Scriptural Basis
Matthew 5: 1-10 (NRSV)
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:
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
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).
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