Scriptural Basis
Matthew 10:40-42 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."
Blog Reflection
Whether we are talking about the intensity surrounding the topic of the bullying of LGBT and Questioning youth in public or private schools. Even if we are talking about the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell or the Defense of Marriage Act. If our conversation about sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is around the subject of ex-gay groups or ex-gay survivors. All of these subjects concerning being LGBTQ have one thing in common. There are Christianist groups and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans, Episcopalians, Orthodox, Lutherans etc who are determined that any sexual orientation that is not straight must be opposed on all fronts.
Any individual who's body is one gender while she or he is another and seeks to change it. Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans, Episcopalians, Orthodox, Lutherans etc have made it their work to stop them and their rights at no cost. Even basic Christian Charity.
This past week, in an effort to stop the passage of marriage equality the Roman Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York offered six reasons why marriage equality for LGBT people must not be recognized. In all of his reasons, he denigrates and insults the very nature of who LGBT people are. His reasons are baseless on facts and based on fears that are not real. The so-called champion of "defending the dignity of all human beings" goes south when talking about LGBT people and the opportunities for us to be married.
In the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC the Parish of St. Luke in Bladensburg has decided to join the Roman Catholic church over the issue of ordaining women to the Priesthood and the ordination of LGBT Clergy and Bishops.
In today's Gospel, Jesus is making the case that whoever welcomes others, welcomes Jesus.
How can we think about that on this Gospel on Pride Sunday?
LGBT people all over the world are gathering to celebrate and remember that 42 years ago those first individuals at the Stonewall Inn in New York City decided they had had enough of police brutality and it is time to act and speak out against injustice and oppression. There will be parades, festivals, dances, fireworks, lights, speeches and in many churches special services marking this event. St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota will be one of them.
While Pride celebrates a historical event, that event in many ways has been rewritten. Rev. Irene Monroe wrote last year about how African American's, Hispanics and many individuals of diverse races have been "bleached out" of the history books about Stonewall. The actual history of Stonewall also tells us that the riots were started by drag queens and transgender individuals. Gay and lesbian folks came into the picture later as the movements for equality progressed.
In the LGBTQ communities we continue to see the wounds within and outside due to religious, social, economic and political oppression.
Families torn apart by the Christianist movement over the sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression of another member of their family. While the LGBTQ communities continue to struggle over not only our own self esteem or battles with depression and anxiety, we are also faced with the issues of racism, sexism and other kinds of biases within our own communities.
The welcome that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel for this Sunday goes beyond the welcome. It is an opportunity for healing and reconciliation. Jesus is calling for Christians to welcome with open arms, hearts and minds those that are different from ourselves.
The welcome goes beyond looking at our biases towards another person for physical appearances and behaviors that we may or may not understand. It is recognizing that every person is unique. Every individual comes with needs. Each person has qualities that make her or him "fearfully and wonderfully made." But one thing about every person, is that we are all thirsty in some way.
LGBT individuals of all cultures, genders, body types, races, economic class, religion or lack there of is an individual person who comes thirsting for love, acceptance, opportunity and a deep desire to not be alone in the world. LGBT people are not interested in "recruiting children" or even molesting them or singling them out. When an LGBTQ youth takes her or his life because of bullying and harassment from families, friends, misguided religious zeal and social bigotry, every LGBTQ person is rightfully concerned.
When LGBTQ individuals continue to experience discrimination and even violence on the basis of her/his sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, race, economic class, health status, immigration status, we like any other level minded person is concerned. And if we aren't, we need to think carefully about our attitudes and goals in this world.
It is time for the Christian Church to get beyond welcoming and start being the agents for radical healing and reconciliation for this and many other groups of people that continue to experience the onslaught of bigotry and cruelty that is not only a sign of Christ that he did not have, but a real insult to the essence of who Jesus Christ is and was about. It is way past time for Christians to look past doctrine, dogma and ecclesiastical authority and committees and start acting to welcome and give a drink of compassion and generosity that goes beyond the kind hello coming in, and the over used "we are glad you were here today" self given excuse for having done nothing to better an LGBT person's future.
While a good welcome is a start, it should be a step past the door of genuine or even not so genuine greeters to asking "how can we serve you who come to us thirsty, so you leave here knowing you have had a drink that has quenched your thirst and given you new reason to embrace Jesus and our community with life and love again?"
As we reflect on this Pride Sunday, let us also recognize that we all have a part to play in the ministry of welcome and radical healing and reconciliation. Not only of LGBT people, but of all who are still looking for someone, some where who sees them not as a label or description or a classification. But understands that it is Jesus who comes asking to be welcomed, healed, reconciled and given the opportunity to change our lives as well as those we welcome for the better of all.
Prayers
Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBTQ Pride. We are, each of us, created in your image, lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer a like. Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal. Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community. We ask in your Name, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 8, Book of Common Prayer, page 230).
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).
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