Today's Scripture Readings
1 Kings 8:22-23 ,41-43 (NRSV)
Psalm 96 (BCP., p.725)
Galatians 1:1-12
Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
It is often quite amazing how someone who doesn't quite fit in can change the dynamics of a community or neighborhood. In many small communities, as soon as someone new moves in, suddenly everyone who has lived there up to that point, knows there is someone that is new on the block. If the community is welcoming and accepting, they may send over a hot dish while the new neighbors get their house in order, or throw a block party. If the neighborhood is not so hospitable, the gossip about the new family living in the house down the street, begins almost immediately.
The people in the time of Jesus had been waiting on a Messiah to come and rescue them from Herod and the Roman Empire. They were not expecting God to arrive and teach them to love their enemies, or play a part in ending injustice, oppression and prejudice. They were also not looking for a Savior who would challenge them to include others different from themselves, in particular someone who was part of the Empire that was oppressing them. But, that is the Jesus that came to them as God's perfect revelation.
The servant of the Centurion was most likely his sexual companion. It was common for men of that time to have same sex partners who would also worked for them. If there was a point in the Gospels for Jesus to make a complaint against same-gender sexual relationships, this would have been the moment. However, Jesus did not say anything about that. Rather than say anything about how the Centurion lived, or worried about what organization the Centurion belonged to, Jesus saw the Centurion's faith that went beyond the limits of cultural norms, and saw God at work. The Centurion knew that all Jesus had to do, was give the word and his servant would be healed.
The healing that took place, was also meant for the community that was experiencing the oppression. Jesus made use of the occasion to point out that it is often those who are different from us, and even those who appear to be opposing us, who can teach us something about faith by way of trust. Such individuals can often be seeing the bigger picture of what is happening, and provide new insights and opportunities for hospitality and reconciliation.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are not the enemies of Christianity, the heterosexual family of one man and one woman, with children and so forth. Marriage Equality for LGBT people does not hurt the definition of marriage, family nor pose a threat to human society. As more states open the way for marriage equality, churches bless those relationships and ordain LGBT people to lead and minister, the opportunity for real healing for the Church and society can happen. Because we realize that every person or persons are part of the human family, and should be treated with love and respect. No person should become the target of violence and hurtful rhetoric just because we do not agree with the way they live, or who they love. The Gospel is our reason to build bridges for diversity within community. Not divide and fragment communities based on distinctions that are detrimental to the human family.
Today's Gospel invites us to pray that our eyes and ears will be open to listen to the Master's instructions and "attend to them with the ears of the heart" (Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict). So that we can respond to God's invitation to continue to the work of radical hospitality and reconciliation that is possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit came so that healing and reconciliation could be an important part of the mission of the Church. A work that continues with our saying yes to God.
Amen.
Prayers
1 Kings 8:22-23 ,41-43 (NRSV)
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart.
"Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name -- for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm-- when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built."
Psalm 96 (BCP., p.725)
Galatians 1:1-12
Paul an apostle-- sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- and all the members of God's family who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!
Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
For 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.
Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes, and to another, `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Blog Reflection
It is often quite amazing how someone who doesn't quite fit in can change the dynamics of a community or neighborhood. In many small communities, as soon as someone new moves in, suddenly everyone who has lived there up to that point, knows there is someone that is new on the block. If the community is welcoming and accepting, they may send over a hot dish while the new neighbors get their house in order, or throw a block party. If the neighborhood is not so hospitable, the gossip about the new family living in the house down the street, begins almost immediately.
The people in the time of Jesus had been waiting on a Messiah to come and rescue them from Herod and the Roman Empire. They were not expecting God to arrive and teach them to love their enemies, or play a part in ending injustice, oppression and prejudice. They were also not looking for a Savior who would challenge them to include others different from themselves, in particular someone who was part of the Empire that was oppressing them. But, that is the Jesus that came to them as God's perfect revelation.
The servant of the Centurion was most likely his sexual companion. It was common for men of that time to have same sex partners who would also worked for them. If there was a point in the Gospels for Jesus to make a complaint against same-gender sexual relationships, this would have been the moment. However, Jesus did not say anything about that. Rather than say anything about how the Centurion lived, or worried about what organization the Centurion belonged to, Jesus saw the Centurion's faith that went beyond the limits of cultural norms, and saw God at work. The Centurion knew that all Jesus had to do, was give the word and his servant would be healed.
The healing that took place, was also meant for the community that was experiencing the oppression. Jesus made use of the occasion to point out that it is often those who are different from us, and even those who appear to be opposing us, who can teach us something about faith by way of trust. Such individuals can often be seeing the bigger picture of what is happening, and provide new insights and opportunities for hospitality and reconciliation.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are not the enemies of Christianity, the heterosexual family of one man and one woman, with children and so forth. Marriage Equality for LGBT people does not hurt the definition of marriage, family nor pose a threat to human society. As more states open the way for marriage equality, churches bless those relationships and ordain LGBT people to lead and minister, the opportunity for real healing for the Church and society can happen. Because we realize that every person or persons are part of the human family, and should be treated with love and respect. No person should become the target of violence and hurtful rhetoric just because we do not agree with the way they live, or who they love. The Gospel is our reason to build bridges for diversity within community. Not divide and fragment communities based on distinctions that are detrimental to the human family.
Today's Gospel invites us to pray that our eyes and ears will be open to listen to the Master's instructions and "attend to them with the ears of the heart" (Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict). So that we can respond to God's invitation to continue to the work of radical hospitality and reconciliation that is possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit came so that healing and reconciliation could be an important part of the mission of the Church. A work that continues with our saying yes to God.
Amen.
Prayers
O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things
both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you,
all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable
for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen. (Proper 4, Book of Common Prayer, p.229).
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).
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