Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Blog Reflection
The times we are living in are frightening and disturbing.
The future of our economy is bleak. Our Supreme Court is handing off elections to the highest bidding corporate giants. Catholic hospitals that once supported the health care reform act, are now objecting to providing birth control at no charge to their employees. Yesterday a prayer gathering took place in Texas to support the Christian religion as a political action committee that seeks dominionism, capitalism, sexism, racism, religious based bigotry, heterosexism and violence.
The Scripture readings for today are just what the doctor ordered. They speak of the need to recognize that our work and struggles for justice, equality and inclusion of marginalized people in the Church and society is the work of all communities working together.
In the first reading 1 Kings 19:9-18 we read about Elijah alone and seeking God. Elijah feels alone and defeated. Elijah has been working to restore Israel to be a community that takes care of those who fall through the cracks of the system. He is exhausted and feeling abandoned in his work. God comes to Elijah in his sorry and pain. God comes not in the thunder, earthquake, wind or fire. God comes to Elijah in his loneliness and despair. God assures Elijah that he is not alone in the work of justice. God sends Elijah to anoint others for the tasks that Elijah does. God helps Elijah to establish communities of individuals with different abilities and visions to continue the work Elijah had been doing.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people continue to experience the effects of heterosexism that feeds the violence of homophobia. When the National Organization for Marriage, Family Research Council, American Family Association, etc talk their loud and cruel rhetoric, LGBTQ people feel the sting. We can feel like we are all alone in our quest for equality.
Is it any wonder that African Americans, immigrants, Jews, Muslims, Hispanics, Asians, the disabled, those who cannot speak or write in English experience the same horrible rhetoric? The Tea Party with it's corrupt view of government and anyone who does not think like they do, have aligned themselves with the dominionists who seek to exclude all others who are not their version of the status quo.
The work of justice and equality is shared by all communities working together to bring about a better tomorrow for themselves and others.
As Peter was walking towards Jesus who's life and ministry was about healing the sick, raising the dead and seeking out those lost by oppression and bias, Peter had his eyes on Jesus who was also walking on water. As long as he kept his gaze upon Jesus and the life that he led, in the company of the others who work together Peter was able to walk above the stormiest sea. Everything changed when Peter took his eyes of Jesus and began to think only about himself, and his own sense of pride and importance. It was then that Peter's faith faltered and he began to sink. Jesus being the merciful and gracious Savior reaches out his hand to rescue Peter from drowning. Later, Jesus expresses his concern about Peter's faith and instructs Peter to keep his mind on what is most important.
One of the big reasons that I feel that Christianity has been losing it's appeal to preach the Gospel of Jesus, is because we have all too often isolated ourselves from working together with others to achieve our goals.
"Christianity does not hold a monopoly on truth." (Dean Spenser Simrill, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral). The Christian religion is not a faith of supercessionism. All other religions, philosophies and governments are not required to reduce themselves to become what Caucasian, male, heterosexual, healthy, wealthy, English speaking Christians decide. All others are not indebted to Christianity to give up their ideals, cultural practices, worship styles or philosophies about the Bible to become vitally active or successful people. Christianity shows its greatest power and purest meaning when Christians work in the company of others accepting them as they are to bring about a Church and society where diversity means counting people, and inclusion means people count.
The LGBTQ communities show that diversity is our strength when we work with and on behalf of other marginalized persons/groups to find justice and equality. Racism, sexism and even consumerism and capitalism that sadly are all too real in the LGBTQ communities makes working for justice and equality even more difficult than it already is. Many LGBTQ people who do not share any religious belief or practice are often very judgmental and quite cruel to LGBTQ people of faith. The rhetoric and sentiments, however deserving because of the pain that religious based bigotry has heaped upon our communities, are not called for towards every person of any and all faith backgrounds.
The work of justice and equality requires that all communities work together. No one is excluded or un-needed in the work of helping to make our economy, courts, public policies and churches better places for everyone.
As Christians, our God is with us to help us know that we are never alone. God is with us as we work with others in whatever capacity to heal those wounded and broken with hospitality and reconciliation.
Prayers
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; 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).
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. (Book of Common Prayer, page 823).
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 821).
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