Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost: Seizing Opportunities for Justice and Inclusion

Once there was a man who led a very violent lifestyle.  He was arrested many times for robbing local stores and spent a lot of time in jail.  After the last time he was incarcerated, he was on his way to find somewhere to live when he found someone that he had robbed and beaten wandering the street.  When that individual saw him, he naturally turned to try to run.  The formerly incarcerated individual yelled out: "I know you have no reason to trust me, but please stop.  I am so sorry for what I did to you and all those other people I hurt."  The person who started to run turned and said angrily: "You have no idea what your robbery put me through.  Because of the money you stole and the beating I got at  your hands, I lost my family, my house, my possessions because I couldn't pay my medical bills."  He further said: "You got to live several years in a prison where you were kept warm and fed.  Here I have been out in the cold with no where to go.  My family and life are broken beyond repair.  And you want me to just talk to you as if I have no reason to be afraid?"   The man who caused all of his pain looked at him with tears in his eyes and responded: "I did all of those things to you, because when I was growing up, my father beat me so bad when I told him that I am gay that I had to go out on my own.  I didn't know who to go to, who to tell.  The local church I went to, threw me out because I wouldn't change from being gay.  So I did what ever I had to do to stay alive.  What I did was wrong.  I want to make it up to you.  I want to help you and me find a place to live.  If you will help me find the place to live, I will work for the rest of my life to pay you back as much of what you lost on my account as I can."     Later on, the guy who had been in jail all those times found someone to help him write his story down.  He sold it as a novel that became a New York best seller and every dime he got, he donated to the medical bills and livelihood of the individual he earlier terrorized.  He eventually found love in a partner and build a new life for himself.  And the man he had beaten and robbed, not only became his best friend, he became a PFLAG member and now helps the guy who beat him and other LGBT people in their struggle for equal rights. 

The little story I just wrote is a fictional story. I just wrote it as it came to my mind.  It did not actually happen that way.  But in the story is the narrative of two people put in terrible situations.  Granted one man was responsible for the others predicament, but in the end they both did the right thing.  Their stories touch our hearts and help us see that it is possible to do the right thing, to be a person for justice and to seize the moment even if we have been doing things wrong previously.  We can always change directions and become a person or a people who work for compassion, justice and equality where there previously was none of the kind.  That kind of spirit is still in people today.  It is possible to live like that.  If we are ever going to see our world of violence, prejudice and division change, we need to embrace attitudes of possibility to change how we are doing things now.

I believe that is what our readings in today's Eucharistic Liturgy is about.  In Isaiah 1: 10-18 God is challenging the people through the Prophet to recognize that they have become as inhospitable as the people in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.  A story that is most likely fictional, not actual.  As well as one that is about hospitality, justice and a call to understand that we should treat others with respect. 

I offer the following additional thoughts about this reading with respect to our Jewish relatives. Offering sacrifices was part of their ritual as deeply religious people.  God is not telling them to discontinue their rituals as if they no longer mean anything to God when they come from the hearts of those who deeply wish to worship God.  God is asking them to learn to exercise the justice and compassion that their sacrifices suggest they are about. God is calling God's people to recognize the needs of those marginalized by society as being people with God given dignity and integrity.  An individuals worth comes not because of what they do, but who they are.  Those who are poor, widowed, pushed aside by the wealthy and powerful are also children of God who have their place in society.

As lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people we all know the experience of being pushed aside by jobs we have sought, relationships we would have liked to have had and religious communities who have told us we are dirty or disordered because of our sexual and/or gender diversity.  We are presumed to be unnatural without people seeing that our love for members of the same sex is not only natural, but very holy.  If people could understand that we should have justice and equality because we are people and not on the basis of our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity, what a different world we would be living in.

The Gospel for today is the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19: 1-10.  Out in Scripture sheds some light on this well known narrative.

Luke 19:1-10 is the widely known story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Because of its popularity, we often see this story as quaint rather than controversial. There are a number of unusual occurrences in this passage, however. The first is the behavior of Zacchaeus. We are told in the narrative that he is “a chief tax collector and . . . rich” ( Luke 19:2).

A person of Zacchaeus’ status would not normally scamper around, climbing trees, to see anyone. In the ordinary course of events, he would have summoned Jesus to his house. That this wealthy man steps outside of the social structures of his day in order to see Jesus, says something about his character. His desire to see Jesus and his stature compels him to run ahead of the crowd and climb a tree (19:4). This inversion of normal power relationships highlights a theme we find throughout Luke: those in power must renounce their ways if they desire to be part of the realm of God. 

The second unusual thing in the narrative from Luke is the dialogue that erupts over Jesus’ visit to Zacchaeus’ house and its outcome (Luke 19:7-10). Zacchaeus is a sinner. Why? Because his occupation requires that he interact with non-Jews on a regular basis. In other words, he is ritually impure. The tax collector responds to this criticism by giving away half of his possessions to the poor. Jesus then pronounces that “salvation has come to this house” (19:9). Zacchaeus does what the Isaiah passage commands. It is interesting, though, because earlier Jesus said, “So therefore none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions” (14:33). This discrepancy between what is said and what is actually done runs throughout the Gospel of Luke. 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are often cast as outsiders in their own communities. Like Zacchaeus, what we have to offer is overlooked or rejected because of our status. However, like Zacchaeus we must not be afraid to seek Jesus outside of the traditional social structures and assemblies. While we may not always have the power and influence Zacchaeus wielded, we can duplicate his earnestness to see and hear from God through our willingness to extend ourselves beyond what is expected. We can seek alliances and associations that pursue justice and are concerned about what the Isaiah text emphasizes as important: the care for the oppressed, the orphan and the widow.

Despite current circumstances of hatred, rejection and degradation, the LGBT community and all groups that are persecuted because of their race, gender, social status and class can choose to pursue a vision of life and justice. Like Zacchaeus, we must decide that we no longer care about what people think and choose to follow our Just God anyway. Like the prophet Isaiah, we must seek the vision of justice and equality, and diligently pursue and mediate on it. Although we may not always accomplish our goal of eliminating discrimination and inequity, through our determination and faith in what is right we can shine a light on the world’s evils. We can be a beacon of hope towards a more just future.

Another look at the narrative about Zacchaeus can be found in Speaking to the Soul from the Episcopal Cafe.

