to knowing the Face of God in all humankind.

O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Commemoration of St. James, Book of Common Prayer, Page 242).

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).

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost: Persistence in Prayer

Since becoming Episcopalian, I cannot adequately describe how much the Book of Common Prayer means to my life.  Morning, Evening Prayer and Compline (also known as Night Prayer) are very important parts of my day.  The heart of the Daily Office is praying the Psalms, which were the prayers of Jesus all throughout his earthly life.  The opportunity to pray the prayers of Jesus is a privilege that we can take for granted if we are not careful. 

Prayer for each person is their own unique experience.  Prayer for most people is motivated by a need for something; be it a healing, a job, a car, or the arrival of a good friend during stormy weather.  In our Gospel of Luke 11: 1-13 Jesus is asked by his disciples to teach them how to pray.  Jesus' response in Luke's Gospel is a shortened version of what we often pray from Matthew's Gospel.  Nevertheless the lesson here is not just prayer, praying for God's will and for what our needs are, but also for us to remain persistent so that we receive the Holy Spirit who "helps us in our prayers." (See Romans 8: 26-27).

In today's first Reading taken from Genesis 18:20-32 is the story of the conversation between God and Abraham before God destroyed the City of Sodom and Gomorrah for it's lack of hospitality.  The dialogue between Abraham and God seems a bit strange.  How can the God who is suppose to be all-loving and merciful be talking about destroying an entire city like that?  And how is it that Abraham a mere man is able to persuade God to reconsider?  If God is so great, why this conversation to change God's mind?  Out in Scripture offers some thoughts.

Genesis 18:20-32 shows us a God who invites the forefather of our faith, Abraham, to insist on God's faithfulness. Still, for LGBT folk, Charles Allen remarks, this passage is a prelude to one of the most fearsome texts of terror. Whatever Sodom's sin may be (gang rape? neglecting the poor? — Genesis never explicitly tells us), one wonders why God would need to find even one "righteous" person in the city — to say nothing of 10 — to refrain from destroying it. But it may be part of the passage's function to get us to ask precisely that question.

As Marti Steussy observes, God actually seems to invite the questioning ("Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" Genesis 18:17). Abraham keeps posing the question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" (verse 25). And each time God accepts Abraham's proposed modification to God's plans, thus implicitly granting that the previous plan fell short of true justice. Helene Russell wonders if God is encouraging us to think critically about the norms of justice and judgment and not merely accept decisions and norms on so-called divine authority. 

Perhaps Helen Russell is correct.  Rather than look at God and wonder if God's justice needs changing, what about humankind?  The Catholic church appears to teach against women, marriage equality and the development of open theology as if that decision is "of God" in and of itself, just because Jesus said in Matthew's Gospel that "whatever you (Peter) bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven." (Matt 16: 19).  Just because that is how Roman Catholicism interprets that, all of Christianity and the secular world should also believe the same?  And therefore anything the Pope does or says "ex-cathedra" or not, is "God's commandment?"  Even within the Anglican Communion over these past two months there is suddenly this "mighty voice" from the Archbishop of Canterbury that is suppose to cause the Episcopal Church a member o of the World Wide Anglican Communion, though a separate, autonomous body in another country, should stop listening to the Holy Spirit call us to ordain openly gay and lesbian Priests as Bishops?

Over these past months since the Supreme Court passed Citizens United, the corporations within America appear to have been given "god-like" power over elections.   The slow action of the Government over the gulf oil spill, to help those who are in need because they have lost their tourism, revenue, wild life, wild life sanctuaries, clean ocean water, clean rain water, fishing jobs and the like.  Such actions are definitely the work of our dependence on oil companies as if they are gods who have unlimited potential to deliver.  Actually, what they have is unlimited profits to lobby and bully the Government.  

America has gone from a country that welcomes all immigrants to the possibility of finding a new home free from religious and civil oppression, to a new nation where immigrants will find political oppression that just cannot help them find freedom fast enough.  Arizona's immigration law is only the beginning of what I think will be a long political nightmare for thousands of non-American's all over.

