Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany: Who is Telling Who Not to Worry?

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 6:24-34 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.


"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Blog Reflection

How about we do an experiment together?

Read this Gospel to a group of your best friends who invite you to a dinner party.  Don't read it until after everyone at the dinner table is well fed and has enjoyed every bite.  What might you hear them say?

I bet you will hear something similar to this.  "Yeah, God provided a great meal."  You might also hear: "God didn't do anything, the cook just put together a fabulous dinner."  "All of those great farmers and companies where we bought the food, did such a great job."

In other words, they had all they needed.  It didn't matter who it came from.  They have been fed.  They are satisfied.  Most likely, they and you will be satisfied again tomorrow.

Now read this Gospel in a place like Wisconsin with the union protesters who's livelihoods hang in the balance of the political tug of war for power.

Read this Gospel to the many LGBT women and men in Uganda fearing what could happen to them if someone finds out about their sexuality.  The Ugandan LGBT people who live in fear of the day that the anti-homosexuality bill should pass and it becomes the law.  How might those individuals react to hearing this Gospel about not worrying about tomorrow?

Read this Gospel to a man who lives with HIV/AIDS about not worrying about tomorrow, when his State Republican Majority votes and passes a bill that will reduce funding for him to receive medical treatment for his condition.  

Read this Gospel about not worrying about tomorrow to a woman who is carrying a child that she does not know how she will take care.  She has just sat in the church and heard some preacher use the end of today's Hebrew Scripture reading that says: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you."  The Priest may have just used these words to condemn abortion. Such works are known to make a pregnant, unwed, unemployed, poor mother feel so terribly guilty should she decide not to carry that child to term, because she cannot adequately care for herself, let alone a child that will depend on her for everything.  Tell this woman, what Jesus said: "Do not worry about tomorrow."

It is easy to hear the words: "Do not worry about tomorrow" or even be grateful that God has said: "Even if these forget you, I will not forget you" when we have our homes, jobs, health, sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity that no one is out to destroy, wealth, safety etc.  But, to those who do not have so many choices on any number of those things, tell them not to worry, or God will not forget them, and they just might answer: "God forgot about me a long time ago.  So, I have forgotten about God."

What might be the reason?

Someone in a church carelessly told them not to worry, everything will be all right, and then they walked out and were mugged.  They lost the only money they had to buy milk for their child for a week.   When they went to a local food bank, they were grilled and questioned.  Made to feel like a fool for having gone there in the first place.  Told the food banks rules that only added more grief and distress to their already troubled situation. 

What is happening in Wisconsin and all over the world, including Libya is a struggle for total power vs shared power.  What is happening as some State Governments around the US are attempting to strip union workers of their bargaining rights is about whether corporate power, which already has total power through their donations to politics, gets even more.  It is an attempt to usurp shared power into becoming total power.  It is about who will own and keep that power, because they are so wealthy, and powerful, they just cannot get enough.

As the National Organization for Marriage and other organizations against marriage equality, work against the rights of LGBT people to marry the person they love in various states, what is really going on? 

The privilege of heterosexuals to own the power to determine who and what makes a family a family, to suddenly become shared power, that recognizes they are not the only ones who get to decide.

This Gospel today speaks both to those of us who have more than enough, but want more, and to those of us who barely have enough of what we need to survive in life, but can only trust in God to gain it. 

In the exceptionally terrific movie Latter Days, Aaron the Mormon Missionary who struggles with his sexuality, his church and his family, says "I think we are all dots.  I think we are all connected." 

God sees all of us as God's children whom God has "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139: 14).  Whether we are rich or poor, lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer, black, red, gold or white, healthy or impaired.  God sees us as all individually different people, who are uniquely connected to each other.  That is why we need help from each other to achieve a sense of well being.  We need each other in whatever situation we are in.  Everyone matters.  No one is without value, dignity, integrity.  Therefore no one should be without the dignity and respect that belongs to them.

In this Gospel, Jesus is dismissing an age old ideal.  The ideal that if you are rich and healthy God is happy with you.  But, if you are poor, sick, or someone marginalized by a church or society as a whole, God is punishing you for something you did wrong.  Jesus is slamming that notion to pieces. 

Organizations like the American Family Association like to suggest that if there is an earthquake in California, it will be because of Judge Walker's decision last July to declare Prop 8 unconstitutional. 

Other organizations suggested that the reason Hurricane Katrina happened in 2005 and the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last Spring is because New Orleans is the location of Southern Decadence.

These repulsive comments are also theological nonsense.  In Today's Gospel, Jesus says as much. 

What is our challenge from this Gospel?

We are challenged to understand that if we are so blessed to have been given an abundance, it did not come from no one or no where.  God does have something to do with all that we enjoy.  We have been given those wonderful opportunities to not only refresh and enjoy ourselves, but to share some of that with those who are not so fortunate.   God has blessed us with much, to share much.

We are also challenged to understand that if we are not so endowed with wealth and an easy time working and earning, or even having our equal rights, God has not abandoned us.  What we need will come from God.  What we have, even if it is only the grace to just hang on for now and do the best we can, that is God's gift to us at that moment, and there is so much more to come.   The best is up ahead, we just cannot see it at this moment.  

In the awesome television show Touched by An Angel, Monica would tell everyone she worked with: "God loves you, and wants you to trust God." 

God does love each and every one of us.  Totally, deeply and completely.  As a Parent loves their child.  God desires everything and anything good for us.  Even in those moments when it looks and appears like what is good and most needed, just seems impossible. 

When we have been blessed to obtain that which we thought was once impossible, we show our thanks to God by becoming God's missionaries of compassion and understanding and share with others.  To speak up for those marginalized.  To encourage closeted youth to come out of their closet and show God and the world around them, that being LGBT is wonderful.   To encourage those wishing for marriage equality, to do more than just talk about it.  To actually get active with organizations and individuals and play a decisive, difficult, but fulfilling role towards equality, justice and inclusion for LGBT people, and all marginalized persons.

The rallies in Egypt, Wisconsin and all over the world have been extraordinary.  They have accomplished something that has not been done in a very long time.  The rallies have brought all kinds of different people, with all their quirks and quarrels out in the open to work peacefully towards some kind of resolution.   The people who have responded to the Union workers in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and all over, has brought LGBT groups, unions, women's organizations, environmentalists and more, all out to fight the good fight for those who's very livelihoods and futures hang in the balance together in support of each other.  Organizations with members that usually oppose something in the other, have put it all aside and have come out to stand in solidarity with each other. 

