Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Advice from Someone Who Loves Us

Today's Scripture Readings

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (NRSV)

Moses said, The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." Then the LORD replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak-- that prophet shall die."

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NRSV)

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Blog Reflection

Listen carefully, my child, to my instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.  This is advice from one who loves you; welcome it and faithfully put it into practice.  The labor of obedience will bring you back to God from whom you had drifted through the sloth of disobedience.  This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong, and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for Jesus, the Christ (Prologue, Rule of Benedict, vs 1-3).

A priest once said in a sermon: "I do not have a problem with the concept of obedience.  I have a problem with the practice of obedience."  As a guy who has Asperger's Syndrome, I have no problem with the concept of obedience.  I may or may not have a problem with the practice of obedience.  I have a problem with the authority figure to whom I am suppose to be obedient.

As a gay man who struggled for many years with my sexual orientation, my relationship with God and the Church.  I have a real problem with those who use their Ecclesiastical "authority" and "their understanding" of the "authority" of Scripture to judge my relationship with God as injured or even destroyed because I am gay.   Religious "authorities" have misused their so called "power" to manipulate LGBT individuals and other groups of people to believing, thinking and acting as they do.   

So, the idea of authority and what obedience is to mean for me is a counterfeit understanding.  To better understand, I need both the Rule of St. Benedict and today's readings to help me put authority and obedience in their proper places.  That is why the opening to the Prologue from the Rule is such a powerful reflection, especially in light of today's Gospel.

What does the word "authority" mean when Christians think of the Person of Jesus Christ?  The Greek word for "authority" is "exousia".  The word is literally translated as meaning: "out of being."  It comes from a full sense of self.  A realization of who I am.  When I speak with authority according to the Greek word "exousia" I am talking from the point of who I am. 

The people who were listening to God in the reading from the Hebrew Scriptures are hearing a prophecy about the future.  God is going to send someone who can say everything that God has to say to God's people.  It will be said with a sense of authority.  The authority will be a historical change that will mean a pivot from one direction to another. 

As Christians, we understand this to be a prophecy about Jesus.  The Jesus who came as a Jew like his own people.  Not as one who came to suppress the Jewish people into another religion or they would go to hell.  As Christians we recognize for ourselves that Jesus was God's perfect revelation.  Knowing that alone is not enough to convince us of what is being said in the Gospel.

The people who were listening to Jesus and witnessing him casting out the evil spirits, were amazed that he was speaking "out of his being."  Jesus was not only able to say such things, he was also a living example about that of which he spoke.  The religious authorities of his day had become so wound up with keeping the rituals and their own reputation among each other and the people, that living the meaning of their faith had lost it's focus.

Sound familiar?

We hear a lot today about how Jesus Christ is suppose to bring redemption and forgiveness for the sin of adultery.  We are all expected to just let go of the media stories of presidential candidates with a reputation of continuing to harass women and totally disregard their dignity.  Forgiveness of sins relieves us of the guilt of our past actions.  It does not excuse us from repentance and it does not mean we don't take seriously an effort to "cast out the evil spirits" of sexism, racism, class discrimination and sexually violent behavior.  It also does not give us license to act like the Pharisee in Luke 18: 9-14 who stands their exalting himself against others who are not quite as "good" as he is.  All of us are broken human beings in one way or another.  It is from these things that we are suppose to grow into mature people. None of us are any better than anyone else.  We are all still earthed. 

St. Benedict, a holy man totally aware of his own weaknesses, admits as he calls others to return from the sloth of disobedience, to embrace the call to a new way of life.  Whether inside or outside of a monastery, St. Benedict calls us to a change of heart and a "conversion of manners".  To place others before ourselves.  To be understanding and compassionate with those who are different from ourselves.  We are to take the focus off of ourselves to serve the other out of reverence for Christ.  We do this from a complete acceptance of ourselves, placing all our hope in the God who accepts and redeems everyone.  No exceptions. No exclusions.

We see religious "authorities" all around us talking about passing constitutional amendments to take away the rights of LGBT people to marry the person they love.  It would all be laughable, if they also weren't using even more violent rhetoric and basing their work on false claims about LGBT people.  All being done in the "authority" of the Scripture and some kind of ecclesiastical "right" to look down on others. Suggesting that spreading hate and division is some how "compassionate." 

Jesus is teaching out of his being as one who is a living model of generosity and mercy.  Jesus lives as one who welcomes the marginalized and seeks those injured and held back by oppression. He's got his whole person open to the call of God and is able to speak directly to evil in such a way, that it has to go.  It cannot stay in the presence of such awesome love as the Holy One of God.  People marvel at what they hear and see. Now, in front of them is one who speaks out of his being, while he lives out of his being.

Obedience to God's will is not a matter of being a wise thinker or a well spoken theologian.  It has little to do with quoting from the Bible along with the Book, verse number and version.  Obedience in the Christian context is about being willing to serve the needs of someone else ahead of our own.  We obey, not because we want to avoid punishment.  We obey because the one who calls us to serve is someone who loves us.  The last thing we would want to do is offend someone who loves us so completely and without condition or exclusion.

We cannot be obedient to God if we are trying to hide or change the very essence of who we are as LGBT people.  We cannot serve the best needs of another person, expecting to reverence Christ who is present in the other person, if we cannot first be honest with God, others and ourselves about who we are.  Because Jesus spoke and lived out of his being as the face of God among humankind.  He wore no masks.  He did not run away.  He faced who he was in the fullness of his being and lived it openly and freely.  He loved differently.  He was crucified for it. 

Even if it means we are risking all, we will cast out the darkness of discrimination and violence when we act and speak out of our being as LGBT people of faith. This means understanding our sexuality as a gift from God.  Using it as a means to love and receive love. Exercising it in healthy and wholesome relationships. Reverencing the Presence of Christ in our partner(s) by serving their needs ahead of our own.  It is also an opportunity to help other people know how good LGBT people are.  That we honor and love other people.  We do not use them. We regard every person as a sacred being, worthy of our respect and to treat them with care and concern. Seeking their peace and justice and respecting their dignity.  Doing all, of course, with God's help. 

