St. Andrew the Apostle: The First Among Disciples to Welcome Others

Matthew 4:18-22 (NRSV)

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

We commemorate today St. Andrew among the first Apostles called by Jesus.

Of St. Andrew, James Kiefer writes:

Most references to Andrew in the New Testament simply include him on a list of the Twelve Apostles, or group him with his brother, Simon Peter. But he appears acting as an individual three times in the Gospel of John. When a number of Greeks (perhaps simply Greek-speaking Jews) wish to speak with Jesus, they approach Philip, who tells Andrew, and the two of them tell Jesus (Jn 12:20-22). (It may be relevant here that both "Philip" and "Andrew" are Greek names.) Before Jesus feeds the Five Thousand, it is Andrew who says, "Here is a lad with five barley loaves and two fish." (Jn 6:8f) And the first two disciples whom John reports as attaching themselves to Jesus (Jn 1:35-42) are Andrew and another disciple (whom John does not name, but who is commonly supposed to be John himself -- John never mentions himself by name, a widespread literary convention). Having met Jesus, Andrew then finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus. Thus, on each occasion when he is mentioned as an individual, it is because he is instrumental in bringing others to meet the Saviour. In the Episcopal Church, the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew is devoted to encouraging personal evangelism, and the bringing of one's friends and colleagues to a knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.

Just as Andrew was the first of the Apostles, so his feast is taken to be the beginning of the Church Year. The First Sunday of Advent is defined to be the Sunday on or nearest his feast (although it could equivalently be defined as the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day).

Several centuries after the death of Andrew, some of his relics were brought by a missionary named Rule to Scotland, to a place then known as Fife, but now known as St. Andrew's, and best known as the site of a world-famous golf course and club. For this reason, Andrew is the patron of Scotland.

As Andrew was among the first Apostle to follow Jesus, Andrew was also among the first to invite others to join the company.  St. Andrew's life had been changed because of encountering Jesus.  His eyes were opened not only to God, but how God in Christ could impact others if only others were invited into the company of following Jesus.  He would have been someone who extended his hands along with other Disciples so that those whom they met would know that they no longer had to remain marginalized.   Just because society or the Church had set them aside not to be bothered with, did not mean that God had lost interest in them.

As we consider the meaning of St. Andrew as the first and someone who welcomed others into God's company, how are we attracting others ourselves?  The Church has been called by God to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all kinds of people.  The Episcopal Church has been making it more possible for LGBT individuals to be ordained not only as Priests, but also as Bishops.  The Standing Committee on Music and Liturgy has been working on creating same-sex marriage Liturgies for use in those places where marriage equality is the law.  Yet, we hear of arch-conservatives within the Anglican Communion who want The Episcopal Church to be removed from the Communion because we are including LGBTQ people.  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other churches are also feeling the pinch of congregations who disapprove of the welcoming, ordaining and marriage rites for LGBTQ people.

If the Church in the 21st Century is to be a welcoming and inclusive place, extending our hands and hearts to people of different sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions, races, languages, nationalities, religions and so forth is so important.  We cannot be isolated by Biblical literalism that erroneously condemns LGBTQ people and commits them to ex-gay groups to "heal the gay".  We cannot remain visually challenged to the needs of the poor, homeless, destitute, immigrants, the unemployed who are about to loose their unemployment benefits or challenged if we are to be the Church that extends our hands to everyone to welcome them into the company of following Jesus.   

St. Andrew the Apostle is the first among Apostles celebrated at the beginning of the Season of Advent so that we will know and understand our role in welcoming others into God's company as we prepare to help establish God's reign of justice and equality in the Church and society.  During Advent we are preparing to remember Christ's first coming as helping us to prepare for Christ's second coming at the end of time.   We do not know when that will be or even how it will happen.  In the meantime, we have the opportunity to be about the work of welcoming others into the company of a God who loves everyone unconditionally and with no exceptions.  A place where God transforms people into a people who love others without really caring about their sexual and/or gender diversity.    A place where we understand that God creates everyone differently, but loves us all as God's beloved with whom God is well-pleased.  

As we continue through Advent with today's commemoration of St. Andrew, we should pray that all of us be able to extend our hands to others to welcome them into the company of God's holy people.  

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Andrew, Book of Common Prayer, page 237).

First Monday of Advent: How Have We Been Doing?

1 Thess. 1:1-10 (NRSV)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just asyou know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Forward Day by Day's meditation for this reading has some good points.

Christians of the twentieth century, to Paul, apostle, missionary to the world in every generation: grace be unto you, and peace.

We regret to say we do not deserve your opening remarks to our brothers who lived in Thessalonica. The gospel is received here, and in such numbers that would astonish you. But the Thessalonians received the gospel “not in word only, but in power.” Our problem is that while the word is with us, the power is missing. As a result, we are not “an example to the believers.” You may have had “no need to speak about it” to the Thessalonians, but we need you to speak. We read your letters over and over, but with results that would disappoint you. The Thessalonians imitated the Lord  so well that their lives demonstrated the gospel to the world. It is sometimes said of us that no one can tell a Christian from a non-Christian on a clear day at high noon.

This is our “affliction.” After many years of established Christianity we are being smothered by our own success. (1960)

The  list of 18 anti-gay hate groups profiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center  many of them religious based shows how Christians have been doing.   Promoting violent rhetoric and injustice towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  Is this where the message of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit have brought us?  A place where immigrants face horrible discrimination through Arizona's law?  Where those who are not white, male, heterosexual, single gender minded, able to speak and write in English, Christian, employed, are healthy, wealthy etc benefit at the expense of every person that is not?  How exactly is this receiving the Gospel in such a way that it has been changing our world and the Church to make room for the reign of Christ?