Zacchaeus must be praised. His riches were unable to keep him from the royal threshold. He should be greatly praised because his riches brought him to the threshold of the kingdom. From this, we understand that wealth is not a hindrance but a help to attaining the glory of Christ. While we possess it, we should not squander it on wild living but give it away for the sake of salvation. There is no crime in possessions, but there is crime in those who do not know how to use possessions. For the foolish, wealth is a temptation to vice, but for the wise, it is a help to virtue. Some receive an opportunity for salvation, but others acquire an obstacle of condemnation.

From Sermons 95-96 of Maximus of Turin, quoted in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III, Luke, edited by Arthur A. Just, Jr. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2003). 

Realizing my blog today is already quite lengthy (but then again, my readers know that about me), I really do think that there is another idea we can take away from this. We just never know what we are going to learn from someone who is different from ourselves.   Both the Church and the LGBT communities like to talk about diversity being a strength of ours.  Yet, when we are faced with weaknesses with in that strength we are both good at making excuses as to why we are not paying attention.   We both would like to see good come from the other, yet we are so busy vilifying each other that we at times won't give each other the benefit of the doubt.  You won't get any arguments from me that the Church has been most unchristian and unfair to LGBT people.  Yet when many churches attempt to turn and begin to make amends and finally welcome LGBT people genuinely and sincerely, some LGBT just can't let go of their grudge to forgive those who have hurt them and give them the opportunity to alter their behavior.  Granted there are church communities that over and over again disappoint and hurt our communities.  I am not suggesting we trust or excuse the violent behaviors coming from communities that still are not getting the hint.  But there are other church groups that are working hard to heal those wounds that are not given enough credit and opportunity to be trusted.   At some point forgiving and giving each other another chance might just bring us all the healing and peace that our communities (both LGBT and the Church) need so much.

May we all take time to learn to see in others different than ourselves the potential to change and become welcoming, merciful and loving people working towards equality for all.  Amen.

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 26, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).


O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, page 816).


Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or, of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for An Election, Book of Common Prayer, page 822).

Faithful and Just God,
    We thank you for the opportunity to live
        as a vision of justice and hope.
    Allow our commitment to what is right encourage others to do the same.
    Give us the strength to step away from norms
        that hurt, degrade and oppress
        and guide us in discovering fresh and faithful ways of being in the world.
    Help us to be life givers and not life takers.
    Help us to build hope and purpose where there is none
        and to stay mindful that regardless of our status and circumstance
        we can be the catalyst for change in this world.
    Amen. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).

Read and Think Carefully.

Luke 12:32-48 (NRSV)

'Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 'Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 'But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.'

Peter said, 'Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?' And the Lord said, 'Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, "My master is delayed in coming," and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one whodid not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. 

This here is one of those heavy duty Gospels.  It contains a lot of thoughts about the reign of God at the end of time.  As the Church year begins to close in preparation for a new year on November 28th, so the readings in both the Daily Office and the Eucharist talk more and more about the end of the age.  These Gospels are often misused to scare people into Biblical literalism.   The Book of Revelation which is not a blue print for the future, becomes a Weapon of Mass Destruction.   

This Gospel challenges us to be about the work of the Gospel.  Which means calling people to repentance.  Changing hearts and minds to think more like that of Jesus Christ "who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross.  Therefore God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 6-11).   


What we see many Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics doing is rather than try to be more like Jesus who served all people, we see leaders of the Church trying to be more like God.  Not just being like God, but give people a vision of God that is not anything like who God was in Christ.   God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ was one who encouraged his followers to be about the work of spreading the reign of God on earth, rather than destroying people's faith in God through movements like the Tea Party. Movements that endorse the idea of leaving a noose near the door of Equality California. Or Southern Baptists, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox Church in America, The Presbyterian Church in America, and the Rabbinical Alliance of America sending a statement to President Barack Obama that if they repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell "could force their chaplains to choose between serving God or serving the military."  And then there is our own Archbishop of Canterbury trying to push the Anglican Covenant which is designed to introduce the idea of punishing provinces of the Anglican Communion who do not agree or operate according to the wishes of others.   Rather than looking for ways to push people out of the Church we ought to be looking at every way in which we can really promote the Gospel and invite people to believe in God and find peace within the loving mercy of Jesus.

When Jesus tells his followers to be about the business of working, he doesn't mean chasing out the very people who need God the most.  Jesus is telling us to be about the work of God's mercy and inclusive love.  We have been entrusted with the good news of God's unconditional love, so as to encourage others to follow Jesus Christ so that God's salvation can be shared with those who are lost, marginalized, stereotyped and separated.  When we use the Gospel to further marginalize, stereotype, and divide we are promoting a different Gospel than the one Jesus Christ told us to live.   Jesus Christ warned those who sat on their rules too much and thought they were holy just because they could recite the laws and prayers.  Jesus' stern warnings to be found working extends to those of us who love our Liturgical worship all too much, but fail to understand that we have a sense of mission by which we are to share the Gospel with others through our living more than preaching.   When the Church tries to suggest that the Gospel is for everyone except lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people unless they change who they are, they are turning the Gospel of salvation into a message of destruction and torture.   A careful look at this Gospel reading and we will see that Jesus wants his followers to be about a Gospel of inclusion, mercy and the building of community, not the tearing apart of.  

If only Christians would become excited and enthusiastic about helping people to find their way to the Church because it is a place where they are loved, accepted and affirmed.  A place and a people who promote holy living because of what we share in common in spite of our diversity, instead of trying to destroy diversity.  A Church where our sexual and gender diversity really helps us all to discover new things about ourselves and each other so that we can grow in to a community of love and mission.  I think that is what this Gospel is calling us to today.  May Jesus find us at work building up inclusive communities where everyone is welcomed, affirmed, accepted and celebrated.

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 25, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, page 100).

 

We Are Commanded to Love One Another

John 15:17 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Today is the commemoration of Sts. Simon and Jude who traditionally have been known as "Apostles to Persia". Because these two men were Apostles today is what we call in our Episcopal Church calendar a red letter day. 

We do not know as much as we would like to about these two Apostles.  We know that Catholics have offered novena's to St. Jude and often we will see devotions to the Saint in the classified section of the newspaper.  We know of the incredible work of St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  A facility known for its outstanding work on behalf of children who have cancer.    St. Simon is most likely the Zealot, whom that is pretty much all we know.  It is said that both actually died very peaceful deaths as opposed to others who were beheaded, crucified or tortured in other ways.  

