Luke 22:24-30 (NRSV)
A dispute arose among the apostles as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
"You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
I am really glad to find this reading today from Luke's Gospel. There is a lot to be said about knowing our place. Because we are all human, and live in a time when the goal is to rise above the rest as fast as we can, we sometimes do not see that where we are and what we are doing in the present moment is what is most important. Once when I was visiting with my old Spiritual Director, I was experiencing a lot of anxiety as I tend to do, because I have anxiety disorder. I had so many things that I wanted to have done. I said to my Spiritual Director: "If only I could have this or do that, I will know God's grace in such a wonderful way." My wise Spiritual Director corrected me. He said: "God's grace is in the here and now and is already wonderful. If you cannot accept and see God's grace working in the here and now, you are liable to miss it when it comes later."
God is using all of us right here, right now to do incredible things even if we are not the "greatest" among other people. If we tend to think that our greatness is measured only by human standards, we will miss one of the greatest of truths. Our greatness comes from God and the fact that God has placed us in this very moment to do whatever it is that we are doing. No matter how menial the task seems to us at the moment, God is making something great happen. In today's meditation from Forward Day by Day we read the following.
All of us have our greatness in God. This is what the disciples in their dispute over who was greatest did not realize. In the sight of God they had a greatness which they needed only to accept and in which they could find joy.
The same is true for us. We may burn ourselves out trying to achieve greatness or status. We may be unhappy because others hold positions of great importance and we do not. We may be filled with envy and jealousy or bitterness because we have not achieved our hopes and goals. We can take heart because we have our greatness in God—in that we can rejoice. We are God’s children, and nothing can take that away from us. (1981)
We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds. —Psalm 75:1
Today the Episcopal Church commemorates one of the twelve Apostles Saint Bartholomew. There is not much we know about him, accept that he probably went to India between 150 and 200 and while there he found "the Gospel according to Matthew" which had been left there by "Bartholomew the Apostle" I know it makes no sense. Other records tell us that Bartholomew was martyred by being flayed alive at Albanopolis at Armenia. (Read Saint Bartholomew, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 538). While we really do not know much about him, we do know that God did great things through this Apostle. Just as while many people in the world may now exactly know who we are or what we do, God is still doing great things in and through us.
I want to be clear here that I certainly am not all that happy that the fact that I am gay means that I am considered by so many to be a second class citizen. I am also not thrilled that me and my partner do not have marriage equality. The fact that Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act are not yet repealed is very disturbing. Because Congress has not yet passed an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (END) someone who is lesbian, gay or bisexual can still loose her or his job in 28 States in America, and a transgendered person can still legally loose her or his job in 38 States. None of these facts are things we should rejoice in or celebrate. We should not make peace with oppression. Yet, by being where we are, here in this moment we have the opportunity to live out the Gospel. We have opportunities to continue to contact our legislators, participate in peaceful protests and vote for pro-equality legislators. We can know that our greatness as LGBTQ people comes from the wonderful truth that God has made us as we are, and we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139: 14). And because God "detests none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it" (Wisdom of Solomon 11: 24), we exist in the here and now to do the wonderful things that LGBTQ people and those who support us do. It is indeed a terrible injustice that we do not have equal protection of the laws of our Nation, State, Cities and Towns. But God is very much on our side. "If God is for us, who can be against us." (Romans 8: 31). God who is on our side is calling us at this moment to be the people God has made us, and to find our greatness in God and let God do the rest. All we are asked to do, is what God has given for us to do in the here and now and everything that is great will come from that.
Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Saint Bartholomew, Book of Common Prayer, Page 243).
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, Page 100).
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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