It is not God's justice that needs to change, it is our justice that needs alteration.  We cannot look to and blame God when we become a nation of power mad hogs and political hungry animals that do not rest until there is no middle or lower class left.  Why is the American economy so bad?  Because the middle and lower class no longer has the financial freedom to spend money to move the economy. When the middle and lower classes cannot move off of ground zero, the nation cannot grow economically.  This is humankind's injustice, not God's injustice.

Returning to our Gospel, persistence in prayer is the key to helping us to gain the Holy Spirit so that we might become more attuned to the will of God and find some kind of personal and spiritual peace. The commentator in Gospel for Gays says it all very well. 

Prayer is a risky venture.  What if [God] doesn’t answer?  Or what if [God] gives us something we don’t want, instead of the thing we crave?

Does God answer prayer?

That’s a legitimate question; some would say it’s the only question.

In my experience, the answer is “yes” – with abundance.

There’s an obvious “but” however, and Luke ends this passage with an important surprise when he has Jesus say, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Holy Spirit?

Where did that come from?

Right to the end, the examples are concrete – daily needs, particularly bread in a society of scarcity.  Is this a trick, after all?  We ask for bread, or a paying job, or acceptance of our gay identity by a defensive hierarchy, or a partner, or a cure for cancer – and we get the Holy Spirit in response?

It’s a surprise, but it’s not a trick.

Jesus is telling us that our relationship with God is so intimate that even as we praise [God], even as we rest in [God] silent and intimate presence, we must ask for the things we need, for the things our children, our friends, our neighbors, our beloved needs; for what the world needs – peace, for example.

And [God] answers, with the generosity of a loving parent.

And in order for us to understand [God] answers, which may be different from our imagining, [God] always gives us the Holy Spirit which guides us, informs us, transforms us, shows us the path, encourages us, accompanies us, enables us, liberates us.

[God] doesn’t sweep all the tough stuff aside.  Rather, [God] shows us our path, and empowers us to do [God's] will, and [God's] with us – through prayer.

As always I like to tie this whole thing in to what lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer individuals, couples and families experience.  God is still our gracious and loving Parent, even if we do not think God is listening when we pray.  Many of us have experience discouragement as we work for equal justice.  Many of us have been through broken and difficult relationships, or maybe even had the experience of contracting an STD from someone who told us that she or he loved us.  If you are like me, sometimes you get so angry, you just have to let it all out and tell God that you are angry with God.  That is never a bad thing.  God is interesting in our feelings and emotions where God is concerned.  However, even when we do not think God is interested or listening, that is actually when the Holy Spirit is trying very hard to come into the conversation to number one console us, and number two help us to heal and move forward.  The Holy Spirit also comes to help us to know that our loving and merciful Parent God, really does have our best interests in God's heart.  Jesus still had to face his agonizing death on the cross even though he asked God to take the cup away from him.  So we too may have to face painful situations.  When God is actually all on our side, even death as awful as it is, is not the final word.  Life in God who was in Christ is the final and most powerful of all resolutions.

As LGBTQ people we need to approach the reign of God with faith, trust and hope that our God who is unconditional and all-inclusive love does not reject us because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. Actually, God is as close to LGBTQ people as God is to anyone.  Because when God answers our prayers, God gives us the Holy Spirit.

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231). 

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).

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). 

"Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" Think Again!

Matt. 27: 1- 2 (NRSV)
 

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

The great hymn that is the title of this blog entry, actually continues with: "Nobody knows but Jesus."  The Lectionary for the Daily Office continues to take us through those agonizing moments of Jesus' passion that we remember on Good Friday.  It is good to remember them year round "lest we forget thine agony."  