I am having one of those days when I have a lot on my mind.  The elections are coming up.  The Tea Party has many people scared to death.  Last night Keith Olbermann on MSNBC gave a wonderful special comment about why we all need to go out and vote next November 2.  I have things to do, people to call and responsibilities to my husband.   Yet, in the midst of all this stuff to do, I have to stop and write this blog today.  Because in the Gospel for today's commemoration are the words: "Love one another."

The words of Jesus: "love one another" are hard words for me to read/hear.  I like things to go my way.  I might not be so loving of others next week if Republicans or Tea Party folks win elections on Tuesday.  I have a real hard time trying to convince people who have been so offended by Christians like Sharon Angle of Nevada promoting attack ads against immigrants and African Americans and others who are not white, Christian, heterosexual or other wise, that someone like her should be loved, because Jesus said to "love one another."   I have a very hard time with "love one another" with Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Emmer having participated in a Christian Rap group that sings a tune saying: "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide" aimed particularly at me, a gay man and my husband, and many of my good friends here in Minnesota.  Being told by Jesus to "love one another" is real difficult for me to do with Archbishop Nienstedt and his anti-marriage equality DVD and that fact that a number of my good friends will be refused Communion this upcoming  Sunday because they will be wearing a rainbow colored sash at St. Paul's Cathedral.

The fact that Jesus tells me I must love them as Jesus loves me, does not in any way mean that I must agree or approve of what they do.   Being asked to love them means it is my responsibility to call them out when they are imploring "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" upon myself and others like me.  Jesus gave us the commandments to love one another even toward those who misuse the Bible and their pastoral authority to abuse LGBTQ people and other minorities.  It is a very loving thing to tell Archbishop Nienstedt that he and his Priests as St. Paul's Cathedral are using "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" when they refuse the Presence of God in the Eucharist to people wearing a rainbow sash.  As is the authority that came from Cardinal Arinze in 2005 from Rome that told former Archbishop Harry Flynn to do that.  It is quite loving to not vote for Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Tom Emmer, Carl Paladino, and so many more because of their outrageous homophobic statements.  It is very loving to disagree with the Archbishop of Canterbury's statements towards LGBTQ people and the Episcopal Church when the Diocese of Los Angeles ordained Suffragan Bishop Mary Glasspool.   It is a very loving thing to tell the Anglican Bishop of Uganda and the leaders of Uganda that their bill to "kill the gays" by hanging and/or putting them in prison for life is so wrong that it should not even be printed on Government paper.  It is quite loving to tell Lou Engle that he sounds like Adolf Hitler when he rallies his crowds against any group of people that are not quite like him.  When Christians insight violence and influence hate, they are doing wrong to Christ and the Church.  

We are commanded to love one another.  That means that we tell Church leaders that when they or anyone for that matter scapegoats, LGBTQ, immigrants, people without health care, poor people, people of different races, women, Jewish, Islam and other people for their personal, financial and political gain, they are profaning the Name of Jesus Christ and violating the commandment of love.   Love demands that we sacrifice our popular stature to take a lash or two rhetorically or even literally for standing up for the truth, that all human beings are created in the image of God, and that we "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. with God's help." (BCP 294).   That is why the work of the Church to accept and include LGBTQ, women, and all people within our doors, and to share in the Sacraments is so very important.  It is just one way in which we fulfill Christ's commandment to "love one another."

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Sts. Simon and Jude, Book of Common Prayer, page 245). 

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, page 101).

Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To all who have executive authority and to all who have administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To those who make our laws give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. (Prayer for Sound Government, BCP, pages 821-822).


Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or, of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for an Election, BCP, page 822).

  

Our Actions or Lack Thereof Have Consequences

Luke 11:37-52 (NRSV)

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, 'Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you. 'But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.' One of the lawyers answered him, 'Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.' And he said, 'Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, "I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute," so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.'

This is probably one of the harshest moments between Jesus and the Pharisees and lawyers of his day.  They are all getting a verbal scolding for taking the high places while neglecting those they look down upon.  They have been politically maneuvering, using their place of religious and political prestige to get ahead of others different than themselves.  Jesus' harshest words are spoken to them.  They have followed all of the rules in good faith, so we can't take that away from them.  When the rules of the faith lead us to forget those whom we harm by what we do and say, we have just done the rules we have followed and those we have neglected a terrible disservice.  That is why Jesus is scolding these people.  And, rightly so.

This is not that far from what conservative Christians and arch-conservative Catholics are doing to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people in today's times.  Yesterday three news stories caught my attention that are good examples.  Family Research Council Tony Perkins made the remark that "Gay kids kill themselves because they know they're "abnormal".  A coalition of the nations anti-gay activists have denounced the need for anti-bullying measures in America's schools.    An Arkansas School Board member wrote that he celebrates the idea of LGBT suicides and believes that HIV/AIDS is a great way to kill off gay people.  Thanks to the work of Christianists, LGBTQ people are again victims of "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse." (Dean Spenser Simrill, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis, Minnesota). 


Such sentiments do not serve as a light to point others to The Light: Jesus Christ.  Instead they turn people away from him.  As Jesus said at the end of this Gospel today: "For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."  LGBTQ people are trying to get closer to God all the time.  Yet people with good hearts, twisting the Gospel of Jesus Christ into a Weapon of Mass Destruction push good and loving people away from God whom they need all too greatly.  LGBTQ people need to know more and more, I believe, that we are loved by God and that we are the "apple of God's eye." (Psalm 17:8). God holds us as LGBTQ people "under the shadow of God's wings" (The remainder of Psalm 17:8) because of God's extravagant love for all of God's people.  In God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ at his baptism, God told each and every one of us that we are God's beloved and with us, God is well-pleased.  (See Matthew 3:14).  When Jesus was dying on the Cross, Jesus looked at each one of us individually and collectively, regardless of our sexual and gender diversity and prayed: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34).   All of us regardless of race, national or cultural origin, religion, ability or challenge, gender, gender diversity/identity/expression, sexual orientation, class, employment status or language were saved from our sins so that one day we could live eternally in the Presence of God.  God made no distinction.  Human beings have and continue to do so, grieving the heart of God.


We have all heard the phrase: "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."  When we do not protect our youngest members of the LGBTQ communities, we are doing all of human kind a terrible disservice.  We are leaving the most vulnerable to the vulture like rhetoric and behavior of the Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics.  We all pay the price for our lack of action on their behalf.  As youth who are LGBTQ grow up with a sense that somehow God hates them, it is very difficult for those of us who are LGBTQ Christians to reach out and tell them about how God loves everyone unconditionally and all inclusively.  