If we could only understand that we are all "dots connected" and reach out to each other all the time, there would be no racisim, sexism, heterosexism, etc.  There would be no organizations fighting for marriage equality while others fight for discrimination.  We would recognize in each person their dignity.  We would not deny each other anything, what so ever.

Prayers

Most loving God, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Book of Common Prayer, page 216),

Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.(Prayer for Towns and Rural Areas, Book of Common Prayer, page 825).

Look with pity, O Holy One, 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

Loving Our God Who Is In Our Neighbor

Scriptural Basis


2 Corinthians 4:1-12 (NRSV)

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 

Blog Reflection

There are many things I do not like about The Message Bible.  It really lacks inclusive language at times, and it is quite anti-semitic.  

So to any of my Jewish sisters and brothers, I ask your pardon today.  I in no way condone anti-semitism.

Sometimes the way The Message Bible reads certain things in particular ways is very helpful for our reflection.  Today is just such an occasion.


^{Again consider 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12 The Message Bible.}

^1-2Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
 ^3-4If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.
 ^5-6Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
 ^7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! 

I think there is a lot in this reading that speaks to what is going on in the world right now.   The union protests all over the country.  The horrible violence in Lybia.  President Obama's decision to tell his DOJ not to challenge DOMA in court.  And, the reactions, stances and statements made by the pro's and con's of these and other issues of our time.

There are many good things happening as a result of the events that are taking place.  Among them is what The Message Bible says: "We refuse to wear masks and play games."   The masks of who will most benefit from union workers loosing their bargaining rights have come off.  It is very clear that corporate interests are at work and are determined to destroy the middle class.  They claim to not be about playing games, but oh how they love to deceive people ignorant about the facts, so that they do not fully understand what is at stake. 

News commentators like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh's audiences continue to use these and other events like it, to further damage the reputation of President Obama, LGBT people and middle class Americans just trying to make a decent living so they can stay in their homes, have health insurance, put their children through school.   Governor's like Chris Christy, Scott Walker, and many others clearly have a plan.  That plan is not to benefit those on the margins of society. 

I also think that this scripture speaks quite eloquently to Christians who would prefer to turn their backs on these working class people and make a defense for conservatives, just because "the think they know their Bible."  

Lest I forget, this reading from 2 Corinthians is also a reminder to LGBT people about the importance of not wearing masks over our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. But to live it openly before God, others and ourselves.

Ex-gay groups are spiritually abusive and use religion to abuse LGBT individuals, by suggesting that unless they change something that God so beautifully created, God will damn them.  Nothing could be further from the truth than the nonsense contained in that lie.

This reading invites us to be very careful about who we make as an "other" when we read: "If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention."   Unfortunately, a lot of Christians like Paul enjoy looking at others who are not sharing their opinions and making an "other" out of them.  If someone does not understand the Bible as a literal "Weapon of Mass Destruction" and thinks that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer is a good and holy thing, then we are the liberal "other" that must be defeated.

Our reading is a reminder as to whom has given the gift of salvation and to whom and for whom we must be engaged in the work of reconciliation and healing.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort once said: "I will love my God who lives in my neighbor."  

I think Paul is giving us a view into his weakness, and giving us some very important issues to think on here.  

We often think that our work of justice and equality for all marginalized persons is only about those people. 

Sure it is about trying to get marriage equality.   It is about the union workers keeping their collective bargaining rights that they worked so hard to gain.   There have been some outrageous laws passed recently about women's health care and reproductive rights.  The people on the bottom and struggling just to live a quality life are definitely important pieces in what we are working on and for.  

The most important reason we are engaged in our works for justice, inclusion and equality is because we are serving and loving our God, who is in our neighbors.   God is present in our neighbors who are LGBT and wanting the opportunity to marry the person that they love so much.  God is right there fighting for the opportunity to bargain for better wages and benefits in our neighbors who are being so grossly abused by politicians and corporate bullies.   God is looking to be loved in our neighbor in the woman who is desperately poor, but has been raped and does not know what to do for the child in her womb, but cannot find adequate affordable health care to make the right decision for herself and the little one she carries.  

In Jesus Christ, our God has shed God's Light of justice for every child of God.  No child of God is so unimportant to God, that God wants to be ignored by those who would rather use the Bible to bash and walk by without caring.   God does not wish to be targeted by street evangelists looking to "save us" only to turn us into right wing watch dogs, so to hate LGBT people and others who are not exactly like them.  

The Word of God that was in Christ came to show the Light of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love on all who have been stigmatized and supposed to be seen as worthless.  In God's eyes, no child lying on the street in the bitter cold because a gay teens parents threw him out when he came out, is just street trash.   No girl who has just been told to get out by her "pro-life" father because she is now pregnant and doesn't know what to do, or where to go, is so unimportant to God, that she should just be called a whore and brushed aside.  

When Christians marginalize and stigmatize people, create environments of oppression and hate towards any person, we Christians are becoming that "other" that Paul describes.   We preach our Jesus who is suppose to save people's souls. But oh, "Don't tell me I gotta accept an LGBT person."

I could list many other individuals stigmatized by Christians.  But, I think my readers will get the picture.

How is God calling us to participate in the ministry of reconciliation and healing today?  When we think of those things that move us to concern for people, what is it that we hear God telling us about ourselves?  How do we harbor prejudice towards other people who don't fit our status quo of what we think the Bible means?  How might God be calling us to conversion of heart?

We have an opportunity to join those struggling for peace and solidarity by our prayers, actions, concerns and even our opposing opinions.  The important thing is to remember to "love our God who lives in my neighbor."   How are we loving our God who lives in our neighbor?   Even when it is so difficult to not only love our God in our neighbor, but also in ourselves.

Prayers

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 216).

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

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

Seventh Sunday after The Epiphany: Without Love Whatever We Do is Meaningless

This Sunday's Gospel is one of those that I have a lot of trouble with.  I have more trouble with not the Gospel itself as much as I do with most of the preachers who preach about it.  It seems to me that so often the folks who preach about forgiving those who have hurt us, often come from white, wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, Christian, English speaking men.  The Gospel that I am about to present for this Sunday, is very difficult for me to do.  But, with in it is some things for all of us to consider.  Especially those of us who are working towards justice, equality and inclusion of all marginalized person's including LGBTQ people in the Church and society.

