Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Coming Out and Working for Equality is God's Will

Scriptural Basis

Exodus 17: 1-7 (NRSV)

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?" But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." The Lord said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Psalm 25: 3 (BCP. Page 614)

Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach my your paths.

Philippians 2: 1-13 (NRSV)

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death--

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Matthew 21: 23-32 (NRSV)

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, `Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, `I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him."

Blog Reflection

“Is God among us or not?”  This provocative question weaves itself through today’s readings.  In Exodus 17:1-7 we encounter a familiar scene. The Israelites begin to quarrel and complain that Moses has led them on a death march.  They ask: “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” (verse 3).  For his part, Moses appears frustrated at their impatience.  Yet, God miraculously provides water from a rock. (Out in Scripture).

I am sure that Troy Davis and his family asked the question: "Is God among us or not?" As the legal battle, and storms of media controversy and the blatant racism demonstrated by the State of Georgia to be sure they executed a black man whether he was really innocent or not, can feel like God just was not there to help.

Many LGBT people and others without jobs, housing, health care,  a cure for cancer, HIV/AIDS, equal rights, who experience the marginalization of the Church and society feel a lot like the community of Israel wandering through the desert.

For LGBT people the legal repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell feels like a much needed drink of water.  Before we know it, we are back in the desert working for marriage equality, work place rights while the Roman Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan sticks his nose in to stop them.  Or worrying about youth like Jamey Rodemeyer who though he made an It Gets Better Video, took his life because of constant bullying over his sexual orientation. 

The facts of life include that no matter what walk of life we come from, we all have our moments in the desert when we are wandering aimlessly asking where do we find God in it all.  We are all wandering in the deserts of our lives. We face illness, poverty, the uncertainty of our future, discrimination and violence and so on.

As with the story about Moses and the Israelite people, God is there. We may not see or hear God acting in the way we would wish, but that does not mean God is not there with great concern about our needs.  Sometimes God answers our prayers by giving us just what we want. Other times God gives us just what we need even if it is grace to wait until God reveals God's will to us.

The verse I chose from the Psalm today, is a prayer to ask God to help us to know God's ways and paths to true peace and holiness.  God has already created LGBT people just as we are.  If we are LGBT people of faith, then we need to pray and ask God to lead us in God's ways to know what is the path to holiness as we love our partners or engage in relationships.

As Christians we believe that God revealed God's Self in God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ.  Jesus came among us not to exploit equality with God, but to give his life in service of God's people.  Jesus is exalted by God not just because God was in Christ, but because Jesus laid down his life so that others might live in everlasting life with God who is Creator, Servant and Life-Giver.

The life God calls us to live is not one of just saying yes in the prayers and creeds found in the Book of Common Prayer, but through an honest and devoted life of service for equality for those who are marginalized and oppressed.

As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, we hear from Christianists that being gay and living in committed same-sex relationships is somehow saying yes to God, but not doing God's will.  As a gay Episcopalian Christian who struggled many years to come to a place of peace with God about who I am and who I love, I cannot agree with how Christians use today's Gospel to frame the debate about homosexuality and being Christian.

I would dare to say that knowing we are LGBT or even questioning or queer, being called by God to come out and live who we are proudly, and we say no, but later think better of it and do, we are among those who do God's will.  You see, when we settle the question between ourselves and God about who we are as LGBTQ people, after having gone through the dry desert of fear and anxiety while in the closet wondering what we should do, we then come to understand that our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity is a gift of God, not a choice of humankind. 

Among our decision to finally accept God's will to live as LGBT openly and with a sense of pride in who God has created us to be, we cannot be settled with just being by ourselves or just doing all for ourselves.  God challenges us to continue to participate in the work of God's creation by working for a Church and society where all individuals who face violence, prejudice and oppression can find justice, equality and inclusion.

This is why we can not just sit in silence as not just Troy Davis, but many individuals mostly African Americans get the death penalty through the political maneuvering of racist people.

It is not good for us nor the Church and/or society to keep quiet about the constant attack on women and women's reproductive health care, job programs, anti-violence laws and unequal pay. 

We are doing a terrible injustice when we do not speak up about Christianist organizations and politicians targeting Muslims and Jewish people to create atmospheres of violence and prejudice.

When we fail to take into account the suffering of immigrants and Native Americans as a result of white, Christians, we are saying yes to God, but not doing God's will. 

When Tea Party folks and Republicans exploit the poor suggesting they must do more, while giving all the tax breaks and job opportunities to corporate greedy people who just want more and more, Christians need to speak up and act to promote social justice and economic equality.

Doing God's will to achieve equality and justice in a time when there are a lot of Christianists paying good "yes" lip service to God, while acting contrary to what the Bible actually teaches, is like wandering in the desert wondering where God is in it all.   The fact is God's reign is not just some transcendent and detached being surrounded by ancient stories and theological masterpieces.  God is also close to each of us and calls every one of us to become partners in the work of disclosing God's healing and transforming presence.