Intertwined within this Gospel is a message of hope.  All of us can do our part to be messengers of hope and inspiration for LGBTQ youth through our words and actions.  When Christianists, Tea Baggers, arch-conservative Catholics spout hate rhetoric and take action against LGBTQ people, it is our moral duty and obligation to tell LGBTQ people and youth that Christianists and others like them are flat out wrong. We can all be good examples of what it means to be LGBTQ and Christian.  We can be a voice for justice and equality.  We  must not be afraid of any Bishop, Priest, Deacon, lay person, or otherwise who uses their authority spiritual or otherwise to support the "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" of LGBTQ people.  This includes sadly the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, and others who think like him.  


Among things we can also do to help LGBTQ youth and people in general to feel better about Christianity is to point them towards positive religious voices, many of whom I have named in the past.  There is no reason the bigot voices of Christanists and arch-conservative Catholics have to be the only one's speaking and/or writing.  That is one of the reasons I write this blog as often as I do.  I still believe in Jesus Christ and the Church, but I also believe it is my duty, our duty to hold the Church accountable when it fails to set a good example on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ.  One of the duties of all Christians regardless of our position or vocation according to the Book of Common Prayer is to "represent Christ and the Church" (pages 855-856).  When we take and/or renew our Baptismal Vows we promise to "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human person."  We answer the question with: "We will with God's help." (BCP. page 294)  It is therefore our duty to what we have promised in our Baptismal Vows to strive for the justice of what Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Episcopalians/Anglicans to tell them that what is happening in Uganda is wrong.  What Tony Perkins writes and says is wrong.  What Archbishop Nienstedt and Pope Benedict says about LGBTQ people is wrong.  What the National Organization for Marriage is doing to defeat marriage equality for LGBTQ people is wrong.  The violence that is coming from the mouths and actions of the Tea Party is wrong.   What ex-gay ministries do is wrong.  Anyone who uses the Bible to condemn homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender people and the physical love between two people of the same sex is wrong.  Anyone who uses the Bible to suggest violence towards doctors who provide abortions, to Muslims, Jewish People, New Age folks are wrong.  They need to be told and those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ who know better, need to tell them.  They are wrong.  It is the business of Christians to be concerned and to do what we can.


How are we going to fulfill our duties as Christians today?

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 25, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

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

Building Our Lives On a Solid Foundation: Finding Stability in the Midst of Change

Luke 6:43-49 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

"Why do you call me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house."

Benedictine Spirituality has two foundational yet paradoxical ideals.  Stability and change.  When a monk makes his temporary and/or solemn vows two of those vows are stability and conversion of manners or life.  The vow of stability is a commitment to his monastery with which he will live and/or be associated his entire life.  Conversion of manners or life is the resolve to allow God to continue to change the monk through out his life within the community of the monastery.  Those of us who are Oblates or observe the spirituality of the Rule without living in a monastic community can take a lesson from St. Benedict.   Only in God will we find true stability in the midst of change.  

Over the years I have become very skeptical of any prayer or person who makes the statement: "The one thing that does not change is God."  There is one particular prayer in the Book of Common Prayer used at Compline (or night prayer) that I really do not like.  It is the second collect following the Lord's Prayer on page 133 that ends with "we that are wearied by the changes and chances of life may rest in your eternal changelessness."  I believe that God's love is changeless,  but I do not believe that God is totally changeless.  There are countless examples in Scripture of God changing either God's mind or God's Self.  Such as in Genesis 2: 16 and 17 we read:

And the LORD God commanded the man: "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." 

Yet later in chapter 3 after Adam and Eve have eaten of the tree, they did not die.  They were punished, but they did not die.  Did God change?  Yes, God did change. 

If we are going to say that God does not change, then how do we explain the Word became flesh?  God became human in Christ.  God changed.  Jesus was God's perfect revelation.  While the Word always was, yet when God became human in Jesus, God "became" therefore God changed.  The foolish interpretation of Hebrews 12:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" to mean that Jesus Christ never changes or changed is not correct.  Jesus at one point was not on this earth.  Jesus was at one point a fetus, a new born child, a child, a teenager, a young adult.  Jesus Christ died, rose again, and ascended to the right hand of God.  The death and resurrection of Christ changed all of human history and reconciled all humankind with God.  Okay, we always pray that the Holy Trinity always was, is and ever shall be.  But that does not mean that each separate and distinctive Person cannot and does not change in one fashion or another.

It is because of God's ability to change that God can also change human hearts by the Holy Spirit.  And I do believe that is what the changing shifts of time and understanding are about.  As Jesus is telling us in today's Gospel our tree is known by it's fruit.  When God is invoked as a mean, angry and vengeful God the Christian Church eventually and has reaped the fruit of people rejecting the Faith.  When Christians become violent to the point of a man killing Dr. George Tiller as was explained in a brilliant piece narrated by Rachel Maddow on MSNBC last night, people rightfully look at Christians with a sense of disbelief and fear.  When the pulpits of Christian churches in America result in the suicides of LGBT teens who have been bullied, we have to ask the question: What fruit are Christians being known for?  What *tree have we spent time at if we are not concerned about the safety of individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer within the walls of our churches?  What foundation are we building our spiritual and/or religious homes out of if we allow prejudice to take root in our hearts?  Hopefully the *tree we spend more time with is the cross.

In an excellent post by W. Christopher Evans in the Daily Episcopalian we read:

"The late F. D. Maurice one wrote that “the Incarnation may be set aside in acts as well as words.” The Incarnation, in other words, is not just about systematic or doxological proclamation. The Incarnation has something to do with how we are with one another, with our relatedness and our social worlds, here and now. The Word of God does not shrink from politics, but moves to the heart of human concerns and works continually to redeem them. That means that sometimes we will disagree publicly with one another, that we will fight with one another, and that we can be assured that God is working out our salvation in us and among us in our midst not despite our struggles, but precisely through, with, and in them."

Later in the same post we read:

Whatever else may be affirmed about a spirituality which has biblical precedent and style, spiritual maturity or spiritual fulfillment necessarily involves the whole person—body, mind, soul, place, relationships—in connection with the whole of creation throughout the era of time. Biblical spirituality encompasses the whole person in the totality of existence in this world, not some fragment or scrap or incident of a person….Politics, hence, refers comprehensively to the total configuration of relationships among humans and institutions and other principalities and the rest of created life in this world. Politics describes the work of the Word of God in this world for redemption and the impact of that effort of the Word of God upon the fallen existence of this world, including the fallen life of human beings and that of the powers that be. Politics points to the militance of the Word of God incarnate, which pioneers the politics of the Kingdom which is to come. Politics heralds the activity of the Word of God in judgment over all persons and all regimes and all things whatsoever in common history. (22, 25-26).