The Church and society are so corrupt that the Prime Minister of Kenya has called for the imprisonment of all homosexuals.  The Archdiocese of Baltimore has started a campaign to "promote marriage" but same-sex marriage should be out of the question.  Many adult LGBT folks are homeless due to employment problems.  What are we doing to correct the problem?   This week we hope the hearings will begin to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT).  Senator's John McCain and Lindsay Graham are determined to block it's vote in the U.S.Senate.  The Senator from Arkansas Mark Pryor wants to keep DADT in place, because he feels homosexuality is a sin.  The American Family Association will not confront the reasons it is considered a hate group by the SPLC.  

The letters to the Thessalonians were written because a group of "End Timer's" had told the Thessalonians that the second coming of Christ had already happened and they missed it.  As a result the people there had lost sight of what it means to be a Christ follower.   The letters were written to help the Thessalonians know that Christ had not yet come, and that they needed to get their act together.  

Today, we have all kinds of groups telling people especially LGBTQ people that if we do not change the essence of who we are, when Christ comes we will be damned.  And they wonder why they are considered hate groups. God has gifted LGBTQ people with the unique gift of loving people just a little bit differently.  We have been created just as we are, and when Jesus came to us in the form of a human being, he came for all of humankind.  Jesus came to bring those who have been marginalized by the Church and society into the company of God's reign.  Those considered outcasts, would be welcomed as among God's holy people.  Diversity in the eyes of God is a wonderful and awesome thing.  It is how God reaches out to all of humankind and challenges us to do the same.   Yet time and again, we see those who lead or are part of the Church trying to stigmatize those who look different, talk different languages, are from different countries, of sexual and gender diversity, and so forth.  Rather than work to find room for all of God's people, many who lead and worship in the Church look for reasons to keep diversity outside of God's house.  LGBTQ people more than most. The work of ex-gay groups is to exterminate lesbian and gay people, by forcing us through so called "compassionate counseling" to "change" what is not meant to be changed.

As Christians we receive the message of the Gospel and show forth the power of God's Holy Spirit when we "reach forth our hands in love" to those who are homeless, poor, hungry, marginalized and oppressed.  When we as a Church confess our sins and look to the Holy Spirit that she might help us realize that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality or transgender people, but calls us to embrace everyone as a daughter or son of God, we are indeed preparing a fitting and loving home for God's reign.  As we recreate a world and a Church where there is equality and justice for all people with no exceptions or reasons for prejudice and violence, we will see Jesus in every person living among us.  

How have we been doing?  We can always do better. Advent is a time to look into our hearts and see our actions as they are. It is an opportunity to seek the grace of God in Jesus Christ to transform our hearts by God's Holy Spirit.  So that when Christ comes he will find us watching and waiting, because we have been working to bring the reign of God on earth by God's will for each and every person.  Accepting each other as good, diverse people all of whom have something good to offer that has been given to us by a loving and gracious God.  

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the First Sunday of Advent, page 211).

O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.  Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of yoru love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Thanksgiving for the Diversity of Races and Cultures, Book of Common Prayer, page 840).

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).

First Sunday of Advent: We Begin Again.

In Vicki K. Black's book: Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of The Episcopal Church, she writes:

It is important to remember that Advent is not just a season in which we recall an event of the past--Jesus' birth--but also a time in which we look to the present and the future.  When will Jesus come again?  When will the kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven? Of course no one knows.  And so the more important questions are: What can we do as the church, more important questions are: What can we do as the church, Christ's body here on earth, to bring about God's reign of justice and peace today?  What can we do as individuals to reorder our lives, in the light of God's love?  What would it mean to live as a people who believe in Jesus as the savior of all the earth and who expect him to come again at the fulfillment of time? Each Advent we turn to these questions anew.

It is easy to sentimentalize Advent and Christmas by focusing so much on the coming birth of the baby Jesus that we lose sight of why he came--to save a lost, sinful, and beloved people; to restore a broken world; to conquer death and raise all the creation to new life in God.  We love anticipating happy events, and most of us would rather think about the birth of a baby than about restoring the world.  Yet, the Gospel loses its power and meaning when we gloss over the reality of darkness in our world. (Page 16).

The important thing to consider during Advent is that the restoration of God's reign on earth is a work that all of us are called and empowered to be a part of.  God's merciful and gracious love has gifted all of us to take part in bringing God's reign of justice into this world.  Advent is the opportunity to begin again as it is the start of a new Church Year.  In the midst of all the hustle and bustle that began two weeks ago as radio stations already started playing Christmas music and stores advertised their black Friday sales to make corporate profits even bigger, yet, is the story of real people who are hungry, naked, oppressed, victims of spiritual, political and social violence.   Within their stories are challenges for Christians to find their places in those stories so that we can be about the work of establishing God's reign. 

In the first reading from Isaiah 2: 1-5 God promises through the Prophet to establish God's mountain from which God will teach God's people God's ways and judge the earth.  As Christians one of our greatest mistakes has been putting off doing justice thinking that another time or person will come along to take care of things.  But the reality is, God has placed each of us in the here and now.  To respond to the evils of our time such as political and social corruption.  As people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender expressions/identities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, languages etc continue to face persecution and oppression, the Church has been given the awesome task of raising our voices on behalf of those who are oppressed.   Much of the oppression that many experience is because of the Church and many of the mistakes we have made over the centuries.  Biblical literalism, colonization and cultural suppression are just a few examples of how the Christian Church has misrepresented Christ and the Church.   In this year of 2010 and 2011 the Holy Spirit has been calling the Church to a new understanding of sexual and gender diversity.  So that God's mountain of justice for all peoples can be established.