In so doing, not only do we say yes to God in our worship and prayers, but we also do the work God has asked of us in the vineyard where God's people who are hungry, thirsty, oppressed and hurting are waiting and seeking God's powerful hospitality and reconciliation.  God's answer to their prayers is found in us who seek to do God's will in our lives, loving and doing as God's holy LGBT people.


Prayers

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 21: Book of Common Prayer, page 234).

Lord God,, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem; Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns, for ever and ever. Amen. (A Collect for Sundays, Book of Common Prayer, page 123).


O merciful Father, who taught us in your holy Word that you would not willingly afflict us, look with pity upon the sorrows of (name) for whom our prayers are offered. Remember her/him, O Lord, in mercy, nourish her/his soul with patience, comfort her/him with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon her/him, and give her/him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Someone in Trouble or Bereavment, Book of Common Prayer, page 831).

St. Matthew: The Tax Man Jesus Loved

Scripture Basis

Matthew 9:9-13 (NRSV)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Blog Reflection

How interesting and prophetic that the Apostle we are commemorating today was a tax collector.  The subject of fair taxation has been a subject in American politics for a long time now.  President Obama and the progressive democrats only want the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share so that Government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Public Education, repairing and maintaining our infrastructure and so forth will be adequately funded.  Republican and Tea Party folks do not want taxes raised suggesting that it affects the job creators.

The grim view of America's economy over the past 10 years suggests that when the wealthiest among us are given tax breaks so that they pay 15% while the middle class pays 35% of their income tax, jobs are not created.  A look at where the unemployment rate is tells that story really well.

Matthew also known as Levi as he was not loved by the community around him.  He was a tax collector who helped the Roman Empire collect money to help them line their pockets.  The tax collectors were often known as the "Publicans".  Interesting word that is missing the "Re" before it.  They were understood to be so detestable that the Pharisees, quite well known for their own wealth and prestige, refused to marry into a family that had publicans as members.  

Jesus called Matthew to repent of his sins as Jesus calls all of us.  Jesus challenges us in the midst of our certainty of life and believing, to be willing to be redeemed again and again. 

We are all raised by our respective families and communities to believe certain things, act in a particular way and think as others inspire us to think.  The Christian religion is not a faith based on a stagnation of principles and morals.  It is a relationship with God, through Jesus by which those who believe and worship as Christians are challenged to always learn things anew.  UCC Pastor Oby Ballinger of Community United Church of Christ in St. Paul Park always points out the in the Bible "God is always doing something new."

The New Testament Reading for today's Commemoration 2 Timothy 3: 14-17 says:

As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

This particular Scripture is a favorite for Christianists to defend Biblical literalism and using it to dehumanize the poor, women, people of different races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identity/expression etc.  Such a position assumes that any Christian or non-Christian for that matter who seeks to understand what the Bible means beyond how it is interpreted by Christianists are not heading Jesus' call to Matthew to repent and follow him.   This kind of use is incorrect and misleading.

The repentance Jesus calls Matthew to, Jesus calls all Christians to.  A repentance from the understanding that religion is not a weapon of mass destruction, nor is it an excuse for the injustice encouraged by the corruption of capitalism or racism, class discrimination, the termination of Troy Davis a black innocent man in Georgia. The Christian religion does not condone the violence of gender discrimination or heterosexism, and immigration bias. 

On the issue of capitalism Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite wrote in a Washington Post article:

"Capitalism isn’t “God’s Plan,” it’s an economic system that runs on the human desire for more, our own self-interest. This is not necessarily evil. It can actually be a very productive system, but it is not beneficent. In order for there to be good values in our economic life, capitalism needs to be regulated so it does not wreck the whole ship with unfettered greed."

Troy Davis who is scheduled to be executed at 7:00pm est today said: 
 

"The struggle for justice doesn't end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me. I'm in good spirits and I'm prayerful and at peace. But I will not stop fighting until I've taken my last breath."

The repentance Jesus invites Matthew and all who follow him, is a call to recognize and reverence God's presence and redemption in everyone including those who are different from ourselves.

Matthew responded to that message and allowed himself to be taught to live a different life than the one he lived.  Living only for himself and not for others.  Matthew received the grace of God to be able to continue learning all the God had planned for him and the Church.   Particularly those whom society and the Church sets on the sidelines not to be bothered with, but chastised through violent rhetoric and behavior.

God calls the Church and society to recognize the social diseases that continue to harm communities all around us today.  Jesus calls us to follow him, with compassion and a commitment to justice and equality for all of God's people.


Prayers

We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 244).


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).


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 826).

The Repeal of DADT: A Victory for Cross Carriers

Scriptural Basis

Mark 8:34-38 (NRSV)

Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Blog Reflection

I am writing this blog at the end of the first day that Don't Ask, Don't Tell has been officially repealed. At the stroke of 12:01am today the policy that has resulted in over 14,000 individuals being discharged from America's Military for being LGBT has ended.  Let the Church now say Amen!