Many readers of my blog would also enjoy this post by Jim Naughton.

When we build our own lives on the foundation of God no matter how much God or we might change, we will be able to withstand the changing tempests.  Because no matter how much God changes or we change, one thing that does not change is God's unconditional love and God's commitment to be on our side no matter what.  Paul wrote in Romans 8: 31 "If God is for us, who is against us?"  Later Paul wrote: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (8: 38, 39).  Our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/diversity/expression are not barriers to God's unconditional love.  Our expression of physical, sexual and romantic love for someone of the same sex in loving, committed relationships are blessed and honored by God.  What we need to do however, is anchor our hearts and lives into God's unconditional and all inclusive love, so that when the changing tides of life come upon our lives and relationships we are able to remain firm on the foundation of God's loving grace.  That way our love, relationships and lives will bear good fruit for the reign of God.

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 25, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Alfred the Great, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 653).

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).

It Gets Better Video by Jason King and Philip Lowe, Jr. Invite Others to View

Everyone is welcome to view and/or pass along this video. 

22nd Sunday After Pentecost: Recognizing God In Everyone

Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

We have to be very, very careful in this weekend's Gospel reading.  A Gospel such as this one can lead us very close to anti-semetism.  The Pharisee described in the parable has done what he believed his religion required of him.  He followed his heart and he was thankful for all that God had done with and for him.  Out in Scripture calls attention to the goodness of the Pharisee.

Today’s gospel reading appears easy to understand at first glance. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 is a favorite for those who want to chastise others regarding their sense of entitlement. Yet, this parable is about more than who should be humbled and who exalted. Embedded in this story is often overlooked message about being in true relationship with God.

The Pharisee described in the parable could not be any more different than the tax collector. He is a deeply religious individual, who has committed himself to the practices of his faith. We must take into account here that Judaism, unlike some understandings of Christianity, is a religion of loving observance. Performing specific practices expresses the intent of one’s heart and faithfulness. In Judaism, three practices were (and are) considered to be of central importance: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. This is why the Pharisee puts such an emphasis on them: “I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income” (Luke 18:12). Notice that he speaks of fasting and giving while he is praying. For him it makes sense that because he does what is expected in living a faithful life, he considers himself righteous or justified.

The idea of righteousness in the New Testament points to a relationship between the individual and God. When a person is designated as righteous, it means that she is in right relationship with God. How this relationship is understood varies somewhat in the New Testament, but in all instances, the writers maintain that God initiates this relationship. The same is true for Judaism. The practices described in this passage then are responses to God’s grace not a prerequisite for it. In this case, the Pharisee was righteous — in right relationship with God — before doing any of the actions described in the text.

The problem with the Pharisee’s prayer comes out in 18:11: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”

Here is where I want to be sure that I convey to my readers. I do not and cannot condone what Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics do and say towards those of us who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer people.  What they promote is "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse."  As with any abusive situation, often the person doing the abuse is someone with very sincere intentions.  She or he may have a good heart or even be a very faithful Christian.   The problem for them is that they bash and abuse LGBTQ people with the attitude of "thank God we are not like them."  There are many LGBTQ people who want to draw close to God through good spiritual guides.  However, because of "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse"  what is happening is LGBTQ people are pushed further and further away from any relationship with God and the Church.  Many of those who are pushed away from God, are also pushed away from their families, friends, communities, jobs and social services just because of who they are, and how they love others. 

On the flip side of the coin, it is very important that those of us who are LGBTQ do not resort to our own attitudes of self righteousness.  Just because of our sexual and gender diversity, does not mean we get to do everything just as we please.  We have a great gift to love and be loved by others as LGBTQ people.  That gift entitles us to great opportunities many of them given to us by God.   The gift does not, however, entitle us to be reckless with other people's bodies, hearts and whole lives.  Just because we are oppressed does not mean we should make peace with the idea of oppressing others.  There are way too many within our communities who are all too proud to bash other members of our communities who chose to still have a religious faith of any kind.  There are those who are irresponsible in not getting themselves tested on a regular basis to be sure that we are not endangering other people if we have any kind of STD.  I have heard way too many stories of gay men in the middle of a break up, while one of them nukes the others cat right in front of the other to watch.  I have an ex lover who walked out the door with my cat as an act of passive aggression.  Thanks to a good friend of mine in the community, I got her back.  The point is, just because we are experiencing oppression, does not give us the license to be oppressive to others.

As LGBTQ people, we do need to realize that we are created and loved by God.  We too are sinners saved by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, like all Christians.  We too need to recognize with in us, is the need for God to save our souls and unite us to others in friendship and community.  Many of us have wronged others in very real ways.  Maybe we did it out anger because of something some anti-gay Christian said.  The anger is real.  The anger inspires a call for us to get others to work for justice and equality and not make peace with oppression.   That is our anger at work in a positive way.   If we channel that anger towards hostility and cruelty towards even members of our own communities, we are behaving no better than those who oppose our equal rights.

This Gospel is a call for us to see the good that is within us all.  The message from today's Gospel is also a call to recognize our own humanity and to approach God in humility.  To offer ourselves as we are, and leave the work of healing and growing in God's hands.  We do not have to fix everything that is wrong about everyone around us.  We are responsible for following God within the context of our own lives and hearts.  We are responsible for the witness that we give to Jesus Christ in our own lives, so that others might follow a good example.   If we will remain faithful, God will take care of the rest.

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.(Proper 25, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

God, our Advocate,
        open us up to the movement of your Spirit.
    Allow us to see ourselves
        and others that are different from us as part of you and your people.
    Help us to grow in the knowledge and awareness
        of your divine invitation to live in partnership with you
        and help us to throw off
        the prejudice, fear, rejection and pain
        that separates us from your
        unbounded and unconditional love.
    O, God, hear our prayer. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).

St. James of Jerusalem: Brother of Jesus: Inclusion Paves the Way.

Acts 15:12-22a (NRSV)

All the apostles and elders kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, "My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,

`After this I will return,

and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;

from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up,

so that all other peoples may seek the Lord--

even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.

Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.'

Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues."

Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their members and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

Today is what is called a red letter day in the Episcopal Church as we commemorate St. James, the brother of Jesus.  He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem and was instrumental in settling the question of Jewish requirements for Gentile Christians.  Vicki Black in Speaking to the Soul writes about St. James. 

As leader of the Jewish Christian communities and in particular the Jerusalem community, James was predominantly concerned with the self-definition and identity of Jesus’ followers. Like his brother Jesus, James saw his Jewish heritage. He did this by working for the restoration of the people of Israel following the direction set by Jesus’ ministry. James did not envision the followers of Jesus belonging to a new religion; they were the true heirs of God’s promises made to Israel. In Jesus’ life and ministry these promises had begun to be realized. This messianic movement belonged fully within the world of Israel’s faith and heritage. James sought to remain true to this vision.

As leader of the Jewish Christian communities in Jerusalem and the Diaspora, James approached every issue from the framework of his Jewish heritage. The decision of the Council of Jerusalem and the Apostolic Decree illustrate this approach very well. Circumcision was not required of the Gentile men who followed Jesus, and no ritual or cultic laws were required of Gentile believers beyond the stipulations that belonged to all Gentiles, namely the Noachide commandments and Leviticus 17-18. These stipulations were important for James, as they were a way of demonstrating identity: for the followers of Jesus these were the laws that gave them an identity in distinction to the society around them. These stipulations enabled them to define the boundaries. . . .

James’ ethnic and religious background as a Jewish Christian defined his whole perspective. James saw his role as remaining faithful to the directions set by Jesus in striving for the restoration of God’s twelve-tribe kingdom. Fidelity to Torah was the center for retaining access to God and for defining boundaries in interface with others. The struggle with Peter, Barnabas, and Paul related to James’ concern with preserving the centuries-old Jewish social map of the world. In relation to Paul’s outreach to the Gentile world, James’ attitude was more one of tolerance than active support. In effect James’ approach was to confine himself to the world of Jewish Christians. If Gentiles wished to associate with the Christian movement, James had no objection. He viewed their relationship with Jewish Christians as analogous to the relationship that existed between Jews and resident aliens within the world of Palestine.

From James of Jerusalem: Heir to Jesus of Nazareth by Patrick J. Hartin (Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2004).

Among my own thoughts that I have for today's commemoration is how obsessed with sex conservatives seem to be.  In the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer individuals, we are not looking to be wild sex hungry monsters.  We are not intending on spreading diseases or "rape straight soldiers in the Military" as those against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell claim.  LGBTQ people do not "recruit children".  Children and  youth who are struggling to come out, but cannot do so at home or in their church communities come to us, because with us they find people who accept them, encourage them and help them develop in to healthy wholesome people.   There are many LGBTQ people who want to grow closer to God and the Church, but they simply cannot approach a religious institution that teaches them to hate themselves.  Individuals who are LGBTQ want to find a home, community and loving relationships just like heterosexuals and single gender minded people do.

St. James the Brother of Jesus was trying to help merge the world of Judaism and Christianity.  It was not really Jesus' intention to create a new religion, nor is Judaism responsible for the death of Jesus.  Sin, intolerance, and fanaticism with power and prestige killed Jesus.  Today, sin, intolerance and a fanaticism for power and prestige is even now giving Jesus a bad Name.  Through spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse, Jesus in the lives of old and young LGBTQ individuals is being crucified over and over and over again.  LGBTQ individuals are being persecuted, harassed, bullied with youth being driven to suicide. 

Sisters and brothers, messages of intolerance, fanaticism, power and prestige are not the message of Jesus Christ.   They are not the true message of the Christian Church.  They have no place there.  God came to us in Jesus Christ to unite everyone among God's family to one another and bring those who are marginalized into that community of the Spirit of love, acceptance, forgiveness and inclusion. 

Matthew 13:54-58 (NRSV)

Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house." And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

In the Gospel associated with today's commemoration we see Jesus experiencing the same exclusion by his own home town that many LGBTQ people experience.  Jesus was stereotyped because of who his family,  and his brothers were. Jesus' listeners found it difficult to give him credit for what he was saying, just because his father was a carpenter.  How many LGBTQ people are immediately judged as not being able to do a job, be part of a Parish committee or teach a Sunday School class, just because of our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/diversity/identity?  If we are allowed to do any of those things, we are restricted to Don't Ask, Don't Tell type of deal in the Parish or our place of employment.  Because of  closed hearts, Jesus was not able to work any many deeds of power, because of their disbelief.

When Christians place human made exceptions on who is to be included in the life and Sacraments of the Church, and those who are not due to erroneous interpretations about homosexuality from the Bible, the power of Jesus within that community is very limited.  On the other hand, when a community opens it's doors, hearts and Eucharistic Table, giving everyone an opportunity to experience Jesus' loving grace in all of the Sacraments, Jesus works many deeds of power throughout the community.  The Sacraments are suppose to unite Christians together, not divide people against each other.  This is one of the greatest differences between the Roman Catholic tradition and the Episcopal Church.  Over the past years the Episcopal Church has been working to open our Sacraments and Ministry to any and all people.   Granted, we have a long way to go.  But we do not place the restrictions on people to receive the Sacraments as we may have in the past.  The Episcopal Church's General Convention works every three years to open those doors of possibility even wider.  With the ordination of many Women Bishops, Bishop Gene Robinson, Mary Glasspool the Episcopal Church continues to open up our Sacramental Rites to all of the Baptized.   That is due to the hard work of Integrity USA and The Chicago Consultation.   It is true that the Episcopal Church is experiencing a lot of rhetorical persecution, and doctrinal abuse for having done such.  Yet, the Episcopal Church like Jesus and his Brother James continue to speak the truth, no matter what the cost.  The ministry of loving and including others takes first priority. 

Let us ask ourselves, how are we helping Jesus to share his message of inclusion?  What can we do to help Jesus get a good Name?  How can we help our communities be more inclusive?

Grant, O God, that, following the example of your servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for St. James, Brother of Jesus, Book of Common Prayer, page 245).

Prayer, Work, Hospitality and Reconciliation: Benedictine Concepts for Every Day People

Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.' 

I have always found this Gospel account to be very Benedictine.  Martha and Mary invited Jesus into their home to share in a meal: hospitality.   Martha takes on the tasks of preparing the meal: work.  Mary has chosen to sit at the feet of Jesus to hear what he was saying: prayer.  In the course of the discussion Martha gets upset that Mary is not helping.  Jesus attempts to help both Martha and Mary see that what each of them is doing is important.  Jesus invites Martha to consider the need to be quiet and listen so to center herself on God.  Prayer.