The experience of Jesus' passion only getting worse can be compared to what we have all been experiencing these past few months and weeks with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster.  We all keep hoping that at some point in time the news about BP will change, that the Federal Government will get their act together and do what they are suppose to do, not for their political gain, but for people.  The LGBTQ community still waits for a vote on the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and an ending to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.  We recently heard the sad news the Dan Choi was formally discharged from the Military under DADT.  These long weeks that went by as unemployment benefits continued to not be passed.  How many people probably lost their homes, food, ability to pay for much needed medicine and utilities because our Governmental leaders put their agenda's before the needs of people?   Where is there an end in sight?


In no place in the Gospels did Jesus ever promise that if we followed him that all of the problems of life would be over.  Jesus did show us that God is with us through him in everything we experience.  The Holy Spirit some times seems very far from us, when in fact she is closest to us when we are in so much personal pain that at times it seems like no one is listening.  The Holy Spirit may or may not help us gain what we need physically or even materially, but she is there with us to console us in the midst of our pain and to let us know we are not going through it alone.  And because God is present to us in that great community of love known as the Holy Trinity, God is concerned and in God's way and time, God will help us gain what it is we most need.  Just as the Passion and Cross were not the end for Jesus, for Jesus truly did rise again from the dead, so God will also raise us up along with Jesus to be victorious in whatever situation we are in.

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 123).

St. Mary Magdalene: A Woman Who Witnessed Jesus' Death and Resurrection

John 20:11-18 (NRSV)

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

A couple of years ago the greatest scandal arose because of Dan Brown's "The Davinci Code" in which Brown suggested the possibility that Mary Magdalene was secretly married to Jesus.  Anytime anyone suggests that the Lord Jesus had any kind of love life with anyone, there is an uproar of the worst kind because of how it affects our traditional thinking of Jesus and those with whom he associated.  I would be lying if I said that I myself am not still addicted to thinking of Jesus in the way the Catholic church may have taught me to think of him.  Fortunately, the Episcopal Church is a little more open to possibilities that may or may not be quite so traditional.  A good challenge is never a bad thing.

While we cannot say for sure whether or not Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had children, what we can say is that there must have been an extraordinary relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.   Was it the fact that Jesus looked at someone like Mary Magdalene and saw her as more than a piece of property?  That is how women were viewed in that time.  Do you think Jesus drew Mary Magdalene because he saw beyond her life as a former prostitute, but saw that she was so much more than a paying man's sex slave?   Whatever Jesus saw in Mary Magdalene it is very clear from the stories about her in the Gospels, that Jesus had a profound affect on the life of this woman.  Jesus has an amazing way of impacting our lives so that whatever happened when we first meet him, our lives are never the same after.  

Why do you suppose Mary Magdalene was among the first women to find Jesus alive after his resurrection?  There was something about that relationship that was just awesome.  It was love, devotion, a conversion experience, yes.  Faith in a way that most of men know about, but perhaps it has to do with Mary's feminine openness to God, that kept her faith so alive as she stood with Mary the Bearer of God and John the Apostle at the foot of the Cross.

One of the most powerful scenes in Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth is when Mary Magdalene goes to tell the hidden and frightened Disciples that Jesus was alive.  When all of the men question the accuracy of Mary's story among the things she said was: "Was his death a fantasy?  I saw him die. I was there and I wept at his feet.  Why then should he not appear to me?  He has risen!  He told me to tell you, and I have done so." 

Mary Magdalene had a faith that was so strong, that when all of the other men fled in their wimpy fear, she stood strong and courageous.  Though she must have been terrified and totally heart broken, she stood there and wept at the sight of the man who had forgiven her, bleeding and dying.  How interesting though, when she was at the tomb and he was not there, she did not know that he had probably risen.  However, when she was at her lowest point it was then that the Savior made himself present to her and told her to go and tell the Disciples.  Wow!  If that does not fly in the face of our masculine driven society and Church, I do not know what will. 