The Christian Church should be proclaiming the Gospel of inclusion and justice so that all may say with the Psalmist: "I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord." (Psalm 122:1).  Instead many in the Church through political organizations such as the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, the National Organization for Marriage which have been profiled as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), to suppress and oppress any person or religious group that does not think or operate as they do.   When Christians erroneously help others paint a picture of God as an unjust and angry psycho path by telling LGBTQ people that our sexual and gender diversity is "sick" or "disordered" it sends out the message that the house of the Lord is a terrible place to go.   Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer individuals whether Christ followers or not at least in name, but in practice are really great at extending hospitality.  LGBTQ people have the ability to tell our stories so that the ignorant messages of hate by Christianist and arch-conservative Catholic/Anglican and Episcopal groups are rendered groundless.  We can tip the scales of ignorance and prejudice and help God transform hearts and minds.  

In Paul's letter to the Romans 14: 11-14 we are challenged and invited to see the urgency of creating a world of justice and inclusion here and now.  The time of Jesus Christ's second coming may not have happened yet, but Christ did come and showed us through his example how we can help establish the reign of God here and now.  When we welcome the stranger, hold out a hand to help the broken hearted, bring reconciliation where there was once misunderstanding and disorientation, we help God's presence to be real and powerful.   Some of Paul's exhortations against having a good time, might seem a little extreme.  I do not believe Paul is talking to or about those who do things with a genuine sense of moderation.  We are all asked to be considerate of others by not becoming a people who have no personal self-control.  While loving another or even others sexually and physically with a sense of love and respect of others as people and not objects is good and holy, the use of other people for our own selfish desires is not.  It is important to maintain a level of self respect and a healthy respect for others.

The Gospel reading from Matthew 24: 36-44 sounds as if Jesus is preparing the disciples for dooms day.  There are many Biblical scholars who would suggest that Jesus is not talking so much about the end times as much as he is referring to the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Pontious Pilate and the Roman Empire.  For those who lived there, it was the end of the world.   Nevertheless Jesus tells those who are listening: "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father".  This is why I tend to shake my head and ignore those who suggest that the impending wars in the world are a sign that the end times are near.  Many Christianists suggest that when LGBTQ equal rights are granted in America and/or in other European countries, Christ will return to punish the nations with God's fury.   The problem with such nonsense is that it is just that nonsense.  Such words are spoken to promote a world and Church of fear so as to justify the worst kind of violence and hatred.  What Jesus is promoting through his words here is to prepare for the return of Christ by helping to establish peach and justice in our world of today, here and now.   Advent reminds us that we do not know exactly when Christ will return, but we do know that we can be doing so much to help make God's reign on earth a reality as we promote a Church and society that welcomes all people with radical hospitality and seeks reconciliation.   This is why Christians and all people of good will need to reject the hate messages from Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans and Episcopalians.  When such groups of people work over time to suggest that "God hates" any group of people the Church and society is in real trouble.  When we use the Name of Jesus Christ and/or our names as Christians to scapegoat people, we are not promoting the reign of Christ on earth.  When Christians promote hate, we make hell a living reality for way too many people. 

As we begin again in this Season of Advent, let us remember that we all have work to do.  Making the Church and society more inclusive and a place for justice and peace for all people is what preparing for the reign of Christ on earth is all about.  Let us take that mission seriously and do our part to make the reign of God's peace, justice, inclusion and love the best news that came from Christmas Day we will celebrate.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 211).

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).

Holy One, we are an Advent people,
        those who are called to struggle for
        a new and transformed world for all your creation.
    Help us to claim this Advent season as
        a renewed commitment to bring your realm into being
        on behalf of all those who are waiting and hoping for justice and
        liberation.
        Help us take on the mantle of courage as we face into all the places
        where we are complicit in the world's suffering,
        so that our true repentance might help turn our world around. 
    Help us take on the mantle of justice making in this moment and time,
         for this is truly revolutionary patience.
    Amen. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture.)
 

Thanksgiving Day: May We Celebrate, Include and Repent

My very favorite of all American Holidays recognized as Holy Days by the Episcopal Church has to be Thanksgiving Day.  I was raised in West Wareham, Massachusetts in the company of my good mother, my father, my sister, my Italian great aunts and grandmother on my mother's side.  My father was a hard working man.  Although he had difficulties as any person does, he did as much as he could humanly do to be sure his family was well cared for. 

It was not until after I moved away from my home town that my grandmother filled me in on a secret that I never knew until then.  My grandfather's ancestors on my mother's side of the family were pilgrims who settled in the Plymouth Plantation and most likely celebrated that first Thanksgiving Day feast together.  I am very thankful to God for the heritage that is part of my families legacy.  Yet, I also have to be mindful of the fact that there are whole groups of people who perish and experience injustice at the hands of those who prosper. 

As a former right wing Christian I used to watch (and now I am ashamed of my previous behavior as I consider myself a progressive Christian) the news clips of Native American's in the First Unitarian Church in Plymouth expressing anger over how the Pilgrims took their land and resources as the Puritans colonized territories not belonging to them.  Now that I am Episcopalian I am reminded that my Anglican heritage is full of both Anglo-Catholics and Puritans who shamefully shared in some of the plundering of the Two Spirit Natives.   As Americans, we have much to be thankful for and celebrate, but we should also recognize that we have an obligation to include others as well as repent of many evils that are still part of our daily lives.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (NRSV)

When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, "Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us." When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the LORD your God, you shall make this response before the LORD your God: "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me." You shall set it down before the LORD your God and bow down before the LORD your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.