How do we accept this story as advice from the God who loves us? 

How do we do the work of speaking and acting out of our being so that we can cast out the unclean spirits of oppression, injustice and prejudice from our world?

What ever our answer is, as it will be different for all of us, may we be a people who act with radical hospitality, to bring about healing and reconciliation in the Church and society.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in
heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of
your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

Gracious Father, we pray for they 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 thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (For the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 824).

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many
voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where
many listen and write what many read; that they may do their
part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and
its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those Who Influence Public Opinion, Book of Common Prayer, p. 827)   

 

St. John Chrysostom: Tradition with It's Successes and Failures

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 1: 4-10 (NRSV)

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me,

"Do not say, `I am only a boy';

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you,

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."

Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me,

"Now I have put my words in your mouth.

See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,

to pluck up and to pull down,

to destroy and to overthrow,

to build and to plant."

Luke 21: 12-15 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict."

Blog Reflection

I have a love/hate relationship with St. John Chrysostom. 

I love the contributions Chrysostom made to all of the good theological and spiritual development of the Christian Faith.  Chrysostom made fantastic contributions to the early Church, many of them are celebrated in the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.  We Episcopalians end each morning and evening prayer during the Daily Office with the Prayer of St. Chrysostom.  The words are beautiful and inspiring. 

I do not hate Chrysostom himself.  I hate the contributions he made to the development of the early Churches' position on human sexuality.   Chrysostom believed that all of the sexual passions of human beings are flawed and lead to some kind of spiritual destruction.  Even though Chrysostom in his commentary about the "natural" and "unnatural" use of human sexuality referred to in Romans 1: 26 and 27, he admits that homosexual orientation is natural (See Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality by John Boswell, p.109) and his analysis of Sodom and Gomorrah agrees that it was destroyed for their lack of hospitality (p.98), Chrysostom condemned homosexuality itself as being even worse than fornication between heterosexual people.  You can see some of Chrysostom's writings in John Boswell's book in the appendix on pages 359 - 363.  How unfortunate for Chrysostom and the future of Christian Tradition. 

At the same time, I am also reminded that my beloved St. Benedict adopted many of the ideas of St. John Chrysostom with regard to human sexuality.  Yet, I cherish the Rule of St. Benedict and it's focus on "preferring nothing whatsoever to Christ".  Just as I can love St. Benedict and disagree with his position about "giving into bodily temptations" so to speak, I can also disagree with St. John Chrysostom and still appreciate the good work he did in the early Church.   Each age of the Church has those things that they once believed and accepted as true at one point in time, and the changing of those things with a better understanding that becomes a new light on an old subject.

"Is "tradition" inerrant? Of course not". Writes Bishop Gene Robinson in his book: In the Eye of the Storm: "Like those who authored the various parts of the Bible, those Christians who have come after are not inerrant either.  Their lives are not perfect, nor are their interpretations of scripture, nor are the decisions they made because of those understandings" (p. 56).

In today's Gospel Jesus has brought us back to Advent for a bit.  At the place where this Gospel reading picks up, Jesus has just given his warnings of what will happen at the end of time.  He is warning that his followers will face persecution and even torture for doing what they have been commissioned to do.  Loving the marginalized will almost certainly get us into some kind of trouble. Seeking to change the way things have always been will make people uncomfortable and want to dismiss us and our ideas.  Though our efforts are about giving Jesus Christ a better Name by making the Church more inclusive of LGBT people and other minorities, we will experience rejection and a refusal to cooperate from those who are much too comfortable with things as they have been. 

Again, quoting Bishop Robinson, "If we are not making trouble and making waves, then we'd best check to see if we're preaching the same Gospel that Jesus was preaching. It got him in trouble with the religious powers that be, and if we start doing that, we'll be in trouble too" (p. 83).

In the reading from the Hebrew Scriptures we read the story of God calling Jeremiah to be a prophet.  Jeremiah like many prophets before him, sees himself as inadequate because of his age.  God assures Jeremiah that God will be with him and to not be afraid.  Jeremiah will experience many hardships as he speaks to God's people about how to get back on God's track. 

None of us are completely perfect to be involved in the work of striving for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human person.  That is why our response to that question in our Baptismal Covenant is. "We will, with God's help." (BCP p. 294).  Our own limitations do not prevent us from making a good contribution to the Tradition of the Church if we are willing to do our best.  There is no such thing in God's eye's as too small of a thing done to help establish the reign of God.  We may not write theological treatises that gain us a consecration ceremony and all that garb. But, when we receive God's grace and put forth our own efforts to make the world a more holy place where all God's people are included, we are doing the work of the Gospel.  We are engaged in the Apostolic ministry of radical hospitality, reconciliation and healing.  Those who complain about us and make waves while they do nothing, but spread more false information about LGBT people based on ignorance; those who see a possible path to finding a place for them at the Table of the Lord are very thankful. 

We can commemorate St. John Chrysostom with both appreciation and concern.  We can celebrate the exceptional work he did to inspire thought and hope in the Christian Tradition.  It is also appropriate to look at the misinformation he put forth to create an atmosphere of rejection for LGBT people in the Church, both then and now with disagreement and concern.  We can make us of his good contributions to correct and rewrite his imperfections by reading and hearing the Gospel message of salvation for all people, including LGBT people.  We can read Chrysostom's commentaries and see that the sexual love between people of the same sex is just as natural and holy as it is between heterosexuals.  We should pray: Come Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth, so that there will be a new understanding about seeking justice and peace and respecting the dignity of every human person, including, but not limited to LGBT people.

Continue with the work.


Prayers

O God, you gave your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching, and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; 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, p. 579).


Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).


Gracious Father, we pray for thy 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 thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

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, p. 815).

