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).
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