The reading from Deuteronomy is a reminder that everything we have today is a gift from God.  Our land, homes, families, communities, material things as well as our intellect are all part of God's graciousness towards all of us.  As Americans we have been given an abundance of goodness to share in.  Yet, we like all individuals are effected enough by human nature that we often want to hoard all that we have for ourselves.  Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate with festivity all that God has given to us, as well as remember the sacrifices that have been made to bring to us all that we have.   As Christians, God sacrificed God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ to bring salvation to all humankind that will approach God through Christ.  Even Christians have forgotten charity towards those with whom God communicates differently through other world religions, Spiritualities, cultural expressions and so forth.  God has created and blessed all humankind as unique and diverse so that all of creation can draw closer to God in ways that work for them.  This past year, American conservative Christians have demonstrated such hate towards Muslim people, resulting in negative stereotypes that have brought about hateful rhetoric and violence.  And the continued rhetoric and behavior towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people from Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans and even some Episcopalians cannot be overlooked.  As a result of the poor behavior towards LGBTQ people many LGBTQ individuals struggle with isolation from their families during this holiday season.  May be some of us need to open our hearts, doors and dinner tables to an LGBTQ person who is lonely this Thanksgiving.  

In Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:4-9 we are told:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

This Thanksgiving we are called to rejoice in all of the opportunities that God gives us to speak up for and to work for the equality of all who this day are denied their dignity by the Church and society.  As Americans we are fortunate to live in a land where we have the freedom to act on behalf of people who are marginalized.  Our United States Constitution as well as the Gospel that Christians claim to cling to call on our Government and us to speak on behalf of and do all that we can today for those who are yet waiting for a better tomorrow.  Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity to be thankful that there are great voices and individuals among us who are passionate and willing to remind the wealthy and powerful, that their corporate wealth does not rule those who can barely afford a one room apartment and have to go to a soup kitchen.  Through out the Bible and especially the Psalms there are countless examples of God viewing the poor as God's greatest friends.  Even as corporate powers want to send the middle class into oblivion, God still has the last word.  In America, we still  have the power to tell corporations NO.  Let us rejoice and give thanks, in prayer and supplication that in America we can say no to injustice, inequality and the evils of greed.

Paul tells us to celebrate what is good, noble, pure, pleasing, commendable, holy to think on those things.  Love is excellent, whether shared by individuals of the same-sex or opposite sex.  Marriage equality is pure, holy, good, noble, pleasing.  Inviting someone who would otherwise be alone with no one to care about them to share our Thanksgiving Day meal, warm home if only for a few hours is good, noble, pure, pleasing and commendable.  Serving Thanksgiving meals at a place where people who would otherwise go hungry for the day is a good and praiseworthy thing.  Spending a day in silent gratitude is praiseworthy. 

Last but not least our Gospel for this Thanksgiving Day is John 6: 25-35.

When the crowd found Jesus on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

I am very thankful that on Thanksgiving Day that our Gospel is about Jesus feeding us.  God promises us through Jesus that all who come to him will not hunger or thirst.   For those who are poor, without work, homes, heat, health care, or dignity through the misconceived notions of the Church and society hearing that Jesus won't leave us hungry or thirsty is a big problem.  Many people are hungry and thirsty.  Many people today are with out justice, such as individuals denied proper medical attention because of health insurance companies mismanagement of their wealth.  How then is God feeding and nourishing us?

As Episcopalians and Catholics we understand that Christ is Really Present in the Eucharist.  For Episcopalians we are reminded that we must allow Christ's presence to be Real through us if Christ is to truly feed all of us with Christ's Body and Blood.   The word Eucharist means Thanksgiving.  We give thanks to God when God's presence is made real as we celebrate, include others marginalized by society and the Church and repent of our sins for marginalizing other peoples in the first place.  Giving thanks is an opportunity to reflect that "immeasurable love in Jesus Christ, our Lord" through our service of those who really are hungering and thirsting for the Goodness of God through the Church's ministry.  God nourishes others with the Real Presence of Christ when we may Christ Real as we serve others who need to know that they are loved, cherished and part of God's holy family of loved and included persons.  

This Thanksgiving I am thankful to God for all of the good that I am able to enjoy because of God's graciousness.  I am thankful for the love that Jason and I share together as a devoted Christian gay couple.  I am thankful for our Spiritual home of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and the Episcopal Church.  I am thankful for the ability to sit and write these lines that may give some encouragement to someone who might need one today.  I am thankful for the heritage of my family.  I am thankful that my mother has done so much for me and that we are still able to talk on the phone while we cannot be together in person.   I am thankful to all who read my blog and find it helpful.  I am thankful to all who read my blog and have different opinions.   I am thankful that though we as LGBTQ people we are far from achieving full equality in the Church and society that we are moving ever closer and closer.  I am thankful for all of the great activists both secular and religious who are part of the work for equality and caring for those marginalized.  I am thankful that God sees fit to allow me to know so many wonderful people, many whom I cannot name, but are an important part of my life.  I am most thankful that God loves me as much as God does, that I have been made a good gay person who loves Jesus Christ and that writing this blog is a means by which I can share that love.  I am no better than anyone else.  I am a man of many faults, sins and even some disabilities.  But I know that God loves me as a gay Christian because in Jesus God has redeemed me as one of God's own.  I am thankful that over these past two years God has been transforming me in ways that I could not be not that long ago.   I am also very thankful that this Friday, marks two years since I left the Catholic church's ex-gay ministry called Courage that was started by Cardinal Cooke, and that I now have a terrific life, a loving man and so much love in my life because I can be who I am and know that only better things are yet to come.

I wish all of my blog readers, whoever you are and where ever you are, what or who ever you believe in a Happy and Holy Thanksgiving.  

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Thanksgiving Day, Book of Common Prayer, page 246)

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.  (General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer, pages 101 + 125)

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

St. Clement of Rome: May We Always Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Luke 6:37-45 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, `Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.

"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."

This Gospel contains some words that even those who may not read the Bible regularly know about.  "Judge not, lest you be judged."  Whenever a Church official fails to live up to someone's expectations it is not uncommon to hear: "The blind leading the blind."  

I think if all of us are honest with God, others and ourselves we would have to admit that we all judge and that we have visual challenges that make it difficult for us to see things clear and others that are not so clear.  Even someone who tells someone else not to judge is making a rash judgment just in the remark itself.  The old phrase that when we point one finger outward, we have three more pointing right back at ourselves.  


