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
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
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).
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