As I finally get the chance to write about this, I was met with the reality that today's commemoration is for Martyrs.  More specifically John Coleridge Patteson.  Bishop Patteson and his companions were martyred in Melanasia for attempting to protect the natives of that land from slave traders.  In their passion for justice and seeking good, they gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

Many LGBT service members who faced discharge because of their sexual orientation know what it is to face injustice and be on the losing side.  Don't Ask, Don't Tell gave life to witch hunts in the military to dismiss LGBT women and men from service.  Many of them bravely came out only to be discharged.  Many of them experienced discrimination from defending the freedoms of the country that was now telling them that because of who they are, they can no longer serve.

Their sacrifices and devotion to speaking out led to this day.  The determination of the women and men of our armed forces who are LGBT and wanting to serve openly with dedication to the country they love, set the movement for equality and justice so that one day this day might come.

Doing the work of justice and equality is about carrying the cross.  It is about facing injustice as it is, not as we would like it to be.  The work calls us to forsake a life of comfort, and to confront the reality of the injustice and violence of discrimination so as to create an atmosphere of change through self-giving love.

The Martyrs that we commemorate today, along with many of them faced the injustices and evils only to lose a lot of what they loved, so that they may feed the hungry, clothe the naked, teach those wanting to learn and give life where there was death.  In so doing, they often gave up being popular and/or some level of personal prestige.  The issue was to serve those less fortunate that themselves, even to the point of death, so as to dedicate their lives to the cause of serving others.

The suffering on a personal level by many discharged members of the Military under DADT helped them tell their stories to those who would listen and write them down.  Though the policy led to much oppression for so many dedicated people, the dedication of the LGBT communities along with the women and men in our Military shows that when people come together to call for justice and equality, through sacrifice of time, talent and treasure, we can all do wonderful things.

This day is a victory for the Cross.  It shows that out of death there can be life.  Out of horrible defeat, there can come a victorious success. 

Today means that there is no reason to scape goat anyone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, language, health status, wealth status, ability to work or inability, and make them a target for bigotry and violence.  The Cross and our Baptismal Vows as Episcopalians charges us with the responsibility to "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human person." (BCP. Page 294). This includes LGBT people including those who wish to serve openly in the United States Military. 

God calls on all of us who claim to be Christian to take up our Cross and follow Jesus, by seeking justice for the oppressed and vulnerable.  The Cross calls us to self-less self giving love, to serve those who are different from ourselves.

As Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed today, may we all Christians say "We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world."  Amen.


Prayers,

Almighty God, you called your faithful servant John Coleridge Patteson and his companions to be witnesses and martyrs in the islands of Melanesia, and by their labors and sufferings raised up a people for your own possession: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon your Church in every land, that by the service and sacrifice of many, your holy Name may be glorified and your kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 595).

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those in the Armed Forces of our Country, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

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).

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost: God: The Generous Equal Opportunity Employer

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 20: 1-16 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, `You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, `Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, `You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, `Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Blog Reflection

On September 8th of this year President Barack Obama stood before a joint session of Congress to announce The American Jobs Act.  A plan that is designed to put Americans back to work. 

Since the economic collapse of 2008 and 2009 there remains as of August 2011 fourteen million Americans who are out of work.  The lines at employment offices get longer and longer.  Those in need of unemployment benefits also continues to grow.

Before The American Jobs Act can even get out of the gate already Republicans and corporate CEO's like the Koch Brothers and the United States Department of Commerce are working to lobby against the bill. 

Even with a Democratic super majority in 2009 and 2012 we could not pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to help insure that individuals are not hired or fired because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.   The Christianist organizations lobby against ENDA calling it "the bathroom bill" because of their bias about transgender individuals. 

There has been a lot of attention over these past couple of years concerning the issue of undocumented workers and the need for immigration reform. 

This year in particular there has been a lot of news about protecting the collective bargaining rights of labor union workers in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine and so on. 

The Gospel parable about the land owner and the workers reflects what a generous, equal opportunity employer is like.  The land owner represents God.  God seeks workers for the reign of God from all corners of the world.  God seeks individual people from every nation, race, religion, class, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, language, health and wealth status.

The work God invites all humankind to participate in, is not the work of exclusion or based on a bias of any kind.  The work is not based on whether we are liberal/progressive or a conservative.  The work God employs the people of the earth to is not based on how ambitious or intelligent someone is.

God has a job for all of God's people.  It is the work of sharing God's unconditional and all inclusive love through generous care and concern for all people.  The work God has for us to do is not the kind of job that we get fired from if we are not in agreement with Christianist organizations about how the Bible is to be interpreted.  Individuals who understand the Bible and God's inspired word and read it with a sense of continued wonder, research and interest that goes beyond what it reads so as to understand what it means in an inclusive way.   

The work the God wants you and I to help with welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer people. God invites Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Pagans, Hindus, Buddists, Unitarians, Baha'i and so on to participate in the work of justice and equality for all God's people in a world and Church that looks for every reason to exclude or marginalize.