We have all heard the words: "Actions speak louder than words."  There is much truth to that.  However, I am of the opinion that there are actions already in progress with the words we speak.  This is most notable in politics.  As we are winding down the wire to what will hopefully be the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell we see Senator John McCain working to exploit the Military's Study for his own benefit, or even dismiss the entire thing.  Republicans telling the American Public that extending the Bush Tax Cuts on the wealthiest Americans will somehow benefit middle class Americans who have been out of work even while the Bush Tax Cuts have been in existence.   Arizona claims their immigration law is to protect America's borders when really it is to help the privatized prison system and Arizona's Governor to cash in on a huge monetary profit at the expense of helpless individuals who have nothing but violence to return home to and even more racial violence to face here in America.  

In the Anglican Communion we are debating the Anglican Covenant which seems to be more about shutting down the discussion of ordaining women and ordaining LGBT persons as Bishops and/or allowing us to create Liturgies to bless and celebrate same-sex relationships.  While trying to show what appears to be a wolf in sheeps clothing, it is women and LGBT people who could once again be considered expendable while men and heterosexuals benefit. It is easy to talk about who or what to judge when you are someone benefiting at someone else's expense.   It is easy to talk about the blind leading the blind, when it is those blinded by discrimination who get to make decisions about those with whom they discriminate.  


This Gospel is not totally sold to all of the negatives that we can derive.  Jesus is telling us that we all have the potential for the greater good of all of God's people.  Jesus talks about the relation of fruit from the tree.   The tree that Christians are most associated is the tree of the cross.  At the cross where Jesus died for all of us, there is no excuse for scapegoating people.  At the cross, prejudice and violence find their match as God shows God's mysterious and unconditional love for all of humankind.  This world with it's evil of judgments based on race, skin color, cultural background, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, religion/spirituality, gender and so on is met and called to account for all its cruelties by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In the Paschal Mystery (the death, resurrection, ascension and Pentecost) God has sought out the lost, broken, wounded, marginalized and discriminated and named all of God's people as God's beloved with whom God is well-pleased.   When Christ established the Church through the Holy Spirit, it was called to be the message of God's salvation for all the world out of God's extravagant love.  Not God's most fearful condemnation.   A good reading of Romans 8 will explain what I mean here.

Today the Episcopal Church commemorates the third Bishop of Rome, Clement.   Clement was a disciple of the Apostles who carried on their work.  Through the work of Clement the work that was begun by the Apostles began to bear fruit as the celebration of the Sacraments along with the ordination of Bishops and Deacons was begun.  Unfortunately the first and second letters to Corinth that Clement wrote were lost and did not reappear until 1628 long after the Canon of Scriptures was established.


Quoting from Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints on page 698 Clement wrote: 

"The apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus the Christ was sent from God.  Thus Christ is from God and the apostles from Christ.  In both instances, the orderly procedure depends on God's will.  So thereafter, when the apostles had been given their instructions, and all their doubts had been set at rest by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, they went forth in the confidence of the Holy Spirit to preach the good news of the coming of God's kingdom.  They preached in country and city, and appointed their first converts, after testing them by the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers."

As Episcopalians we understand from pages 855-856 of the Book of Common Prayer in the Outline of the Faith, that Laity, Bishops, Priests and Deacons all represent Christ and the Church.  How we represent Christ and the Church differs by what order of ministry we are in. But, we are all an order of ministry nonetheless.  By virtue of our Baptism and the vows we made and reaffirm every Easter and moment at which Baptisms are celebrated, we state the importance of our work as representing Christ and the Church.   Among the many vows of our Baptism is to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human person." (BCP. Page 305).


If the Church today is to continue the ministry of those first Apostles, then we need to meditate perhaps on how serious we are about that.   Just as the Apostles were individuals who sometimes missed the mark, so do we.  That is why we continue to pray as we did yesterday that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth, including those things about others who are different from ourselves and how we might reach out to them with that same Spirit of love and compassion.  May we continue to pray and be open to the Holy Spirit without ceasing.

Almighty God, you chose your servant Clement of Rome to recall the Church in Corinth to obedience and stability; Grant that your Church may be grounded and settled in your truth by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; reveal to it what is not yet known; fill up what is lacking; confirm what has already been revealed; and keep it blameless in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 699).


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)

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).

Holy Spirit: Guide Us Into Truth and May We Never Stop Asking

John 16:7-15 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

Of all the Scripture Readings that have made a huge impact on my life this past Pentecost this would have to be at the top of my list.  The sentence that I have italicized tells us that the Holy Spirit's work is on going.  The work of the Holy Spirit guiding us into all truth does not end with the Pentecost event, but continues as long as it takes for her to keep teaching us what truths we do not yet understand.  Is that not the role of a good mother?  A good mother never stops trying to tell her children the truth, even if they are not really listening.  Even if the truth that a mother is speaking is not very popular. The Holy Spirit which represents the feminine nature of God keeps telling the Church and all humankind who will listen that she desires to keep guiding us into all truth.

Over these past thirty to forty years the Holy Spirit has been guiding us into the truth about women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  The Holy Spirit has also been moving on all of humankind to reach beyond our understandings of people of different races, cultural backgrounds, abilities and/or challenges, languages, religions, understandings, etc.  Just when we think we have figured everything out, that is when the Holy Spirit rips open our Pandoras Boxes and reveals things to us about God, others and ourselves.  As Christians we make the biggest mistake when we try to close up our boxes.  That is the point in which God wants to reach out to us so to inspire us to reach beyond ourselves as much as we possibly can.  When we do, it is amazing what God will show us.