There are those, such as Bishop Gene Robinson who say that it is the fear of women that makes our society and the Church afraid of homosexuality.  Because many in society and the Church see women as the "weaker" of the human species, there is the tendency to continue to stereotype women and consequently LGBTQ people in negative ways.  When stereotyping is acceptable and as a result such stereotypes become in trenched in the minds of people, they unfortunately become the way people think and behave.  I truly believe that this is among the reasons why Scripture is so badly twisted out of context to support the subordination of women, the discrimination of LGBTQ people, people of various races, religions, cultures, classes and challenges.  As long as a fifth grade understanding of interpreting the Bible literally remains the weapon of choice for conservative Christians, the violence that occurs towards women, LGBTQ and other oppressed minorities will continue to challenge the Church and society.  As long as among the results of Biblical literalism is trying to put God the Holy Spirit and consequently people of different classes, colors, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions, genders and the like into a Pandoras Box, the Church will continue to minister as though Jesus Christ was still dead in the tomb. 

I believe the greatness of Mary Magdalene's faith, was that she knew what new life in Jesus Christ meant.  She knew that Jesus Christ gave her the dignity that being a woman meant, and in his life, death and resurrection, he changed her life forever.  In recognizing her beauty as a beloved daughter of God, Jesus raised the life of Mary Magdalene up to be a "new person" in Christ.  So God does with LGBTQ people who can be beautiful people just as we are, yet, committed to who Jesus Christ is and what he can do for us.  God does not ask that we change our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression anymore than he asks a women to cease being a women unless she or he is transgendered.  What God in Jesus does challenge us to do, is place who we are, who and how we love, and who we are really meant to be into the hands of God in Jesus Christ so that like Mary Magdalene we too may know the new life of the risen Christ.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Commemoration of Mary Magdalene, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 481).

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.   (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

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).

Jesus On Trial Because He Loved Differently

Matt. 26: 57- 68 (NRSV)

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.' " The high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?"  But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?

While we have spent the last two days remembering five amazing women who have inspired Christians towards a more inclusive community, the Daily Office Lectionary has been recounting for us the trial that led up to Jesus' Passion.  Here Jesus stands before those who are trying to accuse him so that he can be sentenced to death.  Yet, what stands out here at least to me is that Jesus is condemned to death because he proclaims who he is.  

Before I continue with this reflection I want to state very clearly that the Episcopal Church as well as I, condemns all suggestions that the Jewish people killed Jesus.  We also condemn all ideas that the Jewish people must be converted to Christianity in order to be saved.  Such thinking has led to anti-Judaism that has resulted in much violence and discrimination towards the Jewish people.  This kind of philosophy has no place in any worship space within Christianity.


Our sins condemned Jesus to die, ultimately.  Our pride, selfishness, arrogance and even our insistence that our will is more important, than the will of God.  Even though Jesus confessed in so many words who he was, when he replied to the High Priest: "It is you who have said so" Jesus was still condemned to die, taking onto himself the sins of all humankind.


As I read these amazing words of what happened at Jesus' trial, I am reminded of several stories of women and men who have been beaten because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and/or questioning/queer.  Many LGBTQ people have been beaten by police, ordinary citizens of various colors and creeds, all because they told people that they are LGBTQ.  One such incident happened in Minneapolis in 2009 when a man was walking home from Pride weekend.  He was followed by a group of Somali boys who were yelling: "I don't like gay people."  It was harassment of the most immature kind.  There is the incredible, yet heart breaking story of Matthew Shepard who was beaten and burned by Aaron McKinney.  Last November, Jason and I attended a memorial service for more than 40 individuals who had been beaten and/or killed all over the world because they are transgendered.  Many of the individuals to date, have no name given to who they were.  The most amazing violence is endured by so many people, mostly because of who they are.  


Violence done to individuals is not limited to sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.  Over this past year our news has been inundated with how much racial and political violence is being pushed by the Tea Party.  One Tea Party candidate in New Hampshire who is a confessing white supremecist wants the Tea Party to be more open with their racism.  Racism is also undoubtedly behind Arizona's "papers please" immigration law.  America continues to be a place where racism, sexism, heterosexism and religious bias is very much alive and well.  We are all set as a society to do each other in because of our prejudices and the stereotypes that are in people's minds over minorities.  Yet, we are so not in a place to discuss how our bigotry towards people of different races, cultures, classes, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions cause the divisions within American religion and politics.