In the reading today from Jonah 3:10-4:11 God had called Jonah to a particular task to spare the City if Nineveh by calling the King and all the land to repentance.  Upon hearing how angry God was at the City for their acts of injustice, the King and city repented and his land was spared.  God saw the change of heart and relented of the calamity it was said God would bring upon the city. 

I personally do not believe God brings natural calamity upon cities or peoples, but in the days of when the text was written, they may have believed that, or written such to get the affect they wanted. 

God had to chill the heart of Jonah. To understand that the work on Nineveh was finished.  As God cares for Jonah through the example of the bush, so God cares for God's people whom God has redeemed.

This narrative is not unlike how many Christianists view the work of LGBTQ people and many others marginalized by the Church and society.  The work for equality cannot be seen for the beautiful and holy work that it is, because of the opinions formed by careless and erroneous interpretations and uses of the Bible.   The Bible is not a weapon of mass destruction toward anyone that is not white, Christian, male, heterosexual and American born.   God's word is about inclusion and justice for all people.  Such is the work the God employs God's people to do.

Not only is God the generous, equal opportunity employer.  God also offers benefits that are out of this world.   The benefits God offers to those whom God employs is the same as anyone God employs and when God employs them.  God's benefits are inclusive, unconditional love.  Forgiveness of all our sins.  Conversion of heart and mind.  The opportunity to be incorporated into God's family that is all humankind.  The benefits that God imparts on us, do not discriminate nor do they separate any person or people based on human bias or denominational conventions or leadership. 

In the reign of God, there are no work place politics, or corporate owners who get all the tax breaks while the middle class and/or poor pay the highest price.  People not corporations get first place in God's reign.  Violence is never the will of God. There are no disqualifying references, nor are those who work less vs those who work more less valued than anyone else.  In God's reign there are no dominionists who promote one religion or way of living, loving or being at the expense of others who are different.

God is the generous, equal opportunity employer with benefits that are out of this world.

Anyone ready to work?


Prayer

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 20, Book of Common Prayer, page 234).

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer 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 and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Unemployed, Book of Common Prayer, page 824).

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. (Prayer for Sound Government, Book of Common Prayer, page 821).

Jesus Said: Blessed Are You

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 5: 1-10 (NRSV)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blog Reflection

The Christian religion and consequently Jesus Christ have been getting such a bad name.  Christianists, arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans/Episcopalians/Orthodox etc, all make Jesus into the "righteous judge" with every scare tactic they can find. 

Among the many points I would like to make regarding the famous Sermon on the Mount is to recognize that it was among the first that Jesus gave after being baptized and his temptation.  At least that is how it appears in Matthew's Gospel.  I do not know if it was in fact placed in the right spot, or if it was one of those mistakes made by a scribe or publisher or whoever.  But, the fact that it is so close to the beginning of Jesus' public ministry means it has a special significance.

Jesus does not begin by warning women not to have abortions.  Jesus' public ministry did not begin with a discourse against homosexuality.   Jesus does not promise a life without difficulties as many evangelistic preachers do, turning Jesus and the Christian Faith into that "all new thing for only $99.00" sort of thing.

Jesus begins by saying that those who are poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry and thirsty for what is right, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker and those persecuted for the cause of doing what is right are blessed.  Jesus starts by calling out the marginalized and those who have been excluded to tell them that they are blessed.

I think we could easily suggest that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are among those who are poor in spirit, that are blessed. So often LGBTQ people experience the invasion of our sacred space where we are intimate with God, our lovers and ourselves, by unreceptive individuals so as to rob the spirituality that makes us who we are.  We saw this last year with the suicide of Tyler Clementi last October, because students had invaded his private sacred space.

Last October following Tyler Clementi's death, in a joint statement by the Episcopal Bishops of New Jersey they wrote:

We want to call attention to another, potentially deeper, issue here. It is the invasion of intimacy. Intimacy is a holy place within every human being; an innermost sanctuary where we develop our ultimate beliefs and values, nurture our closest relationships and maintain our deepest commitments. No one has the right to disclose that intimacy for someone else without consent. Such a violation is tantamount to the desecration of a sacred space. It is, in fact, a sacred space. It is the territory of the soul.

Jesus tells all of us who are poor in spirit that we are blessed.  The reign of God is promised to us who seek a place where we are loved as we are.

LGBT and immigrants are often among those who mourn so much because we work so hard to gain the acceptance of church leaders and achieving equality in marriage, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as of Tuesday, September 20.  But, as we gain many victories, we also suffer bitter defeats such as the effort to repeal SB48 the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act in California.

Yet Jesus tells those of us who mourn that we are blessed and will find comfort.

LGBT people and women, people of color and Native Americans demonstrate what it means to be meek.  We know that here in America, we have suffered greatly at the hands of white, male, European, Christians.  We face injustices, yet we continue to work with many who are not tolerant or inclusive so that we may work towards acceptance and inclusiveness for everyone.  Jesus said, blessed are the meek.

LGBT people, along with others who are marginalized or vilified are among those who hunger and thirst and desire to be peacemakers.  LGBT people have purity of heart for we seek to love another with the gift of our sexuality as people respected, supported with care and concern.  Jesus said, we are blessed.