The problem with this Gospel is we have two women being portrayed in a bit of a stereo type.  The women work to prepare while the man sits on his rump and talks all the time he is there.  Mary is portrayed as sitting their listening and in Martha's defense, she was leaving all the work to Martha.  When Jesus tells Martha: "Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her" Jesus is not telling Martha she is doing wrong.   He reminds her that worrying about things all the time and not taking time to listen to God in prayer leads to an imbalance within our spiritual and personal lives.


As activists in society and the Church on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people many of us are fatigued from battling with leaders and campaign efforts.   Working on justice all the time without taking some time to recharge our interior personal lives with the love of God's grace and love can be a form of spiritual malnutrition.  


I posted the image of St. Benedict because he was a great symbol of taking the time out of our day to pray, work, show hospitality and be about the ministry of reconciliation.  We will not be successful in our work of justice and equality if we do not center ourselves and our work on God.    One of the philosophies of St. Benedict is that when we work, we are at prayer.  When we are at prayer, we are doing the work of God.  In the Latin: work of God is translated as opus Dei.  And NO we are not talking about the reactionary group mentioned in The Davinci Code.  We are talking about doing the work of God when we are at prayer.  Prayer is God initiative, we just choose to participate in the exchange.  Prayer is a two way street of listening and talking or thinking.  It is a state of the body as well as the open position of the heart and the soul.


Likewise, when we are at work we are opening up ourselves to participate in God's work of creation and development.  God is the God of both creation and evolution.  Try telling that to Christine O' Donnell.  God not only makes, but inspires development and nurturing as we participate with God as God does God's work through our work.  For many of us our work is working towards equality and justice for LGBTQ people.  Some are Bishops, Priests, Deacons and lay people.  Some are pastoral counselors, others are psychologists and psychiatrists.   Others do missionary work of writing, helping out at a local HIV/AIDS center, may be by helping to prepare hot meals.  For many of us, maintaining our homes and relationships is as much about working as it is about hospitality and reconciliation.  


The point is: "Everything works together for good of those who love God." (Romans 8: 28).  In the foot note to the word good it says: "Other ancient authorities read: God makes all things work together for good, or in all things God works all things for good."  This means that even our sexual and gender diversity which is part of the perfect nature of each of God's children, is something God uses for good.  When we apply our gift of sexual love within the context of loving committed relationships God is doing good through and with us.  

What Jesus is telling Martha is that Mary has taken time to balance the scales of life a bit.  Sometimes we need to withdraw from rush of a busy world full of problems, bias, arrogance and corruption to find in God peace, acceptance, humility and wholeness.  We need to take time to surrender our tears, our anger, our happiness and laughter and just bask in the Son Light of God's amazing love for each of us.  God will speak to our hearts and our minds and will help us keep our lives on a course that is both fruitful and meaningful. We will see ourselves through God's eyes as God tells us that we are God's children with whom God is well-pleased. God will want us to know that what ever we have done or not done that has offended God, God has forgiven us.  We will hear about how God is so concerned with what hurts us as well as celebrate with us those things that are helping us to be happy..  We may come back knowing we have work to do, or even to find that a new problem has come our way.  The important thing to remember is that when we return to our daily activities, God has not stayed back in our prayer chamber.  God has walked with us and will go with us through anything and everything and will help us understand God's will through it all.  We might not get it the first time, but we do not have to always get it right.  In the words of Bishop Gene Robinson in the Special Extras section of For the Bible Tells Me So: "All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other, and God will do the rest."

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 24, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).   

Ever Thought About Marriage Equality In the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,' he said, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What is written in the law? What do you read there?' He answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.' And he said to him, 'You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.' But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend." Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.' 

I am really excited about today.  This evening St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis is going to host Catholics for Marriage EqualityMN  with Catholic theologian Daniel Maguire speaking at this event.    The local Roman Catholic Archbishop has really been doing some major damage to the LGBTQ communities this past year.   In April he invited the National Organization for Marriage along with the Bishop from California that pushed for the passage of Prop 8 to begin an anti-marriage equality campaign in Minnesota.   Earlier this month the Minnesota Catholic Conference including every Catholic Archdiocese and Diocese in Minnesota sent out a DVD encouraging Catholics to support anti-marriage equality candidates for office in Minnesota.  The additional point of the DVD is to push for a State Constitutional Amendment that is against same-sex marriage.  


I like to look at this as the LGBTQ communities already beaten and battered by the robbers of heterosexism and homophobia.  Over these past few months we have witnessed the terrible destruction of the lives of LGBTQ youth through suicide because of bullying.  In June we heard Judge Walker declare Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, as well as Judge Phillips declare the Don't Ask, Don't Tell is also unconstitutional.  Judge Phillips has requested that all attempts to dismiss openly gay or lesbian service members from the Military cease immediately.  A day after the Pentagon issued a request for Service recruiters to accept openly gay or lesbian service folks in to the Military, a federal appeals court granted a Stay that allows DADT to be in enforcement once again.  So many of us in the LGBTQ communities are angry, discouraged and feeling like our President is betraying us.  Our communities are so wounded.  The Catholic church is only adding insult to injury.  Passing on the other side of the road.  


We Episcopalians though we are not really Catholic in the sense that we do not believe and live under the human made teachings of a Pope, we are also not really Protestant in the sense of Martin Luther or John Calvin.  The Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church embrace all that is good about both traditions, including the Eastern Orthodox and pulls them all together in one.   We are a combination of Anglo-Catholics, Puritan Protestants and even some Evangelical and Charismatic traditions.  We have high, moderate and low styles of worship.  We celebrate the Mass in which we believe in the Real Presence of Christ, but we leave it to each and every individual to decide how Christ's Presence in the Eucharist is Real for them.  We have conservatives, liberals, progressives as well as Religious orders, Bishops, Priests and Deacons.  Episcopalian's one document of what we believe and pray is the Book of Common Prayer.  We have some of the best Cathedrals in the World, as well as some of the most down to earth people.  We have people of deep faith.  At St. Mark's we commit our community to the full inclusion and integration of LGBTQ people into our Parish.  We also operate a weekly Monday Night Supper, Sunday Night Supper on the 2nd Sunday of the Month, and a weekly Warm Space for individuals who are in need.   And tonight we get to reach out to a group of people who having been battered and bruised by spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse, and give them some solace as they hear a different word, a healing word from one of their own theologians.  