 Scriptural Basis

Matthew 5:38-48 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Once again, this is not a Gospel text that I enjoy reading.  I never have.  This is one of those Gospels that is so often used by people promoting religious and spiritual abuse.  I am very sorry to say, that is exactly what happened during the Sermon at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral this morning.   It was preached by a white, English speaking, heterosexual, wealthy and healthy male.  There were comments made about what a great thing it is that both the tea party and the unions had showed up in protest in Madison, Wisconsin.  There was a comment that the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's was so that white people could take their proper place in society.  This in and of itself suggests racism and white supremacy, from the pulpit.  This is not a good use of pastoral and religious privilege.  What was said, was very dangerous.  It in fact, helps to insight violence and prejudice and appears to egg it on, when what we really need to do is promote peace, justice, inclusion and equality.  This is what happens when sermons and messages are badly framed and delivered.

Yet, I want to be very clear.  I still love St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.  I still love the preacher who delivered it.  I sincerely cannot condone what was said, and how it was said.  When I attempt to confront the individual with the understanding of how critically dangerous his religious and spiritual abuse is, he may very well disagree.  He probably won't apologize.  He will defend what he said.  But do I still love him and appreciate who he is?  Yes I do.

What he said that was true, is that this gospel is about our human relationships.  It is about the love of God for each and every one of us.  And yes, it is about the love of God for those, yes, even those with whom we are debating and disagreeing with.  It is about loving those who hate people of different races, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions, economic status, health status, immigration status and so on and so forth.  While it may be about loving them, as angry as their actions make us, and as unjust as what they do to us, it is so not about condoning what they do.  It is so not about letting them off the hook.  It is so not about us doing everything we can do to make it right.  That is where the preacher this morning, got it wrong.

The rise of the unions in Madison, WI and all over the country is about politics.  But it is about so much more. This effort in Madison, WI is about the further marginalization of the middle-class at the hands of wealthy corporate America.   It is about the suppression of the diversity of ideas, and how those ideas are expressed. It is about recognizing that every person who goes to work in this country is a person of dignity, and that their dignity should be upheld and respected.  Those individuals who work day in and day out to sweep our streets, teach the children, police our neighborhoods, put out the fires, take us to the hospitals, nurse our wounds, receive visitors at public offices, they are individual people with dreams and hopes.  They are the suffering heart of our country and our Church.  Within those workers are women and men.  Represented among all those union workers are individuals who are lesbian, gay, straight, a sexual, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.   Some where in those rallying crowds there are illegal immigrants and people of a vast diversity of races, cultures, religions.   In those unions there are individuals who cannot speak the English language.  Yet, among those people are real people.  Rich and poor a like.  And yes, liberal/progressive, independent and conservative.

It is quite the theological matter to ask those being marginalized by their own Governor to "forgive" and "be perfect" while their futures hang in the balance of what is happening.

It is unthinkable for Jesus to be asking those of us who are LGBTQ to offer the other cheek when the conservative Christianists are slapping us around every single day, with their hate rhetoric.  Their anti-gay politics are constantly eating away at the very core of who we are.  They are determined to annihilate us, until we no longer exist.

If you find it difficult to forgive these people, you are not alone.

If you find yourself unable to just let them slap us around and not respond, you are not alone.

In the past, I have said that there is a huge difference between forgiveness and trust.  I still believe that to be the case.   

The place where most preachers pastorally, spiritually and religiously abuse minorities, is they assume that they are addressing a grudge that keeps people from forgiving, when in fact it is not a forgiveness issue.  It is a trust issue.  When some preachers go full steam ahead to address what they perceive is an issue of forgiveness, they do more damage to a soul already wounded. 

It is absolutely proper to not trust a preacher, teacher, police officer, judge, vandal etc.  It is a wise thing to not admit them into your home so they can further use their authority to ruin your life. 

What is not a good and noble thing to do is place them and their hateful behavior, words, or attitudes and our feelings and emotions about them between our relationship with God, others or ourselves.   That is where many of us need the healing and mercy of God.  Help with healing those wounds of hurt and psychological hate (not moral hate, there is a difference) can come from our Mother, the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit can help us to dig down and deal with that hurt and resentment.  Not run from it.  Not pretend that it is not there.  What hurts us deeply is as much a part of who we are, as who we are and who we love.  If we are going to be free of it. We have to face it with the Holy Spirit, deal with it as it is, experience all the emotions that are there and finally move on, and live our lives as free people.

One more thing that I must comment on that was said by the preacher this morning: "There is a lot of energy in resentment."  That is true.  However, I think it is way past time for preachers, especially those who make such statements as poorly as that last one, learn to become people who do not make use of their pastoral or religious authority to become the energy source for that resentment.  The pulpit needs to become a permanent place where the justice, integrity, inclusion and equality of all marginalized persons are defended, upheld and promoted.    When preachers and bishops use their pastoral privilege to misuse and abuse others, they become vehicles for new wounds and new resentment that in some cases may never heal. 

Yes, this Gospel is about loving others.   But it is as much about confronting our enemies in love, as it is with dealing with our own personal insecurities about ourselves and others.  It is about recognizing God's unconditional and all-inclusive love. It is also about the fact that unless within our forgiveness is that love that seeks the common good of even the person with whom we are at enmity with, what we do and do not do is meaningless.  The kind of love I am speaking of is not the kind by which we must totally fall in love with that person.  The love I am speaking of is the kind that we seek their common good, and do not desire for them the most evil of actions.   Even when we think the girl or guy who ruined our lives is a complete butt head.  It is okay to disagree.  It is our place to tell them, that what they did was wrong.  But it is also our place to take care of ourselves, by not placing ourselves in the path of that person so that they can further hurt and harm us. 

Let us also realize that knowing and doing what we must do, is not something that we can do without God's help.  We need God the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with her power and grace.  We need to pray for trust in Jesus to know and act as we should.  To be forgiven for when we have done wrong.  But also to pray for the grace to forgive them, and to seek God's will in their lives as well as ours.

Prayers

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 216).


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

Peaceful Protesters and Reformers are Good for the Church and Society

Scriptural Basis

John 15:1-11 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

Blog Reflection about Peaceful Protesters and Reformers

I think this commemoration falls this year on a terrific day.  The energy and passion that are pouring into the streets of Madison, Wisconsin to call for justice are incredible.  The numbers of students, teachers, firefighters, police officers, EMT's, nurses, public workers of all kinds have come out in huge numbers to protest Gov. Walker's plan to eliminate the funding and opportunity for workers to collectively bargain for living wages, health care and retirement benefits.   I cannot adequately write about how this entire thing has me so pumped today. 