God sent Jesus to tell all of us who know what it means to be slandered and hurt because we are doing good for ourselves and others, that there is a place in God's heart for us.  We are not alone.  God's perfect revelation of self has told all of us, that God desires so much good for us. 

As Christians we are blessed to be able to share the goodness and graciousness of God with everyone around us.  God has gifted each of us with a blessing by which God can spread out God's huge arms and embrace all humankind with mercy, justice, peace and salvation. 

God has told us that we are blessed.  Can we live and help those marginalized by the Church and society as people who are blessed, by telling them that they are blessed?


Prayers

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 19, Book of Common Prayer, page 233).

Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen. (A Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 123).

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.  Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your mercies sake. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 124).

Holy Cross Day: Jesus Includes Lifting LGBT People To Himself

Scriptural Basis

John 12:31-36a (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light."

Blog Reflection

As Christians we know the Cross as the universal symbol of our religion.  Of all the subjects written about in the history of the Christian Church the mystery of what the Cross means is the subject of books, prayers and whole cultures for centuries.

One such image of the Cross that has come to mean a lot for many Americans, is this image of the Cross made out of the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
 
What does the Cross mean that Jesus gave his life on it?  What does the Cross teach us about the real world we live in?  What should our response be to what the Cross has come to mean in our own lives?   These and many questions continue to be asked among Christians.

However, the question that really needs to be asked in our time is what the Cross does not mean.

The Cross does not mean that Christianity supercedes all other religions in the world.

The Cross does not mean that all Christians must conform to one understanding only of the Christian faith.

The Cross really is not a peace symbol.  A tremendous act of violence took place there. Not only for Jesus, but for many people who were oppressed by the Roman Empire.  Crucifixion was an act of capital punishment, but does not make capital punishment an acceptable measure for dealing with crime.

The Cross is not an excuse for violence, prejudice and the dehumanization of other peoples, races, classes, religions, philosophies, cultures, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities and/or expressions.

The Cross does not condone the denial of health care to millions of sick and suffering people all across America.  Nor does the Cross condone people shouting: "Yeah, let them die" when asked if it is okay to tell a 30 year man that he will have no health care while in a coma, because he did not buy his own during a Presidential debate.

Nor does the Cross compliment an outrageous Texas Judicial ruling that the husband of a same-sex couple may not leave his children with his husband because he is "not related."

In the Gospel narrative chosen for this holy day in our Church Tradition, Jesus is talking about throwing down the evil powers of this world, by drawing all to himself.  Jesus draws all to himself in his total act of self-giving love that he exercised not only by the act of allowing himself to die on the Cross. Jesus also demonstrated a life of selfless and sacrificial love by what he did through out his life.   Jesus healed the sick.  Raised the dead.  Welcomed strangers from places outside of his own community, who had been marginalized.  Jesus made deep friendships with women and honored their faith and courage.   Jesus healed the servant and the same sex partner of the Roman Centurion (see Mt. 8:5-13) who would later stand by the Cross and acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God.  Jesus fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah 56: 3-5 by recognizing the eunuchs (the gay men) of his time. (See Mt. 19: 10-12).

God desires to draw all people to God's Self, not as others would like them to be, but as they are.  Different ways of living and/or behaving do not prevent God from drawing such people to God's Self.  Sexual orientation does not prohibit God from drawing a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or questioning person to God's Self unless they change.  The decision of two people of the same-gender joining their hearts and lives together in marriage does not keep God from gathering them to God's heart and celebrating their love and the holiness of their life together.


All too often the Cross has been the weapon of choice along with the Bible, to become agents of division among diverse people.  Church leaders, vestries, conferences and ministers can find every use of the Cross to exclude people, but we do not see them using the Cross as the reason every person must be included.

In our Gospel today, Jesus sees his work and mission as one of drawing all to himself.  To do something that changes cultures of hostility, oppression and darkness.  Jesus wants to draw all to himself so that all may know that God loves everyone unconditionally and all-inclusively.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for Holy Cross Day, Book of Common Prayer, page 244).

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).


Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 833).

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: What! Forgivenss on the Anniversary of September 11th?

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, `Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Blog Reflection

The tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 does not quite seem the right Sunday for the reading from Matthew.  Yet, that is what the Revised Common Lectionary chose.  Not only does that mean a group of people planned on this Gospel to be used today before they knew what date it might fall on, it also means that there is something important that we should think about.   

When a horrible tragedy like the attacks on September 11th, 2001 happen and we are consumed by sadness, grief, loss.  While we are remembering with gratitude those who gave their lives so others could live.  Even while we cry again even after ten years of remembering of maybe trying to forget what happened on that terrible day.  The grace of a compassionate God is still speaking, calling and consoling.

In the days and weeks following September 11, 2001 something happened that rarely takes place.  People from all walks of life for just  while forgot our differences and came together because we recognized that each of us was touched by the other person's sorrow, loss and fear.  While one person hurts deeply from things she/he cannot understand, all of us really suffer together.