As Episcopalians when we renew our Baptismal Vows we are asked the question: "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human person?"  Our response is: "We will with God's help." (BCP Page 294).  Striving for justice and peace and respecting the dignity of every human person means reaching out to those who are wounded, being brutalized by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and becoming a person and/or place of healing and encouragement for all who are marginalized by society and the Church.  When Jesus tells us in today's Gospel: "Go and do likewise" Jesus is challenging us to decide how we can go and do what the Good Samaritan did.  Each of us can do something to reach out to those who have been left on the side to die of starvation either through physical,political/social violence or spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse.  


What Jesus is describing in today's Gospel is the ministry of radical hospitality and reconciliation.  A Benedictine and Christian value.  Christianity does not hold a monopoly on truth.  When we become ambassadors for Christ through the ministry of radical hospitality and reconciliation, we do show the truth about Jesus Christ as opposed to the bad Name he gets through Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics.  


When two people who are in love with each other whether LGBTQ or straight and wish to get married, they are fulfilling the request of Jesus to "go and do likewise" in today's Gospel.  When we marry and love the person we are in love with, we are loving Jesus.  When we give a home to our spouse, partner, best friend and lover and support her or him with our loving commitment through good times and bad, sickness and health we are taking in someone who is in danger of being left on the side of the road, wounded and dying.   Marriage Equality is an opportunity for Jesus Christ to be both served and honored in LGBTQ people, because he would be totally and unconditionally loved regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression/diversity, just as God has loved all of us unconditionally.   It is an opportunity to bring into the Church those who have been wounded by the Church through spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse.  We will heal the wounds as we pray for healing through the administration of the oil of gladness, and the Inn Keeper who is God, will gladly do the rest as God reconciles LGBTQ people who were once rejected by the Church.   All efforts to eradicate the sin of heterosexism, by changing the laws and systems that allow discrimination against LGBTQ people are efforts that God ordains and blesses.  In so doing we are responding to Jesus' command to "Go and do likewise."

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 24, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

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).

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).

Jesus Is About Building Communities, Not Tearing Them Down.

Today is one of those commemorations where the Gospel in the Divine Office is better suited than the one for the Eucharist.  Because I want to focus more on inclusion, I am going to use the Gospel from the Divine Office and refer to the commemoration of Henry Martyn who was a Priest and Missionary to India and Persia.

Luke 10:1-16 (NRSV)

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house!" And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near." I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. 'Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.' 

No matter what impression the Christianists like to give of Jesus, it is obvious to me that Jesus is very different from how they present him.  God is not a psycho path.  God is not an angry vengeful God waiting to strike some one down.   At last week's candle-vigil held in Loring Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis said: "The Bible is not God's penal code."  "The Bible is not God's sexual ethics book."  As Dean Spenser Simrill has said: "Christianity does not hold a monopoly on the truth."  We Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Truth, but that does not mean we have a monopoly against someone because they do not worship or believe as we do.

Unfortunately, Christian history is full of examples of missionaries and other individuals thinking that Christians do have a monopoly on the truth and going in to other lands and tearing down their societies to remake them.  Now the Christian community is confronted with what happens when we do that kind of thing.  Uganda's "Kill the Gay's" bill is just such the result of colonization of other continents believing that those who are different, should become like how we think they should be.  Such behaviors are really not what evangelizing in the Name of Jesus Christ is about.

In the Gospel today, Jesus sends out 72 and calls on them to bring peace to the places where they are welcomed.  Jesus also instructs the 72 to not let the places that will not receive them, get to them too much.  It is important to recognize Jesus' reference to Sodom and Gomorrah as being about hospitality, not homosexuality.  Jesus sends out the 72 to bring healing, community, and caring to all who welcome them.  Jesus tells them to eat whatever they are given and to create a community through which God can work through those who are building the community.    Jesus challenges those he sends out in his Name to build up communities, not tear them down.


Heterosexism and homophobia, as well as all other forms of prejudice towards any person or group of people, does not build community.  Phobia's and isms break down communities and create walls for people to avoid accepting and embracing each other. Hate rhetoric and organizing against a group of people based on sexual orientation and/or gender diversity/expression is a way of tearing people down, not building them up.  Rather than seeking to recognize God's creative beauty in other people, phobias and isms separates and divides.  Over these past few months we have seen Christianists using Jesus and the Bible to justify cruelty and violence of the most vicious kind to destroy any group of people who are not like them.  The Tea Party movement is about destroying people, not building them up.


One of the LGBTQ communities most famous bumper stickers reads: "Celebrate Diversity."  Diversity when celebrated and embraced builds up communities.  The people Jesus sent the 72 out to visit with, were diverse.  Yet Jesus told the 72 to do what they could for each of them.  When communities are receptive to diversity, they become welcoming communities where everyone really does care about each other.  When someone is down on their luck or in need of help, members of a diverse and welcoming community will reach out to do what they can.  Our race, sexual and gender diversity, ability or challenge, gender, language, culture are not barriers in a community that celebrates diversity.  Rather, diversity allows each person to become who God has created her or him to be, and everyone in the community learns something about themselves as they learn about each other.  This is the community that the LGBTQ communities embrace, and they should be the same communities that the Church embraces.  As the United States of America, working towards equality for all people should be our pride and joy, not our most complicated political issue.  


As Christians it is our duty to share the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ with all people.  That is what Henry Martyn did.  Yet, our sharing of the good news should not stop at the doors of compassion and caring about people who are different than ourselves.  The Church is going through a lot of growing pains to learn that.  We have to look back at our history and understand what we did well, and what we missed the mark on.  Plundering whole countries, religions and peoples to remake them into what we thought they should be, were just a few examples off those miss the mark moments.  Telling the whole world that God loves us all in Jesus Christ and invites (not threatens us if we do other wise) us to know and love him better, is exactly what the Church is suppose to do.  I hope all of us celebrate as much as we rededicate ourselves to continue to work to make the Church a more welcoming and inclusive community that builds people up instead of tearing communities up.

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 24, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

O God of the nations, you gave your faithful servant Henry Martyn a brilliant mind, a loving heart, and a gift for languages, that he might translate the Scriptures and other holy writings for the peoples of India and Persia: Inspire in us a love like his, eager to commit both life and talents to you who gave them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Henry Martyn, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 647).


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).