Today's Scripture Readings
Colossians 1:11-20 (NRSV)
John 6:57-63 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
Clement of Alexandria was known as a liberal thinker in the early Church.
At the time that Clement lived there was a heresy that was sweeping the Christian Church. The heresy of the Gnosticism that held that there was salvation in knowledge. This knowledge of salvation was "through a secret and rather esoteric knowledge accessible only to a few. It was salvation from the world father than salvation of the world."
In the discussion of Mark 10:17-31 with Christ's words: "Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." His interpretation sanctioned the "right use" of material goods and wealth." (HWHM page 102).
This explanation of Clement's work to better understand God's salvation of the world, tells me that the Word that is to discern the truth, is not finished with the completion of the Bible, nor the teachings of any particular church body. This understanding is what was meant in John 16:13 when Jesus says: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." Truth in the Word (Jesus) of God is still being discerned.
Our Scripture reading from Paul tells us that all who believe in Jesus are enabled by God to "share in the inheritance of the Saints in light." God "has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins."
There is light and hope and salvation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people (LGBTQ). We are not in darkness because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, or because we exercise our sexuality in ways that communicate love for other people.
Jesus is still the "image of the invisible God" and communicates God's love and power of salvation through not only LGBTQ people, but also many others who are different than the status quo of what most consider to be "normal."
Jesus came among us as God's Bread of Life to feed all those who desire salvation and holiness through the Christian experience. LGBT people with all that is good about us, draw closer to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Body of Christ. LGBTQ people challenge Christians settled on things being as they think they should be, to further consider and discern the truth in the Word about a sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression that cannot be changed through ex-gay and/or reparative therapy. Yet, LGBTQ people come to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Body of Christ seeking the opportunity to be included among God's holy people.
Discerning God's Word about the truth is not found in our convenient Pandoras Boxes. It is also found in the real life experiences of actual people in the situations they find themselves. And they are not all neatly compacted to echo the traditions of the Biblical authors. And things understood and done that do not make sense to what is written in Scriptures, are not evil "in and of themselves" (hence the word: intrinsic, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church). Truth is also found in the third stool used in Anglican Theology: reason which also consists of human experiences. And no, the Bible and/or Church authority cannot define that all the time for all people.
How are we discerning God's Word where ever truth is found? Are we open to the Holy Spirit continuing to guide us in all truth?
Prayers
Colossians 1:11-20 (NRSV)
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
John 6:57-63 (NRSV)
Jesus said to the Jews, "Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Blog Reflection
Clement of Alexandria was known as a liberal thinker in the early Church.
At the time that Clement lived there was a heresy that was sweeping the Christian Church. The heresy of the Gnosticism that held that there was salvation in knowledge. This knowledge of salvation was "through a secret and rather esoteric knowledge accessible only to a few. It was salvation from the world father than salvation of the world."
In the discussion of Mark 10:17-31 with Christ's words: "Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." His interpretation sanctioned the "right use" of material goods and wealth." (HWHM page 102).
This explanation of Clement's work to better understand God's salvation of the world, tells me that the Word that is to discern the truth, is not finished with the completion of the Bible, nor the teachings of any particular church body. This understanding is what was meant in John 16:13 when Jesus says: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." Truth in the Word (Jesus) of God is still being discerned.
Our Scripture reading from Paul tells us that all who believe in Jesus are enabled by God to "share in the inheritance of the Saints in light." God "has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins."
There is light and hope and salvation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people (LGBTQ). We are not in darkness because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, or because we exercise our sexuality in ways that communicate love for other people.
Jesus is still the "image of the invisible God" and communicates God's love and power of salvation through not only LGBTQ people, but also many others who are different than the status quo of what most consider to be "normal."
Jesus came among us as God's Bread of Life to feed all those who desire salvation and holiness through the Christian experience. LGBT people with all that is good about us, draw closer to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Body of Christ. LGBTQ people challenge Christians settled on things being as they think they should be, to further consider and discern the truth in the Word about a sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression that cannot be changed through ex-gay and/or reparative therapy. Yet, LGBTQ people come to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Body of Christ seeking the opportunity to be included among God's holy people.
Discerning God's Word about the truth is not found in our convenient Pandoras Boxes. It is also found in the real life experiences of actual people in the situations they find themselves. And they are not all neatly compacted to echo the traditions of the Biblical authors. And things understood and done that do not make sense to what is written in Scriptures, are not evil "in and of themselves" (hence the word: intrinsic, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church). Truth is also found in the third stool used in Anglican Theology: reason which also consists of human experiences. And no, the Bible and/or Church authority cannot define that all the time for all people.
How are we discerning God's Word where ever truth is found? Are we open to the Holy Spirit continuing to guide us in all truth?
Prayers
O God of unsearchable wisdom, you gave your servant Clement grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, the source of all truth: Grant to your church the same grace to discern your Word wherever truth is found; through Jesus Christ our unfailing light, 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 103).
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Second Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 211).
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