What is even more exciting is how many people from all over the country are joining with the protesters in Wisconsin to show support and solidarity for working class Americans.

 Icons such as this one for solidarity with a fist showing over Wisconsin are not at all a sign of violence.  It is a sign that we all stand in solidarity together with those who are working to be able to feed their families, educate their children, support public health care workers, emergency and protection workers and the like.  

This is a peaceful protest and a reformation that is taking place.  Not much unlike what Martin Luther began when he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg on the Eve of All Saints Day on October 31, 1517.

Martin Luther was calling the Church to take a look at it's abusive behaviors.  Luther challenged the Church and it's disconnection from what the Gospel was calling the Church to.  The leaders of the Church were misbehaving and misleading people.  Those who claimed to be representing truth, were using it to abuse the faith and lives of people who trusted in the Church to guide them into a deep awareness of how much God loves them.

This story is one that has been played over and over again throughout the history of the Christian Church.  God raises up women and men to be peaceful protesters and reformers.  The Holy Spirit inspires the hearts and consciences of individuals of every race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, economic status, health status, culture, gender, language, immigration status and the like to challenge those who have often grown so stubborn in their intellects and wills.   Peaceful protesters and reformers from every corner of the globe move those who think they have it all together, to understand what Minnesota Sen.Paul Wellstone said.  "We all do better, when we all do better."

When we begin to understand that we must open the doors of our churches, homes, schools, cities, towns, municipalities, work places, countries etc to those who are marginalized and stigmatized, everyone is beginning to do better.  

When we allow ourselves to live with prejudice and ignorance of others who are different from ourselves, our whole society and Church is suffering with an illness that must receive treatment.

Our society and the Church are not doing better when our GOP US House of Representatives votes to take away health care from women, and then takes away funding for abortion services. 

Society and the Church are not doing better when South Dakota presents a bill to make it legal to murder doctors who perform abortions.

Society and the Church are not doing better when Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the "papers please" law for immigrants in Arizona.  

Society and the Church are not getting better when Gov. Jan Brewer signs a bill into law taking away Medicaid money from individuals in need of organ transplants.

Society and the Church are not doing better when Arizona is now considering an additional law that would require hospitals to check immigration status of patients who go through their emergency rooms.

Society and the Church are not doing better when Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin who is funded by the big dollars of the Koch Brothers, squanders Wisconsin's budget surplus and then proposes emergency legislation to take away the bargaining rights of public workers.

Society and the Church are not better off with Tea Party folks pushing racism and violence.

Society and the Church are not doing better when LGBTQ people are denied justice, inclusion and equality by individuals who use religion to abuse people who are different than themselves.

What Martin Luther realized and what we must know today is that society and the Church can be reformed when peaceful protesters act on behalf of the stigmatized. 

Reform and change are never easy.  They require us to get out of our comfortable and cozy couches and turn off the remote control.  Reform and change calls us to step outside of being liked and admired by those who do not share our opinions and passions.  We will make new enemies when we work for reform, even when we protest peacefully.

Most of the greatest peaceful protesters in history had their enemies. Many of them gave up their lives for the reform they were working for.  Martin Luther King, Jr. for example.  Harvey Milk.  St. Francis of Assisi.  St. Benedict. Jesus Christ himself was willing to give up his life for the change he practiced and believed.  Black Elk.  Enmagahbowh.  Cesar Chavez.  Stephen Biko.  Mohandas Gandhi.  Dietrich Bonjoeffer. Greg Mortenson. Sts. Sergius and Bacchus  Lily Ledbetter.  Bishop Gene Robinson.  Bishop Mary Glasspool.  Adele Starr.  Raymond Castro.  Rev. Irene Monroe.  Mother Jones.  David Kato.  All of these individuals and many more that I cannot name or list gave up the comforts of their reputation, prestige to be a peaceful protester and reformer for change in society and the Church.  Some of them are still with us today.  Others have passed from this life to the next.

Even today, especially today we are witnessing individuals who are willing to make peaceful protests and become reformers for change.  President Barack Obama for example.  President Obama is facing all of the horrible prejudice of the first African American President.  Despite his many challenges and foes, Obama is managing to keep working for the good of middle-class people.  He has achieved things for the LGBTQ community with as many victories as he has set backs. 

It was just announced today that President Obama has replaced the controversial "conscience" regulation for health care workers. 

President Obama has chosen to stand with the Union protesters in Wisconsin.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick has issued an executive order to protect transgender state workers.  

Progressive Christians and other people of good will can be peaceful protesters and reformers.  When we understand that our work is part of God's work of love and liberation for those who are captive to oppression and suppression, and we go forth trusting in Jesus who is vine while we are the branches, there is almost nothing we cannot do.  We can take our hurts and concerns for ourselves to God in prayer and graft ourselves in to Jesus and the Holy Spirit and believe that with God we can do amazing things for so many people. 

As we hear and respond to this Gospel and this commemoration from within our hearts, we can ask for that grace and peace that surpasses all understanding so that we can find our place in the work for justice, inclusion and equality for all people.

Not all of us can walk in that crowd of people in Madison.  Most of us will not nail a 95 theses to the door of our state capitol, cathedral or Archbishops office.  But each of us can do something to be an instrument of peaceful protest and be proactive in bringing about reform. 

I truly believe peaceful protest and reform is the work of LGBT Christians.  We have recognized that our faith as well as who we are is so important to our lives, that we have vowed to practice, celebrate and live that faith.   We have dedicated ourselves to our faith and life, in spite of those who still think we are dirty, sinful people.  We celebrate our moves forward and grieve our losses together.  We are uniting ourselves with all kinds of faith groups and cultural practices to show that different people can work together in solidarity with one another. 

As we continue on with our peaceful protesting and reforming, let us look to the lives of those who have gone before, as well as others who are still with us now for strength and courage.  May all of us reach out to God.  May we all understand that we are children of God, who are wonderfully made.  We are all God's beloved and with us, God is well-pleased.  Amen.


Prayers

O God, our refuge and our strength: You raised up your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew your Church in the light of your word. Defend and purify the Church in our own day and grant that, through faith, we may boldly proclaim the riches of your grace which you have made known in Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for Martin Luther, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 231)

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Fridays, Book of Common Prayer, page 99).

Holy God, we remember before you those who suffer from want and anxiety from lack of work.  Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable employment, and receive a just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Unemployed, Book of Common Prayer, page 824).