Jesus was ultimately condemned to die because Jesus loved everyone who was different in society and within the religious community.  Those who had been thrown aside and left out, found some one to love them in Jesus Christ.  Women who were second class citizens found a best friend in Jesus, because he saw them as women and not as throw aways.  Jesus saw value in the lepers, the blind, the deaf, the tax collector, the person who fished, those from foreign lands.   Jesus even gave a name and face to the dead, who were the ultimate forgotten people.   Because Jesus loved differently and loved those who were suppose to be unlovable, Jesus' political opponents had to work to get rid of him, because he took the focus of people off of them, and placed it where it belonged on God.  Jesus' political opponent is anyone who feels that there are people in this world who have no place in the House of God, the Church.  Those who are opponents of God's perfect revelation, are those who know that when God's love should go first, instead what has to go first are those people who make us uncomfortable.  


At the Cross though is an amazing irony.  At the Cross there is no such thing as anyone who is not welcome to be there with Jesus, except maybe those of us who are too ashamed to be caught there with everyone else who weeps at the feet of the dying Jesus in the broken-hearted, the dying, the sick, the homeless.   When we choose to allow the LGBTQ person to the altar in the Episcopal Church who has been forced to leave the Catholic church because they will not compromise who they are to join the Courage Ex-gay ministry or, will not break up their relationship to be admitted to Holy Communion, we are welcoming the crucified and risen Christ.  When we receive someone who has been rejected by the Church and others, we are choosing to be with Jesus as he is lonely, without someone to love and in need of acceptance and a place to live.  At the Cross though is also those who need to be forgiven for every time they have slammed the door in Jesus' face when he came a knocking.  It is where all failure to love God, our neighbors and ourselves finds forgiveness and an opportunity to try again. It is where everyone including LGBTQ people can stand there with Mary Magdalene who we will commemorate tomorrow, and know that we have been in the presence of God's perfect revelation, and our lives and hopefully the lives of many, many people will never be the same. 

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those Who Influence Public Opinion, Book of Common Prayer, Page 827).

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). 

Four Incredible Women Dedicated to God's Inclusive Justice

Wisdom 7:24-28 (NRSV)

For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;

because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.

For she is a breath of the power of God,

and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;

therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.

For she is a reflection of eternal light,

a spotless mirror of the working of God,

and an image of his goodness.

Although she is but one, she can do all things,

and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;

in every generation she passes into holy souls

and makes them friends of God, and prophets;

for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom. 

 

The Episcopal Church commemorates four incredible women today.  We honor Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Ross Tubman.  Each of these women contributed to the advancement of equality for women and African Americans in society and the Church.  In the face of incredible discrimination, all of these women looked oppression and subjugation in the eye of both civil and religious leaders and helped bring liberation to so many people.

More complete information about each woman that we are commemorating today can be found in Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints. This book is the updated version of what was previously known as "Lesser Feasts and Fasts".  Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints was adopted and accepted at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2009.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton lived from 1815 until 1902.  She was raised by a strict Calvinist family in upstate New York.  She dedicated much of her life to bringing justice to the many wrongs done to women by the Church and society.

Elizabeth Stanton along with four other women organized the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Fall, New York, July 19-20, 1848.  For the next 50 year she dedicated her political and religious life to hold the Church accountable for how they used the Scriptures to subordinate women in marriage and forbidding them to be included in ordained ministry.  She challenged the idea that women were not able to vote, have equality in seeking employment, own property and eligible for a just living wage.

Elizabeth founded her own society of women to interpret the Scriptures in which they focused on those passages that were used to discriminate against women.  This happened shortly after the Revised Standard Version of the Bible was published in 1881.