The Conversion of St. Paul: Understanding Conversion as a Means, Not an End.

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 26:9-21 (NRSV)

Paul said to King Agrippa, "Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death. By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

"With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, `Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.' I asked, `Who are you, Lord?' The Lord answered, `I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you. I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles-- to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

"After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me."

Galatians 1:11-24 (NRSV)

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me.

Matthew 10:16-22 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the twelve, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Blog Reflection

The problems I have with how the Conversion of St. Paul is told in Acts Chapter 9 along with many of his letters throughout the New Testament, is that the work of God appears to be an end in and of itself.  When reading the stories about and letters by St. Paul at face value, without taking some time to understand their meaning and apply some critical thinking to what we are reading, a more literary reading appears to back up the whole "born again" idea. The "born again" ideal adopted by many Christianists and not too few Christians of varying backgrounds, carries with it the particular danger of assuming that because God has saved us, there is nothing more to be done. It is quite okay that we submit ourselves to a culture of exploitation, where the wealth of a few is more important than the common good of all people.  After all, if God has saved us, we can just flip the bird to the needs of others around us, sit back and let everything else including our own sense of responsibility towards the presence of Christ in others, just go the way of all flesh.

This kind of reaction suggests that conversion as an end in and of itself.  One that does not convey an encounter with Christ in a way that is continuing to change our lives by a daily relationship between God and us.  It has only changed us from the point of recognizing and loving the God we cannot see, while failing to reverence and love the presence of the risen Christ in our sisters and brothers before our very eyes.  St. John alluded to this in 1 John 4: 17-21.  As did St. Paul in Romans 12: 9-21, 1 Corinthians 7 as well as Galatians 5 and 6.   It is much easier to use the Bible and the basics of our Christian Faith with it's doctrines as weapons of mass destruction, than to create an atmosphere of mutual love and respect for people who are different from ourselves without casting a huge cloud of fear of the ever allusive end of time.

Film producer Macky Alston has been working on "Love Free or Die" to appear on Sundance.  It is the story about the life and ministry of Bishop Gene Robinson.  The film will talk about how Bishop Robinson's work in the Diocese of New Hampshire which has been nothing but outstanding, has also been the source of unending tension within the Anglican Communion.  An article about Love Free or Die appeared in The Salt Lake Tribune. As soon as Macky Alston's story about his passion for creating the film appeared on YouTube, immediately in the comments below it has appeared some of the most vicious assaults on The Episcopal Church, on Bishop Robinson and those of us who love and appreciate all that the Bishop has done on behalf of LGBT people all over the world.  One of them in particular quoting the following Bible verse. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20.  Such poor use of the writings of the Prophet Isaiah not only demonstrates serious violence, but an encounter with Christ that has been deemed itself a counterfeit by being very self centered.

The same case can also be made by Christianists and other individuals responding negatively to President Obama's State of the Union Address.   I am frustrated with the extreme right that continues to bash the President with under currents of racism, while negatively referring to his policies as socialism.  Socialism is a means by which we understand that taking care of our sisters and brothers in the middle and lower social classes is taking care of ourselves.  We are all connected to each other.  We all need the help of one another to find work, receive help so we can go to the doctor, help children get nutrition while they are attending school and help them get a good education.   I am equally disappointed by those few progressives and our own LGBT people who are angry that President Obama invited a lesbian couple to be in attendance of the SOTU Address, but only mentioned the word gay once.  Are we really that quick to forget the Presidents who came before Obama who not only failed to enact legislation that benefited the LGBT communities, but also did not hire LGBT people into their Administrations to show that we are as capable at fulfilling our jobs with love for our country as much as anyone else?   President Obama has made those efforts and done them successfully.  Often in the face of horrible backlash, even risking his reputation as a leader among social conservatives for having done so.  Does our responses to the SOTU reflect a thankful heart for the progress made, with the commitment to keep on working?  Or do they reflect an only self seeking form of inclusion, without being willing to include ourselves in the work of justice, equality and hope for a brighter future for everyone, not just ourselves?

Conversion is not just a blast of divine energy that knocks us off the horse as St. Paul experienced.  It is the continual conversation between the Holy Spirit with ourselves and our communities around us.  Conversion is an ever moving and energizing event that turns the ordinary activities of each day and moment, into opportunities to help ourselves and others grow in our attentiveness to God in every place and activity in our daily lives.  It is the experience of the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us "with sighs that are too deep for words" (Romans 8:26) moving our hearts to forgive as well as to welcome and be participants in God's work of healing and reconciliation in our world. 

Whether our experiences of God are like the Confession of St. Peter which we celebrated last Wednesday, or more like the Conversion of St. Paul, God is at work in each of us doing something wonderful.  But confessions and conversions are just abstract words and experiences, unless they are reflected in the prayers and activities of our daily life.  We have to let go of our prejudices towards Muslims, Jews, Native Americans, Immigrants, the poor, the sick, the dying, LGBT, women and so many more.  We have to allow our Mother the Holy Spirit to transform us and our own lives, to become the real face of God transforming the world around us.

This is what I believe is the real message of the Conversion of St. Paul and the letters he wrote.  His conversion and his writings reflect an encounter with the crucified and risen Christ in his own life that results in a deep hunger to become a transforming agent in the world around him.  Even with the prejudices and limitations of his own culture and those found within himself.   God still does something wonderful and influential in and through St. Paul. 

Even with everything that is as imperfect as it is, we in no means should justify any of it, nor stop speaking up or being activists for change, but we are invited to make a contribution as a result of the transforming power of God by making choices about what we do in the here and now.  Understanding that conversion is a means, not an end.  There is always more work for God and us to do.


Prayers

O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Conversion of St. Paul, Book of Common Prayer, p. 238, 239).

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prayer for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, p. 215).

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.  (Prayer attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, p. 833). 

Third Sunday after Epiphany: Repent, Follow, Welcome, Reconcile.

