Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Community and Diversity Are One

Scriptural Basis


Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Blog Reflection

As I write this blog reflection today we are all facing our nerves and frustrations with the gridlock in America's Capitol. 

The debt ceiling needs to be raised.

There is also the need for a deficit reduction plan.

As with any legislation, those who face the most obstacles (those being the unemployed, the middle class, Seniors, the disabled and low income folks) are among those who are first to lose even more.

These are dangerous and perilous times. The economy is still weak. Unemployment is over 9% in all of America.  Most middle class and low income people are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills, put food on the table and maintain the necessities of life. Further losses are detrimental to economic recovery.

Yet, with the super wealthy doing remarkably well, and wanting even more power and money and lobbyists fighting with the big bucks in Congress, it appears that those with the most to lose are about to lose even more.

The readings for this weekend are an invitation for everyone to experience and "taste the goodness of God." (See Psalm 34:8).  The hungry, the outcasts, those who are wounded by religious, political and social classification are invited to enjoy God's generous grace and become one with each other.

The reading from Isaiah 55: 1-5 tells of God inviting everyone who thirsts, who are poor, looking for inclusion and the satisfaction of their senses to come and receive the very best God has to give. 

This is such a great comparison to the Eucharist or Holy Communion.

Through the Eucharist and/or Holy Communion, God invites all who are hungry and thirsty to come and receive the very Presence of Jesus Christ and to become one with God and each other.

A oneness by which community and diversity meet together as one people.

Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer have all too often been given the exclusion ticket because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.

Individuals who support a woman's right to chose what is best for herself, or marriage equality, the ordination of women have been told that they will be denied admission to the Sacrament of God's Presence.   Such exclusions go against the words of God in Isaiah, and Jesus in today's Gospel narrative.

God, the Eucharist and the Christian religion are not a matter of privilege based on our biases and preferences.  Being a Christian does not give Christians a free pass to dominionism or supercessionism to the total exclusion and oppression of everyone else that do not measure up to our preconceived ideas of God and those different from ourselves.

People who struggle to accept their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression wrestle with their existence and purpose before God and their communities.  Such is referenced in the reading from Genesis 32: 22-31 as Jacob wrestles with the mystery of God, himself and his identity. 

Transgender individuals know that they are born either male or female with the opposite gender existing with in themselves.  They struggle with the depths of who they really are, with all of the social, political and religious obstacles in their way.  When a transgender person finally makes the decision to have their physical bodies transformed to be who they are on the inside, they are often left with the scars associated with their struggles on every level. 

Lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals experience a similar situation.  Though we may finally accept ourselves and work to gain marriage equality and finding relationships and communities that embrace and affirm us, the wounds we carry from all the rejection of family, friends and pastors are deep and painful. 

God invites all who are thirsty, including the illegal immigrant, the Native American and the African American still wounded by racism and political exploitation to come and drink of the love that God pours out through the precious blood of God's perfect revelation of God's Self.   God does not require them to convert to a single understanding of the Christian religion, nor leave behind the cultural heritage that have blessed and nourished those affected by racism, in order to find peace within themselves.

God calls the young students who are LGBT and/or questioning who experience bullying in their schools to come to God and be nourished by sharing in God's community that is one with diversity.  God does not call them to attempt reparative therapy or to attend an ex-gay conversion camp, nor be subjected to the spiritual violence and abuse of Christianist individuals and organizations.

To these and many more affected by economic hardships, political, social and religious oppression, God invites us to come to God, and calls on God's ministers to "give them something to eat."

God is able to take the minimum of what we bring, multiply it and share it with all who come to experience the healing goodness of God and a community that embraces and affirms who we are.

God is the one who transforms what is small to us and uses it for the common good of all.

God wants to feed all who are hungry, thirsty, feeling neglected or marginalized with compassion, understanding and inclusion.

Let us remain vigilant in our prayers for our Congress and President.  That people may set aside their gluttony for huge pay outs to advance those who already have more than enough, for the benefit of those who live in poverty and face further isolation and deprivation.

Let us also pray for and challenge the Church including those who lead and minister in Jesus' name to honor God's invitation for all who are thirsty, hungry, poor, LGBT etc to come to receive and celebrate God's Presence, in the community and diversity of God's people.  May the Church learn to allow the Holy Spirit to challenge our preconceived notions of God and those different than us, to make room for all who come to seek God's peace and saving grace.


Prayers

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 232).

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, page 101).

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.  (Book of Common Prayer, page 816).

Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To all who have executive authority and to all who have administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To those who make our laws give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 821).