Look with pity, O Holy One, 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). 

Taking the Good and Bad from Church Tradition: Making Progress from Contradiction

Scriptural Basis

Luke 10:1-9 (NRSV)

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.'"

Blog Reflection on Faith,  Justice and Equality

This is one of those commemorations that I have a bit of trouble with.

Last June shortly after Pentecost, we read about exchanges between the Archbishop of Canterbury and our Presiding Bishop. 

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori in her response to Archbishop Rowan Williams wrote:

We also recognize that the attempts to impose a singular understanding in such matters represent the same kind of cultural excesses practiced by many of our colonial forebears in their missionizing activity. Native Hawaiians were forced to abandon their traditional dress in favor of missionaries’ standards of modesty. Native Americans were forced to abandon many of their cultural practices, even though they were fully congruent with orthodox Christianity, because the missionaries did not understand or consider those practices exemplary of the Spirit. The uniformity imposed at the Synod of Whitby did similar violence to a developing, contextual Christianity in the British Isles. In their search for uniformity, our forebears in the faith have repeatedly done much spiritual violence in the name of Christianity.  

And:

We live in great concern that colonial attitudes continue, particularly in attempts to impose a single understanding across widely varying contexts and cultures. We note that the cultural contexts in which The Episcopal Church’s decisions have generated the greatest objection and reaction are also often the same contexts where women are barred from full ordained leadership, including the Church of England.

Yet here we are commemorating the first missionary to the new church in the "colonizing" United States. 

Thomas Bray was sent here to see what was happening with the establishment of the American branch of the Anglican Communion.  

I was very interested to read the following quote contained in the explanation of today's commemoration in Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints.

His understanding of, and concern for, Native Americans and Blacks were far ahead of his time. He founded thirty-nine lending libraries in America, as well as numerous schools. He raised money for missionary work and influenced young English priests to go to America.

As the Native Americans were seeing their values, homes and peoples invaded, taken over and destroyed, I am sure they were oh so happy that Bray's understanding and concern were beyond his years.  I bet they were so delighted that he founded thirty-nine libraries in America. 

To those of us who now enjoy what we have, we are so grateful that the Christian faith came here by way of those who came here from other lands.  But for the Native Americans who saw everything they had built and loved destroyed by those first white Christians, such statements are just a reminder of the suffering that their people have endured and continue to experience. 

In this commemoration we have to take the good and the bad from our Church Tradition. 

The first English Christians came and brought with them much tyranny for the Native American people.  There is no getting away from that. They believed they were doing the right thing by way of what they understood the Gospel to mean.  To those first English, Christian settlers they understood Jesus to teach them to go out and share the good news of Christ, and to build a civilization that was suppose to be created on the values of Christian Charity and the Sacraments.  What they did not know or understand, is that Jesus commissioned us with these seventy followers to: "Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you."  

Christians were not commissioned by Jesus to plunder whole communities of peoples and reform them according to an anglicized model.  One of the biggest mistakes of Christians, especially those of us who are part of the Anglican tradition, is assuming that our model of Christ as an Anglo-Saxon must be the same for everyone else in the world.  It is this very kind of thinking that led to racism, sexism and heterosexism among the Native Americans, the African Americans, the Irish, the Italians, the Hispanic/Latinos, as well as the Muslims, folks of other religions, sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.   It was the image of God as a male that has led to countless acts of discrimination towards women.  

As the Christians of earlier generations established themselves here in America, they did plant the seeds so that one day we would be here in the twenty first century.  Where we now understand that not everything we did in Christian Tradition was so saintly and wonderful.  That we would learn to look with gratitude, but also criticism at what our ancestors did and said.  Here we are in the Episcopal Church of 2011 with a female as our Presiding Bishop.  We have one openly gay ordained Bishop.  We have one openly lesbian Bishop.  We have many LGBT ordained Priests and Deacons. We have Indigenous Communities that are actively part of our church.  Many of them very open to LGBT people too.

One year ago on February 13th, Jason and I were present for the Consecration and Ordination of Bishop Brain Prior as the 9th Bishop of Minnesota.  The Indigenous Community took part in that ceremony with the burning of sage and the beating of the drum before the service began.  The Native Americans and the Episcopal Church were celebrating together a new beginning. 

The image of Enmegahbowh is on the wall at the healing station at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. 

There has been some growing friendships between many American religious institutions and the Native American Nations.  Many of these collaborations are taking place without the Christians requiring the Native American's to give up their Two Spirit nature and understanding of worship, culture and practice.

To quote Dean Spenser Simrill: "Christianity does not hold a monopoly on the truth."

As Christians and people of Faith, we can embrace other traditions, cultures, ways of worship and ideals that help others see what our faith is and what it is not.  

Many of our most cherished celebrations such as Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and so forth are not from the traditions of those first Christians in the Bible.  Many of those practices happened with the "Christianization" pagan rituals.  Some of the most conservative of churches, still celebrate those rituals today. 

The Christian Church and our Traditions make progress from contradiction.  This is nothing new or out of place.

The Christian Church continues to make progress in spite of contradiction as more and more Christians are embracing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer individuals.  We have learned not to interpret Paul and Leviticus without looking to some good critical scholarship.  Many of us are learning from the Unitarians, that "Standing on the Side of Love" comes from a humanitarian tradition, but with in it lies the very heart of what being a Christian is about. 

Embrace all people with a heart of love.  Standing on the side of love, when the world and even the Church hates so very much is the right thing to do as a Christian.  Speaking up in the Name of the God who is Love is much more important than defending dogmas and doctrines used to defend prejudice and violence.  Letting good human reason guide our understanding of things we do not entirely understand, speaks of Christians "standing on the side of love" rather than using our powers to propagate the earth with more religious based bigotry. 

Whether we agree with how the Unitarians view God and religion or not is irrelevant here.  The more important thing is, are we paying attention to how they are helping us understand the mission of Christ to the Church?  Do we as Christians "stand on the side of Love" or are we too wound up in who we can hate? 

We can all take the good and bad from our Church Tradition.  We can make progress from contradiction.  When we allow the Holy Spirit to continue to "guide us into all truth" (Jn 16:13) we are taking the good and the bad and making progress from contradiction. 

Prayers

O God of compassion, you opened the eyes of your servant Thomas Bray to see the needs of the Church in the New World, and led him to found societies to meet those needs: Make the Church in this land diligent at all times to propagate the Gospel among those who have not received it, and to promote the spread of Christian knowledge; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Thomas Bray, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 225).