Today in the Episcopal Church we commemorate the great author Clive Staples Lewis (C.S.Lewis) and his many masterpieces of Christian Literature.   A man who once rejected Christianity.  Yet, God had not stopped searching for him.  In his famous work Mere Christianity C.S.Lewis wrote: "You must make your choice." "Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut Him up as a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God."

C.S. Lewis' works have been used probably by all branches of the Christian Church.  Liberal, Conservative, Fundamentalist, Roman Catholic, etc.  Sadly, like many other forms of spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse his work like the Bible is often misused as WMD towards LGBT people.  Maybe I need to write a bit more about why I think they become Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). 

When the Bible or the works of a man like C.S.Lewis fall into the hands of individuals desiring to use them to change who a LGBT people are and/or how an LGBT person loves other people they become WMD.  When the Bible and/or the works of Christian Literature including the works of the Saints such as St. Augustine, John Crysostom and many are used to arm twist people into "rethinking" about who we are, they become WMD.  This is the reason we must all pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all of the Church into a greater understanding of truth.   As long as there are those in the Church who feel that the Bible, C.S. Lewis and many others are reasons for creating Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill or Arizona's Immigration Bill, or a Federal (or State) Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage it means that the Church is not listening to the Holy Spirit.  It means that Christianity itself and the Bible and authors who have advised us are not being taken seriously and become WMD.  Anytime the Bible, the cross, Jesus himself, the Holy Spirit, or works of Christian Literature become a basis for scapegoating, Christianity gets a bad name.  It is way past the time for Christians to stop scapegoating and start paying attention.

Jesus Christ who I believe is God came to restore to God's reign those who have been lost due to scapegoating and marginalization.  God's perfect revelation came to us in the body of a man, with the interior qualities of a female as described in Wisdom so that humankind may know God and God may reveal God's Self in a complete and total disclosure of Self.  God did this, because God wanted to call unto God's Self all who through no fault of their own have been brushed aside by political, social and economic abuses of power so that they may find their dignity in God who created and loves all of us. God loves all of us unconditionally and all-inclusively.   The gracious power of God does not stop at the doors of our race, gender, class, social status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, language, immigration status, etc.  Humankind and our misguided perceptions of Scripture, Church Tradition and bad Reasoning have created those barriers.  God's power and love transcends all human labels and political correctness.  That same power and love calls all of us, who make classifications of persons to break down those barriers and celebrate together the oneness of God's beauty and holiness with that peace that surpasses all human understanding.  Even with those that we do not entirely understand.  Even with those who make us just a little bit uncomfortable.  And that is why we need the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  If she does not continue to guide us into all truth, we will not reach the full potential that God the Holy Spirit wants for us.  The walls and isles that now divide us will only get taller and more complex for us to reach over and take the hand of those who remain stigmatized by the Church and society to welcome them into the reign of Christ who is King of kings and Lord of lords. 

And let all of God's people together say Amen!

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 29, Book of Common Prayer, page 236).

O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis, whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike. Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for C. S.Lewis, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 697).



Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

Last Sunday After Pentecost: The Reign of Christ. Gathering and Reconciling.

Here we are at the end of another Church Year.  We have been through quite a journey.  Through out this past year we have seen a Church and society that talks about being united, yet is sadly so divided.  Ideals that if only we could realize them would make this world a much better place for everyone.  As a matter of practice, we have a long way to go. 

That is why I believe that this final Sunday after Pentecost as The Reign of Christ or more traditionally known as Christ the King is an important one even in the Twenty-First Century.  It is a reminder to all of us that there is some one, some where, much more powerful and authoritative than any person big or small that has the final word.  That someone is not our President, Judge, Governor, Congress, Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, Vestry, Church board etc.  Though such people have a degree of authority (whether or not it is a good thing they have it to begin with) that impacts us in the here and now, there is still a Higher Power that is beyond them and/or even ourselves.  All hope is certainly not lost.

The God that I believe in is merciful, understanding, compassionate, inclusive, forgiving, almighty yet graceful, powerful yet gentle, and is nothing like what most Christianists, arch-conservative Catholics and extreme religious right folks make God out to be.  The Christ who is King, who's Reign we celebrate today is a shepherd who seeks to gather and reconcile all people to God's Self through God's Church and/or those who truly seek to follow God with open hearts and minds. 

The Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah 23: 1-6 is an opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) individuals to call the shepherds who continue to promote exclusion and violence towards our communities.   Yesterday, November 20th was the International Transgender Day of Remembrance at which we recall the countless violence that has cost the lives of so many transgender people world wide.  The prejudice that has resulted in cruel violence of so many transgender people over the years is the extended result of misinformation and misunderstandings of the roles of gender.  The lack of good perceptions have been promoted by preachers (ie. shepherds) who have misused the power of their pulpits.  The reading from Jeremiah is a warning to shepherds who use their authority to "scatter the sheep" of God's pasture.  Innocent youths who have heats longing to follow God with great devotion have been otherwise scandalized and stigmatized by the bias towards sexual orientation that is not heterosexual and gender identity/expression that is not single-gender minded.  True shepherds of God who want to see the Reign of Christ on earth work to unite different "sheep" together, not scatter the flock because of prejudice.  The LGBTQ communities have needed good shepherds to rise up and help gather the "scattered sheep" that is in the LGBTQ communities.

That is why I will be forever grateful to Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire who has announced his retirement as Bishop of New Hampshire effective in 2013.  He is a man of incredible integrity, courage and fortitude.   Bishop Robinson has literally stuck his neck out on behalf of LGBTQ people to be a symbol of how LGBTQ people are good, holy and as Rev. Irene Monroe so eloquently states in "For the Bible Tells Me So" that "Bishop Robinson is the embodiment of the love of God."  If Bishop Robinson can embody the love of God, any LGBTQ person can too.  Like Jesus Christ the true shepherd and King, Bishop Robinson is an example of an inviting God who seeks to help those marginalized by society and the Church to find an advocate who will help the Church find room for those who are LGBTQ.  