The first reading for today's Liturgy is the story from Exodus 14: 19-31.

The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

A story was written somewhere and I regret I do not know the location, that after the Egyptians were killed by the sea, the angels looked at God and God was crying.  When the angels asked God why God was crying, God answered: "The Egyptians are my people too."

Regardless of our race, class, wealth status, health status, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, language etc, we are all created in God's image.  God has placed the masterpiece of God's creative beauty as an important part of every human being.  Whatever our differences and/or disagreements may be, there is no situation with which God cannot work and perform acts of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. 

The human race is so full of violence, disease, torture, death, prejudice and class warfare that we do not stop, think and act with a sense of respect and compassion towards those who are different from ourselves.  But on September 11, 2001 and the days and weeks that followed, people from all walks of life overlooked them, and embraced one another. 

This afternoon Jason and I attended a ceremony of remembrance for September 11th.  It was organized by Minnesotans Standing Together.  Individuals from every religious tradition, political position, musical style etc came together to remember our diversity and unity as one people.

Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman of Temple Israel in Minneapolis told the story about a Muslim man who had fallen on his back after the first plane hit the first tower of the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11/01.  He was unable to get up.  People walked past him and left him. Until a man who was an Orthodox Jew stopped, offered his hand and helped me get up and walk to safety.  Two traditions that had a history of misinformation and misunderstanding were able to put all of it aside so that someone who was hurt could be helped. 

As I regularly write about in my blog, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are human beings like everyone else.  Among them are people of faith, and others who prefer to practice no religion at all.   Among LGBTQ people are folks who are out and others who are closeted.  LGBTQ people are rich, poor, intelligent, simple minded, terrific spouses and others not so good. 

Yet even as much of the smoke and debris from September 11, 2001 has dissipated and the memories of individuals of all walks of life lingers in our hearts and minds, there still remains a prejudice and a desire for political, social and religious based oppression.  Such oppression flies in the face of the peaceful standing together that Americans of all walks of life shared that day, and in the months after.  The sacrifice of those many people looks like we still have not learned the lessons September 11th was about. 

What our Gospel challenges us to do, is to face the reality of what we all experience.  We all experience grief and hate at the hands and mouths of others.  There are people that are just way too cruel, even with the best religious zeal to understand and appreciate who we are.  Some people are not happy, unless they are doing all they can to make others as miserable as they are. Each one of us can be one of those people.  Others very close to us, could have been one of those who was cruel, miserable etc.

God in God's merciful grace seeks to help us through the pain of our experiences, and find healing, consolation and yes, forgiveness for us and those who hurt us.  Some of us are better at it than others.  There are those that can let go, but not quite forget.  There are those who carry wounds so deep, that they just cannot face seeing themselves on the inside. Yet, they like the rest of us are God's loved children.

Dean Spenser Simrill at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral gave us a good idea today.  The lamenting Psalms can help us reach inside ourselves and allow us to lament our loses. When we lament what we have lost, God works with it to help us heal and eventually forgive.. If we try to do it all on our own, we won't heal as we would like to.

The best lesson we can all learn today comes from Paul's letter to the Romans 14: 1-12.

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, 

and every tongue shall give praise to God." 

So then, each of us will be accountable to God. 

 

 

Prayers

O God, because without you we are not able to please you mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 19, Book of Common Prayer, page 233). 

Almighty and everlasting God, pillar of fire and cloud to the Israelites, your command is for justice between the nations.  Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, your word is forgiveness even upon the Cross.  One this day, we remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the conflicts that have followed in this last decade.  Help us to grieve and remember, to forgive and find peace, to seek justice and courage.  In all we do, give us the faith of your servant Paul, to know that we are yours in living and dying.  We ask these things, O God, that we and all creation might be reconciled to you.  Amen. (Prayer Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11). 

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).

 

Labor Day: Celebrating Work and the Worker: Not the Profit

Scriptural Basis 

1 Corinthians 3:10-14
 

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward.

Matthew 6:19-24

Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Blog Reflection

Labor Day is about the celebration of work and the worker, not the profit.  We celebrate today that work is a cooperation with God's creative action.  Whether a person is gainfully employed or not, the work we do on a daily basis even if all we do is volunteer or take care of our families at home we share in God's work of continuing to create and beautify the earth.

The good folks at Box Turtle Bulletin did a terrific job of writing about how Labor Day became the great holiday it did.   The history of the coal miners in West Virginia and how the workers and their property were owned by the company store  Country music star Tennessee Ernie Ford made these events famous through his hit song 16 tons.    Labor Day was created to recognize the dignity and integrity of both work and the worker and the need for good wages, health care, time off for rest and relaxation so that workers could do a better job.  Out of such a movement the rising up of labor unions and the incredible work they have done on behalf of workers continues to lift up and dignify the importance of those who labor in their work for the benefit of all as well as their own homes

This past year we have witnessed an unparalleled attack on workers and labor unions.  The activity of Gov. Scott Walker and the Tea Party movement to make public workers from teachers to garbage collectors, fire fighters, police officers, those who keep our streets clean and operate public transportation appear like the villains responsible for the economic collapse of these past few years was so horrific and cowardly.  What has happened is nothing short of valuing profits and gains over the dignity and integrity of workers and working.