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, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races, cultures, *sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions in this world.  Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in thos ewho differ most from us, until our knowledge of your 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 (*sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions added by blog author) Book of Common Prayer, page 840). 

Our Words and Actions Matter

Scriptural Basis

Mark 16:15-20 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the eleven disciples, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.



Blog Reflection of Spirituality, Justice and Inclusion


The Gospel reading for today's commemoration is Mark's version of the great commission.  Mark's rendition is a bit different.  In Matthew 28: 16-20, the narrative depicts Jesus telling his disciples to go out and Baptize all nations in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sancitfier.  In Mark's Gospel, the commission of Jesus to his disciples is to preach the good news.  Jesus then appears to be stating the benefits of being baptized vs. the consequences of not being baptized.  

One thing to keep in mind is that the Bible, including the Gospels are written, translated and revised according to someone or a group of people's perspectives of how they understand what the Bible is to say.  

Are there genuine messages that are maintained from one translation to the other?  Yes.  Are they always worded the same? No.

While the Bible is inspired by our Mother, the Holy Spirit, the humans who translate it are not exempt from making mistakes or inserting their own flavor of what is to be included or excluded.


One such example is the Message Bible.   The Message Bible has some wonderful wording to it.  It actually transcribes many of those clobber passages used against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people in a more readable and less condemning way.  However, the Message Bible was also put together by conservative evangelical people, who have inserted a few anti-semitic ideals into the Bible.  For example there are places in the Psalms that spell the word, "word" as "Word."  In the Bible what that word is spelled with a capitol W it is referring to Jesus.  It contains a sentiment of hostility towards those who believe and practice Judaism.   What seems like semantics to some, is a matter of religious oppression to others.


Today, we are commemorating Saints Cyril and Methodias.  They were missionaries to the Slavic people.  They brought the message of the Gospel and the worship of God to the Slavic people, in their own language.  Their message was not all that well received.  They had their difficulties with the people they were trying to reach as well as within the Church.  Though the Bishop of Rome at the time was very good to them, they still faced incredible opposition from religious people in the country they were working in.  In the end, their words and actions brought some radical change to the people they served.

Our words and actions matter a great deal.  What we do with them and who we use them for and to have their consequences.  


We saw just how effective words and actions can be with the murder of gay rights activist David Kato of Uganda.   

Bishop Gene Robinson wrote a really reflective piece in the Washington Post just before the National Prayer Breakfast.    

Words can inspire good, and they can incite hatred. We're seeing a lot of the latter lately, and it's getting dangerous. Even deadly.

Last week, one of the only gay activists willing to speak out about gay rights in Uganda was bludgeoned to death with a hammer that fractured his skull. The authorities say it was a likely robbery. But David Kato's image had recently appeared in a daily Ugandan newspaper with the headline "Hang Them." His murder, regardless of its true nature, has sent palpable fear through the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender community and their friends, colleagues and families. Because in Uganda, not only might you be murdered for being gay, there is formal legislation that may soon go for a vote before Parliament that would make being a gay "repeat offender," punishable by death. For others - life imprisonment. It proposes extradition for all LGBT Ugandans living overseas, and prison sentences for those who don't turn in their gay friends, colleagues, and even family members. So what does this have to do with America -- a continent away?

An array of conservative American Christians have taken it upon themselves to "educate" those in Africa about the evils evils> of homosexuality. Appearances throughout Uganda and even before the national legislative body, by people claiming to be scientistsscientists >, warning about threats to their children from homosexual predators, and calling acceptance of homosexual people a Western plot to undermine the families of Uganda, had their effect.

But it is a member of "The Family" itself who used this extremist propaganda to create the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, bill: Uganda Member of Parliament David David> Bahati. "The Family" is the secretive group that organizes the highly influential National Prayer Breakfast that is being held this Thursday morning in Washington, DC. Among the most terrifying of the statements in the bill Bahati introduced is this line: "A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death."

Words do matter. While American conservative Christians feign shock that their words would lead to such draconian laws it's not nearly enough when their influence means that every moment of every day, members of Uganda's LGBT community fear for their lives. Why, they had intended no such awful thing!

In southern California, when someone is careless with a campfire, which then gets out of control and burns thousands of acres of land and countless homes, they are held accountable. Just because you didn't intend to burn down trees and homes doesn't mean you are not responsible for its happening. We hold them accountable for the very real damage that they've done, whether or not they intended that damage.

Similarly, words matter, because they can be as combustible as a match in dry underbrush. Incendiary words, whether spoken on TV, or in a town meeting, or halfway across the world, can incite hatred and even violence. When that violence occurs, it's not good enough for those who have incited it to claim no responsibility, because they never intended it. They need to be held accountable.

I know whereof I speak. I have been the target of such incendiary criticism. Dehumanizing someone - in my case someone who is gay -- is the first step in making it acceptable to "take them down." When Anglican archbishops called me and people like me "lower than the dogs" and asserted that when I was consecrated a bishop, "Satan entered the Church," it gives the crazies all the reason they need to take this to a violent level. I required full time security in 2003, and wore a bulletproof vest for my consecration. A year ago, state police arrested a man on his way to kill me - with Mapquest maps to my house, pictures from the Internet (across which the man had scrawled "Save the Church! Kill the Bishop!"), and a sawed-off shotgun and ammo sitting next to him in the passenger seat. These are not idle threats. Incendiary language has real ramifications, giving such imbalanced people the notion that such actions are warranted and acceptable.

So as a bishop in the Episcopalian Church who has been attacked for being openly gay, and as someone who has friends and colleagues in Uganda, I call on the National Prayer Breakfast organizers, as an act of good faith at this Thursday's Breakfast, to lead their roomful of influential politicians, religious leaders, and dignitaries in a prayer of compassion and concern for the family, friends and colleagues of David Kato, and pray for their protection from further harm.

As we continue to strive for justice and equality for LGBTQ and other marginalized persons in the Church and society, it is so imperative that we understand that our words and actions make a huge difference. 

It is the power of the dehumanizing words of those who oppose equality and inclusion for LGBTQ people that they are so effective.  The homonegativity, combined with the "simplified moral constructs," and such as Glenda M. Russell suggests, are done to feed individuals with false information about sexual and gender diversity.  Their words are designed to make LGBTQ people as the "other."  In addition, such words and actions helps push the idea that heterosexuals should continue to benefit at the expense of those who are not. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is written and spoken of in different languages, expressed in so many different ways to be able to reach and transform many different people.  That transformation does not happy in the same way for every person.  We have all been made different.  We are loved by God with all of our different ways of living, loving, existing etc.  