Today's Scriptures

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (NRSV)
 

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Psalm 62: 1:  "For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in him"  BCP p. 669

Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Blog Reflection

In a nutshell, what the Benedictine Vow of Stability is about, is that we take off the masks that prevent us from being exactly who we are before God and the world. God wants everything that is good and not so good about us to grounded in God.  Even if one is not trying to become a Monk, the call of God on our lives to walk humbly with God as we are and to do justice is the call of all Christians.

The readings for this Sunday call us to repent, follow, welcome and reconcile.  This is what Jesus invites us to to help us heal those broken relationships.

Repentance means more than admitting we are wrong.  It means changing directions.  To repent means to seek another alternative.  If we find ourselves yelling at someone who does not appear to be listening, it is not enough to say we are sorry while we keep yelling.  At some point we need to stop and think that perhaps our yelling is what is keeping us from making progress.  Instead of yelling, try a quiet dialogue with some coffee and danish between you. We all need to try to listen to one another better. We all need to prefer non-violence and clean conversation as opposed to constant verbal attacks and name calling.  Imagine what Presidential debates would look like if candidates stopped bashing the people of different races and income levels who need food stamps, and talk about how to change the system that keeps racism and poverty happening in our nation.  Imagine a Church and society that not only apologized to women, LGBT people and immigrants for despicable rhetoric and constant rejection, but found ways to receive them and provide opportunities to be treated as equal human beings.  Does it sound like I am wishing for too much?  In a Church (and by this I mean the whole Church, not just one particular body or denomination) that insists on using the Bible and their teachings to keep diversity out and uphold wealth and power, yes that is wishing too much.  But, hope for repentance so that one day the Church will look better than it does even now, that is something that can be accomplished. To get there we must repent of our prejudices and stop making peace with oppression.

Who or what are we challenged to follow?  In today's Gospel Jesus calls the first of his disciples to follow him and become fishers of people.  It is easy to immediately say: "We follow Jesus Christ according the Infallible Word of God."   Oh really? 

"The Bible is the best and most trustworthy witness," writes Bishop Gene Robinson in his book In the Eye of the Storm, "but it neither replaces Jesus as the Word nor does it take precedences over Christ's continuing action in the world through the Holy Spirit.  To elevate the words of scripture to a place higher than the revealed Word of God in Jesus Christ is an act of idolatry"  (Page 22).

People suggesting that we must elect more radical right wing people into our government so that the United States can continue to target Muslims, immigrants and LGBT people to be put in prison or executed, does not reflect a heart and life that wants to follow Jesus Christ.  The reality that Bishop Gene Robinson still has to wear a bullet proof vest beneath his vestments wherever he goes, tells me that many Christians are conflicted about what following Jesus Christ means. 

It is not enough to say "yes" when Jesus calls us to follow him.  We have to be willing to follow Jesus as God the Holy Spirit literally rips open the Pandoras Box we put God, others and ourselves in.  We have to be ready to look beyond our own opinions and ideals.  Even our own ways of talking about God has to change if we are to talk to a world of people who have been turned off by the prejudice and violence that Christians have submitted themselves to in the name of the Bible.  

If Christians are to be a part of making the Church and the world a better place, we have to do more than say "yes."  We have to become a welcoming to all of God's people.  Christian or not.  Straight or lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual or metro-sexual.  Male, female or transgender.  White or black, copper skinned or what ever skin color.  Caucasian or Native American, Asian, Latino, Somali.  Whether we speak and write in English or another language. Completely healthy and able to do just about anything and those who have challenges on all levels of their being.  The point is, the Church and the Christians who worship and work within our faith communities need to reach beyond ourselves and welcome those who are different than ourselves.   We must reverence the presence of Christ in everyone.  Every person is the very image of God and has been redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Even those who do not see our faith or theirs the way we do.  She/he is a person of great value because of the stamp of God's unconditional and all inclusive love imprinted and made alive in every human person.  Even those who do not act the way we want them to.  Even in that someone that I just cannot get along with.  Sometimes we do have to reverence the presence of Christ in someone, by welcoming her/him and then leaving them alone with God for a while.

We must also be willing to seek reconciliation.  In short the word reconciliation means to make things right. 

"It is not enough, for instance, to refuse to slander others; we must rebuild their reputations.  It is not enough to disapprove of toxic waste: we must do something to save the globe.  It is not enough to care for the poor; we must do something to stop poverty.  We must be people who bring creation to life." (Sr. Joan Chittister, O.S.B  The Rule of Benedict: Spirituality for the 21st Century, p. 12).

Reconciliation means not only playing a role in healing what hurts, but changing the system that causes the hurts in the first place.  The prejudice and violence that causes so much hurt in LGBT people who are victims of "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" must be stopped.  It is not enough to just get angry listening to audiences in South Carolina rise to their feet in thundering applause as Newt Gingrich speaks blatant racism.  We have to be willing to do something about the racism that allows that kind of violence to continue.  We can complain about the harmful affects of Citizens United on our politics all we want. Unless we get involved with doing something about the system that puts Supreme Court justices in place to make such rulings, things will never change.   We can get angry about all the so-called "pro-lifers" protesting Roe v. Wade today all we want.  Unless we are willing to work to change the male privilege that legislates the access of women to affordable and safe reproductive health care, and change the laws that protect those who sexually assault and rape women, nothing will change.

If Christians want to be an example of repentant people who follow Jesus Christ, then we must be willing to welcome every child of God and work to make the Church and the world a better place for everyone.


Prayers

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).


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, p. 815).

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.  (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, p. 833).

 

Wulfstan: All of Us Are Connected to Each Other: Let's Make the Best of It.

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 26: 26-31 (NRSV)

Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army. Isaac said to them, ‘Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?’ They said, ‘We see plainly that the Lord has been with you; so we say, let there be an oath between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you so that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.’ So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths; and Isaac set them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. 

John 15: 5-8, 14-16 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

"You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."

