Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, 'Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money-not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.' They departed and went through the villages, bringing
the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. Herod said, 'John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?' And he tried to see him.
On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured.
The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, 'Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.' But he said to them, 'You give them something to eat.' They said, 'We have no more than five loaves and two fish-unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.' For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, 'Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.' They did so and made them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Christianity continues to get a bad name along with the founder of our faith, Jesus Christ. Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics continue to pollute the internet and other media with their anti-LGBT rhetoric. Conservative Anglicans like the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) and CANA and the Anglican Bishop in Uganda and other countries are using rhetoric that places the worst kind of fear in the minds of questioning individuals who are trying to come to terms with their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. As a result, Jesus Christ and the Church are getting a bad name.
In today's Gospel, Jesus is painting a very different picture of what followers of Jesus are suppose to be like. Jesus sends out the twelve Apostles to those who will receive the Good News of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love. As the crowds become more and more hungry for the Goodness of God, they eventually come to Jesus looking to be fed in body and spirit. Jesus has given to all of us who follow him the ministry of representing him and the Church, by leading others to the place where God can feed our bodies and souls with the Goodness of God's Holy Presence.
God's Presence is suppose to be available to all who come with a hunger in their hearts for peace, holiness and fulfillment in their lives. When the local Catholic Archbishop refused Holy Communion to those who were wearing rainbow colors, it was an outrageous action of a man who's duty it is to lead others to Jesus, not away from him. I was so very pleased to hear that another Priest offered Mass with those who had been rejected and fed them with the very Presence of God.
Every individual regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, religions, ability or challenge, gender, language, employed or unemployed, rich or poor, healthy or unhealthy is an individual made and loved by God. There is no child of God that is not a masterpiece of God's creative and redemptive love. There is no daughter or son of God the Holy Spirit with whom she does not desire to look after as a Mother, comforter and consolation as we face the difficulties of our lives. God wants to reach out and love each and every one of us. God continues to do that through the mystery of God's Presence in the Holy Eucharist. No person has any business refusing that Presence of God from any of God's children.
Jesus sends all of us out to heal those who are broken, not destroy those seeking God's presence in their lives. A youthful person who is questioning her or his sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is a beloved child of God trying to understand how God has created that young woman or man to love others. The Church, parents, friends, families and whole communities need to reach out to that individual with the message that regardless of who or how you find that you are called to love, you are loved, supported and cherished by everyone who loves you. That is the beginning of creating healthy, holy and helpful communities through which all individuals can develop who they are, as well as who and how they love others. Suggesting that they suppress, or should change through the work of an ex-gay ministry turns Christians in to individuals who destroy and starve to death those who are searching to understand God's love in their lives. Using the Biblical stories of Sodom and Gomorrah, Leviticus 18:20 or 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 and first 1 Timothy 1: 10, and Romans 1: 27 to condemn homosexuality, is interpreting the Bible erroneously, as well as committing "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse." It is a sure way to destroy and starve someone who needs to be shown their way to God who will heal and feed them with the Goodness of God's Holy Presence.
Coming out is a matter of learning how and who we will love, and being public with that knowledge. It is a necessary step so that we are honest with God, ourselves and others around us. It is the first of many steps forward in our lives. Every individual needs to be allowed to make that journey freely and in their own time. The Church and Christians should be willing to embrace and support the women and men who come to terms with their sexual and gender diversity.
This month we remember that 12 years ago young Matthew Shepard was killed for being who he was. His mother Judy and father Dennis continue to be examples of a family who are as devoted to their son's memory as any parent can and should be. They have turned the pain of their lives around and use their voices and books to encourage others to accept their daughters and sons as they are and to support the cause of equality for all who are LGBTQ. You can read more about their incredible story in Judy Shepard's book: The Meaning of Matthew. The Shepard's along with the family of Randi, Philip and Jacob Reitan show how faith and family can work together not only for their own good, but for the good of others in situations such as theirs. Mary Lou Wallner, the mother of Anna who took her own life because of homophobia, continues to spread the message of love and acceptance through TEACH Ministries (To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia). You can hear more about her story and the story about the Reitan's in First Run Features For the Bible Tells Me So. These folks are disciples of Jesus who use their lives and tragedies to help heal and feed those who would other wise be destroyed or be forced to starve to death because of religious based anti-LGBT rhetoric and behavior.
Today, let us all recommit ourselves to being sent out to heal and feed others with the Presence of God. Let us also pray for those who misuse the Bible, the Christian Faith and their capitalist power to destroy and starve others. Most of all let us pray for those youth who are struggling to come out that they will find good resources, and that we all will work towards creating healthy, holy and wholesome environments for all of God's children.
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 23, Book of Common Prayer, page 234-235).
O God, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Future of the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 828).
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