The Christian Faith recognizes individuals and the things that cannot be seen as fundamentally imperative.  Money and profits without the recognition of the dignity and integrity of every human person cannot provide stability or even lasting wealth.  Wanting to harbor unlimited wealth and control those who are fortunate enough to live in their own homes, put their children through school so they can get and keep a good paying job and/or even affect the equal rights of those marginalized by the Church and society do not show an example of Christian spirituality or faithfulness.

Both Paul and Jesus tell us to work for the things that are important. To not store up for ourselves those things which others can steal from us or for a foundation that is not secure.  The goodness contained within individuals of good will and those who hope for a better tomorrow by which those who are hungry have enough to eat, and those without homes can live somewhere attainable and sustainable without greed and inequality to invade have the heart of the Gospel at it's core.   The recognition that all individuals regardless of their race, class, color, religion, sexual orientation, wealth status, health status, age, gender, gender identity/expression, language, culture are to be respected and offered the opportunity to work for their potential has the Christian Faith's mission at heart.

That is why I personally believe that any individual, denomination, political group or candidate who sides with the efforts to take away the collective bargaining rights of labor unions does not represent the holiness of Jesus Christ and the Church.  Many individuals who have sided with Republican and Tea Party motives in this matter are also Christianists and/or dominionists. They seek to recreate the Christian Religion and the world around them according to their understanding of the Christian religion.  Including the continued degrading of women, LGBT, immigrants, Muslims and many others through violent stereotyping and creating fear among people who will not think independently about such issues. In addition, these groups have also bought into the worst type of capitalism and corporate elitism we have seen in many years.

Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters.  To serve capitalism and wealth, while promoting a Gospel of hate, exclusion and violence is certainly serving more than one master.

The work of activism that brings about the hope that all can share in the goodness of all the God gives us, including freedom from political, religious and social oppression has everything to do with storing up for ourselves the treasures that can last beyond this world into the next.

The reign the God offers humankind is not one of oppression and suppression.  The hope that God offers through God's perfect revelation of Self in Jesus Christ is one by which everyone respects and loves each other, and together we serve God through each other.  God's reign offers simplicity by which the resources God provides to one person, are shared with all people.  In God's reign there is no dominionism, only love for God, neighbor and self.  No labels.  No stigmatizing.  No one group dominating themselves over another.  In God's reign everyone has a home and everyone who has served others for the common good find everything they worked so hard for.  The faith of God's people find peace at last.  No more wars or political mudslinging. 

As we begin to move from Summer to Fall, we also prepare for the end of another Church year.  The work towards welcoming God's reign that Christians have so long preached and worked for, won't find it's fulfillment through dominionism at the expense of others that do not match our standards.  God's reign is inclusive and a place where unconditional love finds no better abode. 

May our Labor Day celebration with it's rest and opportunity to reset ourselves, help us to recognize the dignity and integrity of the work and workers that God gives to all of us.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Labor Day, Book of Common Prayer, page 261).

Heavenly Father, whose Blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who following his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Service, Book of Common Prayer, page 260).


Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer 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 and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unemployed, Book of Common Prayer, page 824).

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Correcting the Church: Even Orthodoxy Can Get It Wrong.

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Blog Reflection

This past week I found myself in a conflict with a dear friend.  The conflict was about taking a good hard look at the historical traditions of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  Which, I do in fact believe in.  In a post in a group labeled: "Liberal Anglo-Catholic" my friend wrote the following words.

By Catholicism we mean the teaching of the undivided Church. The seven great Ecumenical Councils (the seventh, Nicaea II, met in A.D. 787) are the basis of radical orthodoxy. Catholic means universal in the sense of whole and undivided. We hold to the traditions of the ancient Church, as carried on in Anglicanism and Eastern Orthodoxy. 

As I read those words, though fond of them I am, I responded as I thought I should as follows.

And let's not pretend to be ignorant of the fact that in its quest to be an "undivided Church" it is responsible for many evils then as it is now. Catholicism does not hold a monopoly on truth.

Sometimes, even for more progressive and liberal Christians, even those who call themselves Christian Socialists, Catholicism and doctrine can become an all too comfortable hiding place from the realities that brought about much of what Christians believe today.  It is easy to recite the Nicene Creed and enjoy the rich worship tradition contained in the Book of Common Prayer. Except for one thing. Catholic dogma though rich with truths in and of themselves, are not given to us so as to hide from the real world through which the Tradition of the Church has arrived at where we are now.  