Blog Reflection

As an Episcopalian and an Oblate of St. Benedict, I am delighted to be commemorating today one our Benedictine Monks who went on to be an outstanding Bishop.  


Wulfstan was educated in the Benedictine Abbeys of Evesham and Peterborough.  He spent most of his life in the Cathedral Monastery of Worcester as monk, prior and then as Bishop of the see from 1062 until his death on January 18, 1095.  (See Holy Women,  Holy Men; p. 176).

The times that Wulfstan lived in the time of the Norman Conquest of Berkhamstead, and though he was sympathetic to King Harold of Wessex, he submitted to the wishes of William the Conqueror.   He was one of the few Anglo-Saxon bishops to keep his see as the Conquest of the Normans in England over threw the typical way of life in 1066.


It must have been very difficult for Wulfstan to submit to those who had caused his country and the Church so much pain.  However, Wulfstan did what the Rule of St. Benedict and the Gospel asked of him.  He avoided the "self-seeking" attitudes that can be very problematic during such a period of time.

This commemoration and the Scripture Readings that accompany it are both wonderful and challenging.   

In the Reading from Hebrew Scripture we see a very rare event.  Individuals who are suspicious of each other sitting down and learning about the other and coming to a place of friendship and peace.  


How wonderful it would be if Governments, churches, and groups with opposing views could sit down together; peacefully and with interest in each other to learn about one another.  

Do you think if that those who target Muslims suspecting all of them as terrorists would actually let go of their suspicions long enough to sit down and learn about the goods of the Islamic faith and stop all their violent language?   

Do you think people who insist on taking away a woman's rights to chose what reproductive health care is best for them, could sit down with people who are faced with their "choices" without using the extreme language of "killing" and "murder" long enough to hear about the tragedies of women who have been raped and/or sexually assaulted?   Do you think those of us who do support a woman's right to chose would actually be able to talk about how damaging the loss of health care, education funding, job creation programs, funding for day care centers are to women who want to chose to give birth to a child?

Can those of us who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) sit down with those who want to take away our rights for job discrimination, marriage equality and the like and actually feel like we have accomplished something?

If your answer to these questions includes: "Yes, I would love to, but the other side just won't listen" that is my response too.  LOL


The only way we will be able to constructively converse with our opponents is for us to tell our stories through how we live as well as through whatever means help us to tell that story best.  We will not be able to tell our stories if we respond to violent rhetoric with returned violence.  Call them out for what they say and suggest doing, but do so in a way that we respect both them and ourselves; and we will "heap coals on the devil's forehead."


Our Gospel reading; one of my favorites; reminds us that those of us who call ourselves Christians are held together by a Person who's Name is Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our connection to God and the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation, all of us are connected to each other.   By the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; which we participate in through our Baptism; we become one with Christ and each other as we join Christ on the Cross and meet him at the empty tomb.   In participating in Holy Communion we continue to be nourished by the Presence of God and recommit ourselves to reverencing God's Presence in others as well as ourselves.  


Jesus in this Gospel is reminding us that he is the one by which we are bound to each other and that includes those that we struggle with in our relationships.  Jesus tells us that we cannot accomplish living out the Gospel and loving one another in a holy and life-giving way, unless we root ourselves in him. 

It is most interesting that in addition to commemorating Wulfstan, that today's reading from the Rule of St. Benedict is the following.

Your way of acting should be different form the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else.  You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge.  Rid your heart of all deceit.  Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away from someone who needs your love.  Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue.


Do not repay one bad turn with another (1 Thess 5: 15; 1 Pet 3:9).  Do not injure anyone, but bear injuries patiently.  Love your enemies (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27).  If people curse  you, do not curse back but bless them instead.  Endure persecution for the sake of justice (Matt 5: 10). (Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 4. Tools of Good Works, verses 20-33).

 "A peacemaker's paragraph," writes Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, "this is one who confronts us with the Gospel stripped and unadorned.  Nonviolence, it says is the center of the monastic life.  It doesn't talk about conflict resolution; it says don't begin the conflict. It doesn't talk about communication barriers; it says, stay gentle even with those who are not gentle with you.  It doesn't talk about winning; it talks about loving" (The Rule of Benedict, p. 58).


You must not be proud, nor be given to wine (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3).  Refrain from too much eating or sleeping and from laziness (Rom 12:11).  Do not grumble or speak ill of others. (Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 4, The Tools for Good Works, v 34-40).


"Benedict reminds us, too, that physical control and spiritual perspective are linked: pride and gluttony and laziness are of a piece.  We expect too much, we consume too much, and we contribute too little.  We give ourselves over to ourselves.  We become engorged with ourselves and, as a result, there is no room left for the stripped-down, stark, and simple furniture of the soul" (Sr. Joan Chittester, The Rule of Benedict, p. 60.61).

I am going to add the next verse which is not part of today's reading.  "Place your hope in God."  (Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 4, The Tools for Good Works, vs 41).


As soon as I read all of this I realize I stink at what God and St. Benedict are asking me to do.  When I read about some Christianist who suggests that I am really a pedophile for wanting to marry my husband, I want to and sometimes do say every nasty word I can think of.  I eat too much. I get tired of people treating me as a door mat.  I get confused and discouraged.


Wait a minute!  St. Benedict tells me to "Place my hope in God."

Jesus calls me; a guy who messes up time and again, Jesus' friend.  Jesus wants me to be grafted into him so he can keep me connected to God in all of my disconnectedness.  God invites me to a death of myself so that I can live in God.  By giving up my life and my will, I live new life.  I have to struggle to do this time and time again.  Whether I succeed or fail; God still loves me.  God loves me as a gay man and as someone who struggles even more with social communications because of Asperger's Syndrome. 


God is not asking of us to get it perfect.  Salvation is not a matter of doing everything for the purpose of gaining something.  It is a matter of trusting and faithfully putting one foot in front of the other, doing the best we can, and letting God do the rest.  Should we trip up and fall, God asks that we get up and begin again.  In Christ, God is with us when we fail and start a new.