Elizabeth was joined by Amelia Jenks Bloomer, who during her life insisted that: "certain passages in the Scripture relating to women had been given a strained and unnatural meaning." Of St. Paul Amelia Bloomer wrote; "Could he have looked into the future and foreseen all the sorrow and strife, the cruel exactions and oppression on the one hand and the blind submission and cringing fear on the other, that his words have sanctioned and caused, he would never have uttered them."  On the issue of Women's rights she wrote: "The same Power that brought the slave out of bondage will, in His own good time and way, bring about the emancipation of woman, and make her equal in power and dominion  that she was in the beginning."  

Sojourner Truth known as "Miriam of the Later Exodus" was born to parents who were slaves owned by a wealthy Dutchman in New York.  She was sold from household to household for the first 28 years of her life.

With the help of Quakers she fled slavery and later joined the Mother Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church when African-Americans were being denied the right to worship with the white members of St. George's Church in Philadelphia.  She was a street preacher who became active in the abolitionist and women's rights speakers' network.  She is best remembered for her speech: "Ain't I a Woman."

Harriet Tubman Ross known as "A Woman Named Moses" who was the sixth of eleven children born on a Maryland Chesapeake Bay plantation.   Harriet suffered beatings and a severe injury while growing up.  Her favorite Bible story was about Moses who led the Israelites out of slavery.  Those who lived in slavery during Harriet's years prayed for a Moses of their own.

Harriet Tubman eventually escaped to Canada, but later helped deliver over 750 slaves when she led 500 black troops as part of the Union Army.   She joined the Union Army after the Civil War began which she foresaw.  She cared for many Union and Confederate Soldiers who were wounded.

Harriet Tubman later lived in upstate New York where she helped African-American orphans and many helpless elderly people.  She founded schools for African-American children though she herself was unable to read or write.  She joined the fight for women's rights along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, but supported African-American women in their efforts to found their own organizations to address equality, work and education. (See Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Pages 474 to 476)

The Gospel for today's Commemoration is Luke 11:5-11.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Working for equal rights and justice is a matter of knocking, seeking and asking.  In most cases, we will be knocking, seeking and asking from many people who will say no, either because of prejudice or political agendas where the equal rights of minorities are used as a playing card.  No matter how evil our times are, this is no time to discontinue knocking, seeking and asking.  For women, African-Americans, immigrants and people of different nationalities, sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions there are many times in which we have asked for bread, we have gotten a stone from those who have often promised to support us.  In this way the Church has not done any better than secular society.  The Episcopal Church may have made many strides, but the Anglican Communion has a long way to go as an all inclusive fellowship.  

Nevertheless, we do not do ourselves any service as LGBTQ people, as well as anyone who is not white, male, heterosexual, upper class or Christian, if we stop knocking, seeking and asking in our prayers to God.  We also do ourselves and others a terrible injustice if we discontinue knocking, seeking and asking from both our churches and our Government.  The reason that these four women were successful, is because no matter how difficult it was, they never gave up.  They continued to tell the truth, no matter what price they had to pay for what truth they told.  They still served the most needy of society, and were willing to be friends with their foes because it was the Gospel thing to do.  

As we commemorate the memory of these four women, may all of us commit ourselves to the work of justice and equality for not just us, but for others who are working for equality.  There still remains much racism within the LGBTQ community, as there is sexism and heterosexism within communities of color and many immigrants who are also looking for equal justice.  We will not achieve full equality for ourselves if we are not concerned and/or working for the full equal rights of all people.  

O God, whose Spirit guides us into all truth and makes us free: Strengthen and sustain us as you did your servants Elizabeth, Amelia, Sojourner, and Harriet. Give us vision and courage to stand against oppression and injustice and all that works against the glorious liberty to which you call all your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the commemoration of Elizabeth, Amelia, Sojourner and Harriet, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 477).

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

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).