Other great shepherds of our time would have to include someone like Rev. Irene Monroe who helps African American, LGBTQ and people of faith find room to become more inclusive of each other.   Dr. Rev. Mel White who started Soul Force.  Wayne Besen founder of Truth Wins Out.  Brent Childers and Steve Hilderbrand of Faith in America.  Mary Lou Wallner founder of TEACH Ministries.   PFLAG is full of shepherds who step out to better understand and help others to make room in society by making room in families for LGBTQ people.  Daniel Karslake who produced For the Bible Tells Me So and the entire cast of individuals who stepped forward to tell their stories.  As of late Jamie Nabozny who stepped out and sued his school district and then through the efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center produced Bullied to bring hope to any student who is experiencing harassment for any reason.   Rev. Susan Russell who reaches out to LGBTQ individuals nation wide through her blog word and as Associate Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California.  Suffragan Bishop Mary Glasspool and now the Very Rev. Jane Allison Shaw a the Eighth Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, California.    These and many more individuals that I cannot name are examples of shepherds who have been working to gather and bring reconciliation between Jesus Christ and LGBTQ people.  Such individuals and others like them help LGBTQ people to discover what Psalm 46 reads: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

The Reign of Christ is not just to take place at the end of time.  The Reign of Christ as King happens when we become advocates and voices for justice and equality for all people.  This past year we have been witnessing terrible hate rhetoric not just aimed at LGBTQ people, but also immigrants, people of different races, religions, abilities etc.  Jesus Christ who "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him" (Colossians 1: 15-16 NRSV).  When we speak up in the Name of Christ on behalf of those marginalized by society and the Church, the Reign of Christ not only becomes better known, but receives a better Name and the Church truly becomes Christ's witnesses among all peoples.  When we allow the Holy Spirit to rip open our Pandoras Boxes and we learn to accept others who are different than ourselves and make room for them in our hearts, lives and homes, the Reign of God on earth becomes real and life-giving.  All baptized Christians have that potential.  All people of good will whether they be Christians or not, also have that potential. 

In the Gospel that is part of today's Liturgy Luke: 23:33-43 for the celebration of the Reign of Christ we see that even Jesus while hanging from the cross, takes the opportunity to welcome a sincere soul searching individual into his reign.  The throne from which Jesus Christ rules is the cross from which he imparts not God's judgment, but God's everlasting love, forgiveness and mercy for any and every individual seeking friendship with God.  It doesn't matter what it is that we may have done that has offended God or anyone else for that matter. When we come to Jesus at the throne of the cross, Jesus looks upon all of us as friends of God and imparts the unconditional and all inclusive grace and mercy of God.  As we experience God's mercy and love, so we must be able to share that same mercy and love with one another.  The more we remove the barriers of sexual and gender diversity so that such individuals can approach the throne of Christ at the cross, the more others will see how LGBTQ people are holy, good, merciful and able to help establish the Reign of Christ on earth, in society and the Church. 

As we close out this Church Year may we reflect on the goodness and graciousness of God in Christ.  As we prepare to begin a new Church Year with next Sunday as the First Sunday of Advent, let us consider carefully the lessons and messages we have heard through out this past year.   God is not a vengeful, angry, unjust or heartless God.  God is so madly in love with all humankind that God reveals God's Self in so many varied ways.  It is possible for any person to have whatever relationship with God that they find that works for them.  It is not up to us or any person to cast a judgment on any person's walk of faith.  It is also not our place as Christians to create walls and barriers where even God has not placed them.  May the new Church Year be one where we help many people learn just how wonderful the holy love of God is, because we took the time and made the effort to love others out of thanksgiving for how deeply God has loved each of us.  And may all people of good will of any sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, faith walk, gender etc say Amen together.  AMEN!

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 29 for the Reign of Christ, Book of Common Prayer, page 236).

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).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, page 822).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, page 833). 

Regular Blog Posts Returning Sunday, November 21, 2010

I have been taking some much needed down time from writing blog posts over the past couple days.  My regular posts will resume on Sunday, November 21, 2010 with the Reign of Christ.

God bless and let's pray for one another.

A Reminder of Our Inaugural Address

Luke 4: 16-21 (NRSV)

When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ²⁰And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

So how is the Church doing with the words of Jesus' inauguration address?  This Gospel reading is often used at Confirmations, Receptions of New Members and the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.   It is chosen for those services as a reminder to the candidates and those who are witnessing at this Liturgy that to be a Christian is to see our role in the ministry of Christ and the Church as beginning with this inaugural address in Luke's Gospel. 

Our problem with this Gospel reading is that it challenges our comfort zones.  All of us really enjoy the coziness of our Pandoras Boxes.  When we only surround ourselves with those who make us comfortable then we do not have to step outside of what is familiar and face our insecurities.  As the Church struggles with how to be more inclusive of women, LGBTQ, people of other races, cultures, abilities, religions, languages and abilities etc, all of us struggle with our "need"  to make policies to keep those who make us uncomfortable from participating in the ministry of the Church.  At the heart of Parish and sometimes Diocesan wide policy is a lame ass excuse for prejudice and scapegoating.  

Yesterday we in the Twin Cities Metro area heard the news of the local Catholic Archdiocese telling a local Catholic School to ban pro-gay editorials from their school newspaper.  One of the editorials claimed that the information in the Archbishop's DVD against marriage equality was "unsubstantiated."  The other was an opinion piece entitled: "The Life of a Gay Teenager".   Michael Bayle in his blog post "The Wild Reed" quotes Nick Coleman:

But the saddest part 0f this situation is that school officials also censored a personal op-ed called “Life as a Gay Teenager” written by a BSM student who recently came out as gay — all the while giving lip service, so to speak, to Catholic doctrine that says “Men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”

Yeah, respect and compassion! Except for that kid in the corner who tried to write a personal essay about his own struggle with suicidal thoughts in the on-going effort to be honest about his identity in a hostile environment of rejection and repression (here’s a link to the censored op-ed). Un-effing believable. The church continues to shoot itself in the foot. But it’s the kids who end up wounded.