The point is all of us are connected to each other. Whether we like it or not

St. Benedict's Rule reminds us as does the Gospel that all of us; regardless of where we are in our faith journey are all beginners; and are told to never give up on God who never gives up on us.


Prayers

Almighty God, your only-begotten Son led captivity captive and gave gifts to your people: Multiply among us faithful pastors, who, like your holy bishop Wulfstan, will give courage to those who are oppressed and held in bondage: and bring us all, we pray, into the true freedom of your kingdom; 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, p. 177)

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light
of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's
glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the
ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and
for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the
world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among
them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they
may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen. (Prayer for Peace Among the Nations, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).    

 

Confession of St. Peter: Faith and Doubt Lead to Grace

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 8: 4-13 (NRSV)

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

`the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;

it has become the cornerstone.'

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.

Matthew 16: 13-19 (NRSV)

When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Blog Reflection

As an individual who is still very new to the Episcopal Church, I have to write that there is a part of me that struggles intensely with this Holy Day. 

As Anglicans and Episcopalians are we not the people who do not claim the authority of the said to be Successor to St. Peter?  Yes, we are. 

The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Tradition are the via media between what is Catholic/Orthodox and what is Protestant.  Our worship and spirituality are very Catholic. Our leadership and polity, combined with our appreciation for the great Protestant reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley make us very much like Protestants.  

So when I come to the date of January 18th and the Episcopal Church asks us to consider this Holy Day of the Confession of St. Peter, I find myself with a bit of confusion.   I have to spend some time in thought and prayer about what the Episcopal Church and our Anglican Tradition is really saying about Peter and his confession of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Peter is not exactly the best guy to be considered as the first among the Apostles.   He is stubborn. He is arrogant.  Peter's faith is not too great.  Peter has difficulties with Jesus.   Right after the Gospel reading for today in the Bible there is the encounter with Jesus in which Peter tries to persuade Jesus to not go to Jerusalem to experience his death and resurrection.   The very same Jesus who in today's Gospel tells Peter that he is the rock on which Jesus will build the Church, will say to Peter: 'Get behind me Satan!"   Later on during Jesus trial, it is Peter who will deny Jesus three times after having sworn to Jesus that he would lay down his life for the Jesus that he loved so much.

So why is Peter considered the first among Apostles?

What is so great about Peter that Jesus gives him the keys that says whatever Peter loosens on earth will be lose in heaven and what ever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven?  

Does that really mean that when Pope Benedict XVI says that "Gay marriage is a threat to humanity" that the Holy Spirit protects him from any and all sin when he is promoting such prejudice?

Peter is not made a great man or the rock because of who Peter is. The rock of Peter on which Jesus Christ has been building his Church is not a super power structure where one person is the universal dictator of all who call themselves Christians.  That rock of Faith is not represented as the Bishop of Rome seeks through his Bishops to infiltrate National, State and local governments so that they can only accept their version of what is "true".

Jesus recognizes Peter's confession as an act of faith from a man who does not have all his ducks in a row, but listens to God with in his heart so that he can confess with his mouth that Jesus is the Messiah; the Son of the Living God.   Jesus calls Peter the rock because of Peter's leap of faith that recognizes his own limitations, and that his only hope for salvation is to believe in God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ.  Jesus responds to Peter's faith making Peter's Confession that rock on which Jesus would build the Church. 

The Messiah, the Son of God comes to establish a new justice through the establishment of God's reign through the Apostolic Succession.  This Succession of the Apostolic ministry is one that is not driven by a dictatorship, but one that inspires people through that same leap of faith that was in Peter when he made his confession. A faith that is collaborative with diverse groups of people and seeks God through radical hospitality and the ministry of reconciliation.

Each Bishop knows that she/he is an imperfect person who will make mistakes and do wrong.   The Bishops who have succeeded those first imperfect Apostles still come with their personal baggage; addictions, hunger for power vs the willingness to delegate and finds themselves battling the age old issue of money vs doing the right thing.  

One individual once said: "The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of Saints."  Sadly, the worst sinners (and that can be any one of us) often spend much too much time worrying about others sins rather than taking care of our own.

Peter's confession is an invitation for all of us to ask ourselves about what kind of faith are we professing?

Keep in mind that professing and confessing our faith does not make us perfect, nor does that alone bring us salvation.  The challenge for all of us is to live out that faith that we confess and profess by making it more than an abstraction.   Our task is to make it real and visible through the ordinary moments of our lives.

Our faith moves from being an abstraction to being a live with the risen Christ when we reach beyond our prejudices and attitudes to help bring about God's reign of peace, justice, inclusion and equality for all marginalized persons.   This means recognizing in people of different races, genders, sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions, languages, cultures, religions health and wealth statuses etc, the image of God and the hope for salvation in Jesus Christ.   It means being willing to serve the poor and the disenfranchised through our prayers and being actively involved in making the Church and the world a better place for everyone.

We are invited today to meditate on this awesome confession; while still asking ourselves about how we are going to confess and profess our faith in the daily routine of our lives. 

What will be our response?


Prayers

Almighty Father, who inspired Saint Peter, first among the
apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God:
Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that
in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow
the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 238). 


Gracious Father, we pray for they 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 thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that
thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men:
Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom
our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy,
nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of
thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon him, and give
him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Those in Trouble or Bereavement, Book of Common Prayer, p. 831).

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: Prejudice and Injustice: The Social Diseases Continue

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 37: 17-20 (NRSV)

The man said, ‘They have gone away, for I heard them say, “Let us go to Dothan.” ’ So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, ‘Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.’

Ephesians 6: 10-20 (NRSV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. 

