Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost: Keep Going. All Is Not Finished Yet.

I really like the opening paragraph for Out in Scripture for today's readings.

Today’s biblical texts testify to God’s investment in creating a new world.  We also see in these passages human beings who keep on struggling and enduring with God’s persistent promise and relentless presence.  These passages cause us to long for — and call us to work for — a future that is almost beyond our imagination.  We must look up and keep on working.  It is not over until it is over; the end is not yet here.

The readings for this weekend up through the First Sunday of Advent talk about the second coming of Christ also called in Greek as the Parousia 

Luke 21:5-19 (NRSV)

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

The event that Jesus is speaking of in this Gospel actually occurred when Pontius Pilate leveled the Temple and Jerusalem.  It was further made true by the persecution of Christians through out the Roman Empire until Constantine the Great made Christianity the official religion in the Year 321.  A political move to get Pagan practices out of the Empire.  Little did he realize that all that would happen would be the Christianization of many Pagan rituals and celebrations.  The seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany are three such examples.   


What this Gospel along with the options between Isaiah 65: 17-25, Micah 4: 1-2a and the reading from 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13 are pointing us to is a new world of justice.  The reading from Isaiah 65 begins with the words: "For I am about to create a new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind."  God is looking to do new things by which God will make God's people a blessing to others.  That is a pretty big contrast to Jesus' claim that: "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." (Luke 16: 7-19).


Out in Scripture makes some interesting points about the reading from 2 Thessalonians and the Gospel.

While 2 Thessalonians 3:6 talks about the need to live according to tradition, Luke 21:5-6 talks about how an edifice or an institution will be toppled, thrown down or thrown away.  One must be careful to not promote any kind of anti-Jewish implications given the long history of such within Christian traditions and practices.  What these passages do point to is the possibility for change, whether it is a tradition, an edifice or an institution.  Many LGBT persons have suffered from problematic traditions (including Christian ones) and have witnessed changes that are close to being catastrophic (like various forms of backlash against LGBT campaign for equal rights).  The good news is even religious institutions and traditions are subject to critique and transformation, and we can participate in — and be witnesses to — positive as well as negative changes.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are often rightfully accused of trying to change established traditions within Christianity and many cultures.   Has there been a need for change?  Absolutely!  A big problem within Christian Tradition is the literal interpretation of the Bible which has been used to build up traditions that were not suppose to be there to begin with.  The religious based bigotry towards LGBTQ people is one of those traditions that have been misplaced, along with the subjugation of women, African Americans and many groups of people.   Paul who's authorship is said to be for the letters to the Thessalonians has contributed to much of the misunderstandings within Christianity in regards to race issues, women and LGBTQ.   Some careful of a book such as Gay Unions: In Light of Scripture, Tradition and Reason by Gray Temple will expose how many of those clobber passages (Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley, The Children Are Free) do not condemn homosexuality as many suggest.  Other tragic errors have happened with regard to women, immigrants, Native American Indians and so forth.    Such mistakes in Christian history suggest that the Church has been failing in the mission Christ gave us in our Gospel to share the Good News of God's love.


Out in Scripture reminds us of what is most important in Paul's words.  

Not only does 2 Thessalonians 3:13 correctly advises us to “not be weary in doing what is right,” what goes before that verse also suggests that peace and justice always involve “toiling and laboring” with others rather than living apart from or lording over others.  Rather than reading this passage as advocating a capitalist-oriented, “no work, no pay” Protestant ethic, perhaps we should bluntly and honestly interpret the passage – suggesting the importance of going beyond empathy for others to actually identifying with others.

Earlier the commentators remark

It is also important to remember that the changes that Isaiah envisioned were in the terrible context of when God’s people were scattered in exile.  It gets even more challenging when we see that by the time of Luke — that is, several hundred years after Isaiah — the vision is still far out in the future.  In fact, Luke’s Jesus is clear that the toppling of a religious edifice does not only not imply the arrival of lasting change, but it may lead to more conflicts and greater catastrophes (Luke 21:9-17).  The promises of positive change, like those given by Isaiah, are to be trusted in and worked for, but their realization may take a long time or occur only across generations.  Faith involves not only a vision, but also patience and endurance.  As difficult as it may be to hear, the reign of God will not come with the failure of a federal marriage amendment or even the legalization of marriage equality.

Part of this has to do with, no doubt, the resilience of oppressive structures.  Notice, for example, that Isaiah’s vision still has the serpent eating dust (Isaiah 65:25).  Talk about ruining a perfect picture!  What this may point to is the importance of shifting alliances, or the need to get beyond single-issue politics.  Justice will come only in partnership with justice for others. 

As shown in Isaiah’s example of the lion eating straw like the ox and his warning against exploitation, LGBT people also need to be challenged to be in solidarity with — to name just a few — immigrant workers, prisoners and refugees around the world, even or especially if they are not LGBT in orientation or practice.  Justice and peace will not come if LGBT people do not see problems with or do anything against gentrifying impoverished neighborhoods or preying on poor nations. 

The work of establishing a new world order of how justice and equality is as much in the hands of LGBT people as anyone else.   There is no doubt that the recent elections were discouraging.  The lack of urgent action by President Obama to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, DOMA and pass the inclusive ENDA and UAFA have been very difficult for our communities.  These defeats and delayed actions should not discourage us to the point of giving up our work for equal justice.   Our work for equal justice however, should not stop with just our LGBT communities.  We should be as equally committed to justice for people of different races, religions, social statuses and so forth.  Arizona's horrible immigration law should be as much of a concern for all of us as is the passage of the Uniting American Families Act.   Health care reform, Citizens United's wickedness allowing for the corporate take over of our Government, are also matters of equal justice that affects LGBT and all people.  We may not be able to solve every problem, but when injustice rears it's ugly heads, LGBT individuals need to be concerned and our voices for justice need to be heard.  In so doing we are about the business of tearing apart traditions that are not good for the Church or society.   Through which room for equal rights will be made.

The over all message for today is that God is doing good work among us in spite of our difficulties.  God needs each of us to be involved and active in the work for justice and equality so that the reign of God on earth can happen.  If we will pray each day for the guidance and strength, God will direct us to places and ways where we can be the voice of reason, faith and peace for all who are seeking justice and equality.

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).

God of harmony and diversity,
        God who created the wolf and the lamb, the lion and the ox,
        help us to take a long view toward the change you have promised.
    Let us not be so intent on seeing the transformation of the lions
        that threaten our lives and haunt our experience
        that we fail to notice those who might be pinned
        under our claws, those who also cry out for delivery and safety.
    Amen.  (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).