For LGBTQ the message of the Gospel comes in the language of inclusive love and an acceptance of diverse ways of relating, loving, embracing and sharing.  The words "God created us all the same. God created us male and female.  God creates us all straight.  It is poor families, bad examples of masculinity, femininity that have been eroticized that causes homosexual behavior" are words filled with religious based bigotry.  To many looking for a scapegoat to prey upon, the words that I have written in the previous sentence are used to justify cruel behavior.  Such ideology was transported to Uganda by American evangelicals.  Words and actions do matter.

If our goal is to make our words and actions matter to bring about justice, equality and inclusion then we must focus on changing our culture.   When people see lesbian and gay couples out and about, raising children, sharing their love with each other in appropriate ways as on this Valentine's Day, our actions inspire change in the minds of people.   When we share a word of condolence and concern with someone who's spouse has died, our words do move people's hearts.  When we show through our example that we are concerned about the rights of workers to organize and bargain for better wages, health care and retirement benefits, we show that LGBT people are not just about sex or gender surgery.  We are seen and understood to be people of justice for all people.  In so doing, we help peoples minds move, perhaps towards a more open mindedness that not all LGBT people are what the conservative Christians are saying.   We challenge stereotypes and attitudes.  We give our opposition a run for their money.

How is God calling us to use words and actions that matter today?   What difference are we to make with our words and actions to inspire cultural change?   

Today on Valentine's Day, let us make sure that our words and actions communicate a sense of love and respect for all persons.

Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, by the power of the Holy Spirit you moved your servant Cyril and his brother Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people: Overcome all bitterness and strife among us by the love of Christ, and make us one united family under the banner of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Cyril and Methodius, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 223).

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).

 

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Oh! How We Can Love

As we listen to the news of all that has happened with the revolution in Egypt, we might be asking ourselves: What is the point? Democracy? Yes. But is that really the most important thing?  I think what is important about what happened in Egypt is a genuine call to respect and love one another.  There are ways to peacefully and forcefully protest, without violence and destruction as our part of the process. What has happened in Egypt is a recognition of the dignity of every human being that lives under the oppression of a dictatorial leader.  It is possible to call for justice and equality, to be adamant and peaceful.  It is possible to be loud and determined and still move the most stubborn heart. 

As we continue reading through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is telling us what we can do more than what we cannot do.  We are called to fulfill as Jesus did the most awesome responsibility of the Jewish Law, to love God, our neighbor and ourselves to the point that we never take one another for granted.   We are empowered by Jesus' example to love one another as God has loved us. 

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 5:21-37

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not murder'; and `whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, `You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
"You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

"It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be `Yes, Yes' or `No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Blog Reflection for Justice and Equality

Among the many things that has been winning me from being an arch-conservative Catholic or even a Christianist to being a progressive Episcopalian, Christian is the commitment to justice and equality while trying to maintain some resemblance of Christian Charity.  Over the past few days, I have been utterly disgusted with the rhetoric that has come from much of the corporate, conservative owned media that continues to spread lies and hate toward the Muslim people.   Some of the things that are being said in the name of sensational journalism, are down right destructive.   It hardly passes for honoring the Name of God, while perpetuating an atmosphere of dehumanization for a people who have carried out such a peaceful revolution. 

The work towards justice and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer and other marginalized persons in the Church and/or society is a long, hard journey.  We are continuing to experience many set backs as well as steps forward.  It is difficult not to become angry or vengeful towards those who use religious based bigotry towards us and our relationships. 

In the Gospel here, I do not believe that Jesus is telling us not to become angry.  Jesus is telling his audience to respect our sisters and brothers, while at the same time taking every opportunity to correct what is wrong about what is being said.  We will not achieve our goals of justice and equality by insulting our opponents unnecessarily.  "Speak the truth in love" suggests that reminding people that Westboro Baptist's continual assault on the memory and tragedy of Matthew Sheperd's murder does not represent Christian Charity, let alone graceful engagement. 

If you are having some trouble with some of what Jesus is saying in this Gospel, you are not alone.  I have a real big problem with the statements about the proper way to divorce a woman, is a matter of exchanging property, rather than recognizing women as individuals with dignity.  We need to keep in mind that the age in which Jesus would have been giving this part of the Sermon on the Mount, was a time in which women were property.  Jesus would have been influenced some by this culture.  At the same time, Jesus is calling his listeners to a recognition of the boundaries by which we are called to respect one another. 

The constant attack of anti-LGBT politics weighs so heavily upon our communities, especially our people of faith because as Glenda Russell says they begin with "homonegativity," "simplified moral constructs," "undocumented and faulty arguments," "examples of anti-gay campaigns," "affective loading of anti-gay materials,"  and last but not least they depict "LGBT people as the "other".  They violate the very personal center of LGBT individuals for the purpose of dehumanizing us, creating stress factors, divisions within our communities and internalized homophobia that is an unavoidable consequence.  The anti-LGBT equality folks love to say that the consequences of their anti-LGBT rhetoric are not because of them, but because being LGBT is such an affront to the "natural law."

Unfortunately missing from their equation is the understanding that Jesus Christ called upon all who would be followers of God in Jesus Name, to love God, their neighbor and themselves in such a way, that the fear, dehumanization of LGBT people and other marginalized persons would not even be considered.  That is why those of us who are progressive, justice and equality minded Christians need to be the alternative and true example of love and compassion.   Because without our willingness to step out of our comfort zones and become agents of God's love in the world, the negative voices against equality will be the only voices everyone hears.  What our dark world needs, is the light of those willing to love our neighbor by respecting everyone as being a beloved child of God, with whom God is well-pleased.  Realizing that no two people are made to look a like, think a like, love a like, or even believe and pray a like.  Our differences are not obstacles, but opportunities to engage our hearts of loving concern for those marginalized to work for justice and equality for everyone.  Whether by our words spoken, written or actions done.  

Oh! How we can love other people, when we work to put aside prejudice and violence and agree to work for the common good of all people.  The people of Egypt showed the world how to do it.  Whether there were Christians, Muslims, atheists, rich, poor, straight or gay among the people in that revolution.  It does not matter.  They came out, they would not go home until justice had been done.  They would not give up.  They would not give in.  They insisted that those who were creating the problem, had to be brought out of power.  As Christians who want justice and equality for all people, we can and must be willing to do the same.  There are many people who will say thank you if and when we do.  And we will have lived out the words and commandments of Jesus.