Luke 6: 27-36 (NRSV)

Jesus said: ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

Blog Reflection

Shortly after I came out, I began to consider dating a man.  He was handsome.  Downright sexy.  He was intelligent and like me; quite opinionated.  As we got to know each other there came in me some doubts as to whether he was the right man for me to date.  I was not sure exactly what I wanted to do just yet.  That decision was made very clear when in a phone conversation with him, this handsome, sexy, intelligent and opinionated man announced to me that he felt that black people should not be afforded the same rights and opportunities as white people.  He further stated that he felt that most African Americans were trying to "screw the system" with their playing of the race card all the time.  My reaction was one of shock, disbelief and one of the few times I was totally speechless.  I could not even respond.  After a brief period of silence, the individual told me I could say good bye if I wanted to.  I responded to him: "I have to at this point.  I just cannot date a man who like me is already experiencing the discrimination and inequality on the basis of our sexual orientation, yet feels that he is justified with having the same attitudes of discrimination and inequality towards African Americans." 

I have said on many occasions that if someone had told me that there was racial discrimination in the LGBTQ communities before I came out, I would never have believed it. 

At the same time, over these past years I have had to confront within myself; my own attitudes and behaviors passed on to me by my own family with their own racist opinions and behaviors.  I like to say I am not a racist, but there are still those messages of inequality in my own attitudes and behaviors that show up from time to time.  When I find them, I am totally embarrassed and ashamed.  I have to pray to God to help me to notice them and route them out of my life.

This yearly commemoration of the Late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on what would have been his 83rd Birthday today, reminds us that there is prejudice and injustice in our world.  These are not good for ourselves, society or any community worldwide.  These are social diseases that must be routed out of us with Godspeed at our backs.   They do not reflect a Christian Church or society by any means.

Prejudice and injustice are not new to the Christian Faith.  The Christian Church has played out roles of prejudice and even violence towards people of different races, religions, sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions, genders, cultural backgrounds, languages, wealth status, health status, etc.   There are many Christians who make use of the Bible and/or the basic doctrines of Christianity to justify prejudice and violence towards those who are different.  The Church still has much work to do as well as take up the cause of equality and justice for all peoples.   No single Church denomination or body is exempt from the need to continue to work on these and other issues.

We read in Genesis today a portion of the story of Joseph's brothers planning to trap Joseph and sell him to slavery.  The wickedness that is in the hearts of Joseph's brothers has played itself over and over as many European White Christian countries took it upon themselves to decide who should have the opportunities to be free and prosper and who should be "owned" by them.  The scenario played continuing versions as the English Empire sought to colonize Africa, Asia and also the Native Americans as they came to the shores of the new world that is now America. 

There is another scenario that has also played itself out from the story of Joseph and his brothers in societies repetitiously.  Later in the narrative Joseph becomes appreciated for his ability to dream and support the king of where he had been enslaved.  Joseph eventually ascends to the throne and then the two brothers who had sold him into slavery come to him seeking help when they are experiencing severe famine.  Joseph does not take revenge, but instead exercises mercy and forgiveness.  The tables are suddenly turned. The "slave" becomes the one who frees those who are also enslaved.  

Last year when I attended Creating Change 2011; those of us who were part of Practice Spirit, Do Justice experienced an amazing healing as Native Americans led us through exercises to help us understand what the oppression of their people was like under the white Christian settlers.  They also showed us through an amazing ritual dance how all of us can become part of the healing of all humankind, by simply recognizing that all of us are connected to each other. 

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians invites us to put on the whole armor of God.  He reminds us that what makes us Christians, gives the ability to do the work of reconciliation and hospitality.  It often seems like a great war.  Rather than focus on the imagery of a battle field; I believe St. Paul encourages us to see the conflict of social injustice and inequality to be a struggle with the spiritual forces that are trying to stigmatize.  Using all of the great elements of what makes us Christian; truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the Holy Spirit's voice as we listen to the Scriptures.  The challenge is to not read the Bible with our prejudices intact; but to let our Mother the Holy Spirit rip open our Pandoras Boxes and help us see new insights.

This past year, we have witnessed some amazing attacks against people because of their race. 

The moves by States to enact laws that require voter ID's to exercise our constitutional rights to vote, impact those who are already disenfranchised because of race, income background and/or even age.

Those who are already marginalized by a broken system, experience deeper infringements as laws are passed to deny immigrants the opportunity to not be unfairly profiled or imprisoned.  Such was the case with the anti-immigration law in Alabama by which illegals faced the possibility of losing their water for bathing and drinking.  

The further divide of the economic classes of people have at their core a resilient stench of keeping people who are oppressed by a bad economy as far down the totem pole as they can go. 

The Rev. Al Sharpton has an excellent article in the Huffington Post about these and many other issues related to remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Jesus Christ commands us all to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us.  That is a pretty tall order.  One that those of us who experience violence, discrimination and injustice on a daily basis have a very difficult time with.  Except that Jesus is one who is also experiencing bias and oppression just for being someone who loves others just a little bit differently. 

I do believe that at the center of the Gospel is a call to remember that violence of any kind is never the will of God.  If we act in response to hate with hate and violence, our work towards justice and equality becomes counterproductive. 

Harboring unhealed grudges and withholding forgiveness towards our foes only allows their work of hate and inequality to gain traction in our lives and communities.  Unforgiveness destroys our individual selves and makes further injuries on a society that is already driven by hate and violence.  More importantly, it is not worth handing our opponents the unnecessary satisfaction of seeing us and our relationships with others destroyed at their benefit. 

Forgiveness does not mean that we excuse their actions.  It also does not mean that we no longer work to expose their injustices and the need for all of us to work to change hearts and attitudes to be more accepting and less violent.   It does mean that we do not hold them and their actions between us and our relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. Our Mother the Spirit so wants to heal us and help us to move on. 

The Benedictine message of radical hospitality and reconciliation are a part of the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  We are to called to see Christ in one another.  Including those that we struggle the most with.  We are called by God to welcome one another and allow ourselves to be challenged to address our own interior biases to become a people who embrace and cherish one another.  In reconciliation we are invited to work out our differences with others in the quietness of our own hearts and lives in attitudes of prayer; but also to become active in making the world wide community more inclusive of everyone.