In his book: Gay Unions: In Light of Scripture, Tradition and Reason, the Rev. Canon Gray Temple wrote: 

"Tradition" is on of the reifications we warned ourselves against earlier in order to be clear in our thinking.  The word is easily used in ways that ignore its complexity and fluidity.  Let's remind ourselves that abstractions start out as a helpful and necessary way to save time; it's more efficient to say "politics"  than to list every candidate we know of and all their known actions.  But when "politics" gets reified, we forget individuals who participate in it and we lose its connection with citizenship. We should not permit reification to economize thought. An uncritical embrace of tradition results in what Berger calls alienation.  Part of growing up intellectually--as a citizen--is to de-alienate to the best extent possible.

Before examining particular traditions, let's reflect a bit on the value of tradition and how we sometimes corrupt its use.

Tradition is to communities what memory is to an individual. (Page 101).

There is a tendency in Catholic circles to celebrate our "oneness" in what we believe. Yet forget how very divided we are.  Among the many steps towards becoming one community is to understand that every individual within the community is different, thinks differently and understands differently. Diversity is a good thing. It is when we attempt to make the Church more inclusive is when suddenly people run back to "tradition" as a safe haven for not addressing problems within ourselves.  

I believe that at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus' instructions to the disciples today, is the desire to create and nurture communities within the Church with a recognition of the need for the ability to reconcile differences through working together.  To strengthen each other when we have our disagreements, by dealing with conflict through careful counsel and as a faithful witness to our faith.   

The problem for the Christian Church is that we have grown oh much to fond of our Catholic/Orthodoxy to allow the Holy Spirit to challenge us to be open to learning new things, so as to re-evaluate our long standing tradition of how we think of women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  Among the ways we must be open to the Holy Spirit about such things as sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is through listening to the stories of those Catholics, Anglicans, Orthodox, Evangelicals, etc who are LGBT.   The stories LGBT people have to tell of what it has been like to grow up being a Christian and discovering that we are of a different sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression in a Church and world that does not want to accept us or respect our need for equality and inclusion.

This past week a wonderful person named Ron Bates wrote an exceptional story about what it was like to grow up Catholic and gay in Minnesota.

For years and years, I would prostrate myself on the floor and ask God to change me. Maybe if I just pray more, fast more, do more "works of charity," the male attraction will go away.

After more than 30 years of trying to "burn" the evil out of me, I finally came out at age fifty four. God finally broke through to my heart of hearts and said, "I love you just as you are. You are praying for healing, but you are not sick!"

Our God does not change. God is God always. And God was with me always. After all the self-hatred and foibles of life, God was still there waiting for me.

At that moment, the shame and guilt I had felt for years left -- once and for always. If Pope Benedict had been standing right there to tell me I was "disordered," I would have said to him, "You are wrong. God made me and loves me just as I am."

   
In an article found in Pink News, Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire said: "God celebrates gay people." 

“There’s no doubt in my mind that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are part of God’s obvious delight in diversity. We see it all throughout creation, why wouldn’t we have it in humankind?

“I believe that the church has gotten this wrong, just as we once used scripture to justify slavery and the subjugation of women. It wasn’t too long ago in this country that women wore hats to church because St Paul said a woman’s place is to keep her head covered and her mouth shut! We kept women out of the ordination process because of that! Sexual orientation is something God celebrates and I believe that will become the mainstream Christian understanding before not too very long.” 

The Church is great at preaching the need for peace and caring for the poor and the marginalized.  But, when the Church beginning with it's leaders and many devoted lay people is confronted with the need to change an understanding, it takes an awful long time and some very un-Christian things said and done on the way to getting there.  This is one part of the Tradition of the Christian Church that still to this day has not entirely changed for the better.

It is totally right that LGBT people are challenging Christianists and others in terms of the issues of immigration, health care, and many issues. It is important that the dominionists realize that taking over the world to suggest that only radical right wing, Biblical literal thinking that is based on opinions, not educated facts not become the only Christianity the world knows. The Christian message is not about domination or even the establishment of one world religion at the expense of anyone and anything else.  Christianists and many who listen to them are not going to know or understand the damage they do to the Christian religion unless progressive Christians and even Atheists point it out.  

Catholicism and orthodoxy are terrific.  But, they are not the "rock" to hide behind so that Christians can excuse themselves from doing their part for the poor and marginalized. Christians are called to embrace all people and share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ through faithfulness and charity towards all people, including those different from ourselves.  Sometimes Catholicism and/or orthodoxy become an all too handy excuse to scapegoat and stigmatize. That is hardly a proper use of Tradition.

How can we challenge the Church in this 21st Century?  What ways can we challenge Christians misinformed by Biblical literalism and the stigmatization of minorities and others to consider a change of heart and behavior?  How can we challenge Christians or even ourselves who enjoy hiding behind Catholicism and/or orthodoxy to live the meaning of what we believe by becoming more inclusive?

The Holy Spirit will help us to find the way.  The life Jesus led is the way that leads to a greater understanding and self knowledge.   Let us not make the mistake of every thinking there is no more that we can learn, so as to grow, so as to better influence the Church and society around us.

In so doing we can fulfill what St. Paul said in his letter to the Romans.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."  (Romans 13: 8-10).

Prayers

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 18, Book of Common Prayer, page 233).

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).

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).