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).