I would add that the saddest part of this is how an Archbishop claims to represent Jesus Christ makes use of his authority to place LGBT people into the captivity and oppression of spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse.  As such the witness to the goodness and mercy of God is lost, because of one individual who just cannot let go of his own prejudices so that others can experience the freedom that comes with being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Instead of using his office to bring justice and inclusion, Archbishop Nienstedt imposes shame, exclusion and fear.  What truth might we refer to from the Bible to help us understand why this is such an injustice?

1 John 4: 18-21 (NRSV)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. ¹⁹We love^* because he first loved us. ²⁰Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters,^* are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister^* whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters^* also. 

We commemorate today Margaret, Queen of Scotland. James Kiefer writes:

Margaret (born c. 1045) was the grand-daughter of Edmmund Ironside, King of the English, but was probably born in exile in Hungary, and brought to England in 1057. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, she sought refuge in Scotland, where about 1070 she married the King, Malcolm III. She and her husband rebuilt the monastery of Iona and founded the Benedictine Abbey at Dunfermline. Margaret undertook to impose on the Scottish the ecclesiastical customs she had been accustomed to in England, customs that were also prevalent in France and Italy. But Margaret was not concerned only with ceremonial considerations. She encouraged the founding of schools, hospitals, and orphanages. She argued in favor of the practice of receiving the Holy Communion frequently. She was less successful in preventing feuding among Highland Clans, and when her husband was treacherously killed in 1093, she herself died a few days later (of grief, it is said).

I am impressed with the work of Margaret of Scotland, though we can see that she like all of the Saints we commemorate, she struggled with her own humanity.  So all of us in the Church regardless of what walk of life we come from or are going to, must acknowledge that we need God and the help of others to live holy lives.  Likewise if we want to be reaching for holiness, we need to be willing to lend a helping hand to those who live in captivity and oppression.

How can we fulfill the call of Christ's inaugural address in spite of all that is imperfect about us?  How might we be missionaries to bring about justice and equality for those who are still second class citizens in the Church and society?  How can LGBT people help bring about freedom for the many captive young people who are oppressed by religious systems that continue to silence them when they tell their stories? 

Each one of us has been called to God's Holy Spirit to bring freedom from captivity and oppression, to give sight to those who cannot see the injustice of their attitudes and behaviors.  We will face opposition from those who want to silence the messengers.   Just because we speak a message people do not care to hear, does not mean we should stop speaking and acting.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, page 236).


O God, who called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne That she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your church and love for your prople: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate her this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Margaret, Queen of Scotland.  Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 683).

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)

Anyone looking to purchase the books mentioned in this blog can also order them from the Cathedral Book Shop of St.Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Email Susan at Bookshop@ourcathedral.org. 

Christianity Really Is About Inclusion, Love and Justice

James 2:14-26 (NRSV)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe - and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

Over this past year two groups have been started on Facebook.  One group is called: Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented.  The other is called: The Christian Left.  There is also a group called the Progressive Christian Alliance.  All three of these groups have something in common.  We are really fed up with all Christians assumed to be like the Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics with their hate rhetoric towards women, LGBT, immigrants and so on.  It is our conviction that the real meaning behind Jesus Christ is not a message that excludes people.  Rather, the Gospel is about inclusion, love and justice for all people.

This reading from James makes an unmistakable reference to the relationship between the Christian Faith and the works of justice, inclusion and love.   We can claim our belief in all of the creeds and prayers found in the Book of Common Prayer as much as we want.  Yet if our faith does not include working to love our neighbor as ourselves, to work for the justice and inclusion of those marginalized by society and the Church,  our faith becomes worthless.  The Gospel becomes another legendary story book.  The Sacraments are a big party, but mean very little.  

On the other hand, when our faith lives in our work for love, justice and inclusion the Gospel becomes a live through us.  Our faith figuratively speaking grows legs with a heart and body with the ability to bring healing and reconciliation.  When our hearts are broken by Arizona's immigration law and Christians along with all people of good will rise and call attention to the fact that all American's are really immigrants on the land of Native Americans, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is living and acting on the principles of the love of God and neighbor.  When we call our United States Senate this week and ask them to pass the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the DREAM Act, and the extension of unemployment benefits during the lame duck session of Congress, the call of the Bible for love, inclusion and justice is a story that is still being written into the hearts of Americans today.  

One of the most powerful music video's still available is the Judd's Music Video-Love Can Build a Bridge.  I am including it as part of my blog today.

As Christians and people of Faith in a so called "free society" I think we need to ask ourselves some important questions.  How free of a people can we really be when individuals are made captives to a political and religious system that excludes loving people who are different than ourselves?  What lessons are children being taught by a Church and society that remains silent or is counterproductive to equal justice for immigrants, LGBT, Native Americans, women, African Americans, Muslims and other religions, languages, abilities etc?   How can Christians be examples of love, inclusion and justice for all people who still live on the margins of society and the Church?

As the conversation at the end of the Judds music video and the late Harvey Milk suggested there is always hope, when people of good will rise to give all people some kind of hope.   The Bible is full of texts that talk about the need for hope.  Without hope we cannot move forward with a sense of confidence.   In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians have been given hope that the work, love and justice we do in this life will be rewarded in the life to come.  What in the world are we waiting for?

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, page 236).

Eternal God, you blessed your servant Samuel Seabury with the gift of perseverance to renew the Anglican inheritance in North America: Grant that, joined together in unity with our bishops and nourished by your holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Samuel Seabury first Bishop in the United States, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 679).

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).