St. Macrina: A Woman from Whom All Christians Can Learn

Matthew 11:27-30 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Today and tomorrow the Episcopal Church will commemorate six incredible women Saints.  We begin with St. Macrina the sister of St. Gregory of Nyssa.  St. Macrina lived between 340 and 379.  According to the book Holy Women,  Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, St. Macrina was encouraged by her own mother to renounce the families wealthy lifestyle.  She established a monastery on her families estate and took very good care of the poor, especially young women many of whom joined her order.  She was often a counselor to St. Peter of Sebaste and Naucratios.  She counseled St. Basil to renounce material possessions so that both St. Basil and St. Peter crafted their Rule for their monastic communities.  When St. Benedict wrote his Rule between 540 and his death in 547, he most likely borrowed much of his material from St. Basil. 

St. Macrina shows us the strength and faith of a humble, but assertive woman in an age of severe misogyny.  The Church and the world of today may allow women to be ordained as Bishops, Priests and Deacons, however, we cannot ignore that we still live in a Church and even a society where there is still a great fear of women.  In the movie For the Bible Tells Me So, Bishop Gene Robinson makes the point that what frightens many men about homosexuality is the idea of a "privileged man" becoming like a woman within the context of sexual intimacy.  Over the last few weeks we have heard in one form or another about the earth shattering controversy over women Bishops in the Church of England.

While modern society has made great strides towards a greater acceptance of women, there still remains within society and the Church a misnomer that women are somehow the "weaker" of the human species.  The stereotypes that are used to belittle women in the Church and the broader society remain very cruel. The media continues to place women in the most vulnerable of roles as if women can only be the most vulnerable of society. 

St. Macrina shows that women can dedicate themselves to God in such a way as to show forth the wisdom of God in ways that men by ourselves cannot do.  The "wisdom" of God in the Bible is often written about in the feminine, not the masculine.  The first reading for St. Macrina's Commemoration from Sirach 51:13-22 talks about delighting in the wisdom of God and that: "Before the temple I asked for her, and I will search for her until the end."  (51:14).  The wisdom of God is something that one can search for until the day we die and we can find such delight in God if we are only willing to search for her with everything that is in us.  St. Macrina gave up everything, including her wealth so that she could spend her life searching for God in the poor and in helping others find God.  Those who often needed St. Marcina to help them find God were men.  It was because of her influence that some of the greatest writings of the early Christian Church are now available to us.  Yet, much of the history of the Church has been made masculine at the expense of the work of countless women throughout the ages. 

I would agree with Bishop Robinson and many others who would assert that the reason why the Church remains very hostile to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning/queer people is because of the fear of women.  Our society and Church of misogyny loves the idea of a male dominated world.  For many men, to place ourselves at the service of women is to "lower ourselves."  Yet it is interesting how many men will stoop lower than a leach to show ourselves better than women.  There are many women who do not even do that.

However, the Gospel from today tells us that it is the lowly, the weary and the heavy laden who are invited to come to Jesus so that he may give us rest, and learn from Jesus' gentle yoke.  It takes a tremendous strength for us to realize that we cannot find peace within ourselves or our own salvation in this world and the next unless we place our complete trust in God and God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ.  So many women like St. Macrina show us total and complete trust in God through the most difficult times.  Even when all of the odds of the world are against us being acknowledged for who we are, and even allowing us to have the dignity that only God can truly give us, it is the women who show LGBTQ and all people to turn to God and allow the Holy Spirit to use us where we are.  God the Holy Spirit who represents the feminine nature of God and most likely is the Wisdom that we should seek all of our life, shows us that when the going is tough and even the Church is not on our side, that God most certainly is.  The most important thing is to know for ourselves who God is, and to keep our faith and our hope in the Holy Spirit who will show us her way of love, grace, and truth.  Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would lead us in the way of truth, that is why Jesus left us and gave the Holy Spirit to us. (See John 16: 12-15).

Merciful God, you called your servant Macrina to reveal in her life and her teaching the riches of your grace and truth: May we, following her example, seek after your wisdom and live according to her way; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for St. Macrina, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 471)

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

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).