Prayers

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you lead your people out of slavery, and made them free at last:  Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reighs with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 307).

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).

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, page 816).

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (A Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 99).  

Second Sunday after Epiphany: Come, See, Learn and Love

Today's Scriptures

1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) (NRSV)

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." [Then the LORD said to Samuel, "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever."

Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." He said, "Here I am." Eli said, "What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you." So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, "It is the LORD; let him do what seems good to him."

As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the LORD.]

John 1:43-51 (NRSV)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Blog Reflection

I enjoy reading the Hebrew Scripture Reading from 1 Samuel.  The text is very profound.

Samuel was born of Hannah a woman who was barren.  When God answered her prayers and gave her Samuel, Hannah responded by giving him to Eli who was a local Priest.  Though Samuel was raised by Eli, Samuel had not yet encountered God.  Samuel was awoken by a voice that he heard and thought it was the voice of Eli.  After discovering that it was not Eli, Eli tells Samuel to go back and the next time Samuel heard his name called to say: "Here I am, Lord, your servant is listening."

As I read this story and read what it was that God told Samuel, my instant reaction was: YIKES!  Why don't you wake up Samuel to tell him some good news?  Why wake him to tell him some news that sounds so horrible to the person who has been raising him all the years?

There is more to the story.

Eli's sons were Priests who had violated a ritual rule in the worship of the Israelite people.  "The ritual allowed the Priests to have some of the sacrificial animal, in particular the breast and the right leg. (See Lev. 7:29-36)."  However, "Eli's sons demanded their portions before the ritual burning of the fat had taken place, and even before the meat had been cooked--hardly the dignified control one would expect of Priests."  (Paula J. Bowes, Collegeville Bible Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1, page 296). 

As a result, Eli's sons were no longer going to be permitted to continue the line of Priests from Eli's family.  Samuel's experience of God was to be told what God was going to do about Eli's sons.   Samuel was simply telling Eli what God's decision was. 

One of the messages I get from this portion of the Hebrew Scriptures is to pay attention to what we are doing.   God has shared God's goodness with all of us.  We have all been given that special ability and/or characteristic that is unique to what God is going to call us to do in our lives.  It is important to not be too persuaded to give away from what God has called us to do with what we have been given and that includes a good witness of the movement of God's Spirit in our lives.

Among the things to consider is that diversity is something that God gives to our world.  God has given this world such a magnificent rainbow.  Each color of the rainbow represents each one of us in our unique color and ability to light up the sky and the world.  There are shades of color that look alike, but no two colors are exactly the same.  Each color serves a purpose that no other color can do.  There is no color greater than another.

Whether we are black, white, copper skin, grey, green or almost yellow.  Whether we are female, male or any other gender.  Whether we are lesbian, gay, straight, metro-sexual, a sexual, bisexual or transgender.  Whether our culture is Native American, Pacific Indian, European/American Caucasian.  Whether our religion is no religion, Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, Wicca etc,.  And what about those with behavioral, emotional or psychological challenges and those who are perfectly healthy? The point is all of us including many I have not named or listed, are given an opportunity here and now to serve humankind, our Higher Power and ourselves in a way that no one else can.

There are Christianists who want to say that America and the European civilizations are being destroyed by the "homosexual agenda" or the Muslims.  But, Christians have been destroying cultures and taking away the goods of others for centuries.  One needs only to read a history book or two of how whole countries in Africa and Asia were invaded and expected to be turned into a colony of England.  The United States would have been too, had the American Revolution not taken place.  Yet as we go into the 1800's we saw the build up to the Civil War.  Beyond that, we have seen countless acts of oppression towards peoples of all kinds. 

In our Gospel reading today, we see Jesus meeting his disciples and others who are noticing Jesus for the first time.  I think it is a fair interpretation that Jesus and his soon to be followers getting acquainted with each other and making plans about where they would go from there. 

Nathanael apparently has a stereotypical problem.  "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  Philip answers Nathanael: "Come and see."  Rather than give Nathanael a long answer or challenge him on what he said, Philip simply invites Nathanael to "come and see" for himself.  As the Jesus and Nathanael exchange conversations it just so happens that Jesus already saw Nathanael.  Nathaneal's eyes are open, but Jesus challenges him to look for even better things yet to come.

Tomorrow we will remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  A minister.  An African American.  A civil rights leader. One who spoke on behalf of the racial divisions he and others were experiencing.  Dr. King also marched with workers seeking better living wages and opportunities for growth and prosperity. 

Over the years too many Americans and Christians have subconsciously asked the question: Can anything good come from someone who is black?  Such a question is still being asked today as there are not too few in America who just cannot accept a black man being President of the United States. 

Americans and Christians have also asked subconsciously: Can any thing good come from Muslims, Jews, LGBT people, Native Americans, women???  We have stereotyped people based on our ignorance and allowed that ignorance to fuel prejudice, violence and in many cases death.

Today's readings challenge all of us to see the glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ in and through all that is different about people who are different from ourselves.  Jesus calls us to "come and see" and look for even greater things than what we currently know or think about someone who does not fit our status quo. 

We have all been given our uniqueness that others cannot make sense of.  Why then should we be surprised that there are things about others that just seem a bit unusual to us?  Does that really mean there is no goodness in anything or anyone else except those who are not such misfits?

Jesus invites us to walk with him and be part of all the marvelous things God is going to do.  God is going to draw the marginalized closer to God's heart by God's perfect Self revelation in Jesus Christ.  God the Holy Spirit is going to infuse God's people with wonderful opportunities to embrace the unlovable, help the poor and lonely and welcome the stranger and find a home for those who have no place to lay their heads.

Are you ready to continue along on the journey?


Prayers

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light
of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's
glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the
ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 215).

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 307).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], 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).