Prayers

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 216).

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).

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you;
  you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Often you weep over our sins and our pride,
  tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds,
  in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life;
  by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;
  through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead,
  your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us;
  in your love and tenderness, remake us.
In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness,
  for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.
(Canticle Q: A Song of Christ's Goodness, Enriching our Worship 1, page 39). 

Practice Spirit, Do Justice; Worship that Values Cultural Change

Scriptural Basis

Isaiah 58: 1-12 (NRSV)

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. "Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. 

Blog Reflection for Justice and Equality

As I read this Canticle from Isaiah in the Daily Office this morning, I found myself remembering all of the great things I learned and saw at Creating Change 2011. 

As a convert from being Roman Catholic to Episcopalian, I love Liturgical worship and music.  I love ritual with a message through all of it's symbolism, activity, context and seasonal traditions.  I love Liturgical worship even more when it is inclusive of diverse groups of people, with all of our stories, life experiences and cultural histories come together with a sense of respect and solidarity.  When we accept and realize that every one of us is different and decide to put those differences aside and work together, amazing things can happen.

While many of the mainline churches have become inclusive and have embraced LGBTQ people and many other minorities, we do have one major problem.  We enjoy all too much talking about charitable works and doing good for others.  Mainline churchgoers and sometimes our leaders do not enjoy talking as much about doing justice.  We are all too content with the "us" vs "them" mentality.

As good Episcopalians "we" are really good at implying who "we" means so as not to allow "them" to disturb our warm fuzzy selves.   "We have been working on becoming more inclusive, welcoming and affirming.  We don't need to do much more."  "We serve weekly suppers for the economically challenged.  We are doing all that we can." 

I do believe the issue in this canticle from the third Prophet Isaiah is worship and justice working together.  Isaiah  "is drawing on a long standing tradition of prophetic criticism (compare Amos 5: 18-27, which insists that worship without justice has no value.)" (John Collins, Collegeville Bible Commentary, Old Testament Volume, page 448).

At the opening plenary session for the Practice Spirit, Do Justice theme for people of all faiths at Creating Change 2011, we did an incredible three incredible ritual exercises.  

Before we began we were presented with a realistic explanation of what English white Christians did to the established lives of the Indigenous Community when my Pilgrim ancestor's landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

(FYI for hose who do not know, my grandfather's ancestors on my mother's side of our family were Pilgrims who lived in the Plymouth Plantation.)

As if I was not already feeling bad enough hearing their stories, the presenters began leading us through the three exercises. 

The first exercise began with all of us being asked to fold a single white sheet of paper into four pieces and tearing them into the four individual parts.   On each of those four parts we were asked to write down things that are valuable to us.  To give you examples: love, faith, opportunity, our partner(s), home, money, food etc.  Then we were asked to gather closer to the front of the room.  The leader asked us to hand over to him our values.  After he got all of the values he could get from us, he turned around and burned them.  He had taken our values and destroyed them.  Just like those first English, white Christian settlers did to the Indigenous people.  

To begin the second exercise they asked all of us who were white, African American, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Straight, LGBTQ, Immigrants, Latinos, married, divorced, rich or poor anything but Indigenous to stand in one small side corner of the room.  As we were gathering in that small corner, they took a rope and placed it in front of us.  They leaders stretched and held that rope from one corner of all of us gathered into a triangular shape to the other of the corner we were all standing in.  As those of us who were told to go into that corner grew larger, the rope closed in smaller and tighter.  Until we had one small corner of the room and the Indigenous people had all the widest space in the room to roam around and do whatever they wanted.  That also represented what the white Christians did to the Native Americans. 

The third exercise began with an Indigenous chant and dance by which the Native Americans began to gather all of us bunched inside that rope following behind the leader.   Slowly and repeatedly gathering followers behind the leader, single groups of participants followed the other, until all of the people in that bunched up space were following this one person.  She led us out of the roped in corner and began to march the followers around the outer edge of the room, until all of us were connected as one circle of people. 

Most of us who participated in that experience were either crying, just speechless or completely unable to move without taking everything in with the utmost humility.  The movement symbolized how broken, oppressed individuals who are facing injustice in our own communities and beyond, can work together as one people to change a whole generation of hearts and lives forever.   But, we must be willing to see what we are doing as it is, not through the rose colored glasses that blind us to what we cannot view. 

As good Episcopalians it is not enough for us to sit nicely in our church pews taking in the beauty of our worship.  Our celebrating and praying as beautiful and worshipful as it is, with all the correct vestments and the best of our inclusive language does nothing for the work of Justice unless we are willing to become participants in reconciliation and visible change.  The beautiful lit candles of our altar's must light the fire of compassion within our hearts that can so easily become empathetic to the needs of those who are experiencing political, social and religious based oppression. We need to move past the recitation and amens of our excellent prayerful rituals, and begin to apply the meaning of them in our everyday work of justice and equality for all people.  

Episcopalians and Anglicans cannot be content to approve an Anglican Covenant that seeks to diminish the hard work of organizations such as Integrity USA and the Chicago Consultation.  The wording of the present Anglican Covenant could be used as an instrument to silence our progress for the sake of those who's hearts are all too comfortable misusing their pastoral authority to oppress LGBT people all over the Anglican Communion.  The Covenant seeks to make to vindicate those who are sitting silently and comfortably while ignoring our responsibility to voice and act on behalf the threatened and vulnerable LGBT sisters and brothers in Uganda.  The importance of the Archbishop of Canterbury's voice condemning the actions of the Anglican Priest who disrupted David Kato's funeral proceedings cannot be overstated. 

We cannot be content with superbly stated theologies, while the horrible injustice of oppression is uplifted by those who have been ordained and called to represent and minister to those who cannot walk safely in their streets, or be left peacefully alone in their homes. We here in the Episcopal Church cannot be too satisfied with ourselves for having ordained one openly gay bishop and one openly lesbian bishop.  Our work for the justice and inclusion of LGBTQ people and other minorities in the Church and society has made great strides, but is far from finished. 

If we are willing to get up from our comfortable places and begin the give some value to our worship by working for justice and equality, God has promised to guide us and to satisfy our needs even in places that are parched.   God has promised to strengthen us to do all that we are willing to do in God's Name for those who are oppressed.  That which has been ruined will be rebuilt.  We will be known as the "repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live on." 

Prayers

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known o us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 216).


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