First Sunday After Christmas: The Word, Light, and Grace

Today's Scripture Verses


Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (NRSV)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p804)



Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7 (NRSV)

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Blog Reflection

Once again, Christmas Day passed us five days ago.  The stores and malls are not playing their endless round of "holiday" music.   If you heard Maria Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" as much as I did, you, like me, might be happy we are not listening to it anymore.  At least until next November 1st.  Many Christmas trees are already out on the street corner to be picked up.

As for churches that follow a Liturgical Calendar, the Christmas Season continues until January 6th, the Epiphany.  It is not uncommon for us to get questions like: "Um, dude, Christmas is over.  Put the carols away until next year?"   So, why not do that?

We would not put them away now, because the Christmas Season is not one holiday long.  It is an event through which the God who made everything through the Word, became one like us in Jesus Christ.   The story of Jesus Christ entering into our human existence as God with us.  Emmanuel.  God being helpless, vulnerable, in need of protection, nurturing and susceptible to everything you and I are.   Jesus was not even totally safe from the possibility of being killed with the other Holy Innocents, had Mary and Joseph not fled to Egypt with Him.  His arrival was not good news for everyone.   He had His enemies and skeptics all waiting for Him.

It is easy to look back on the people of that time and wonder what in the world was wrong with them.  However, as Marcus Borg wrote in Jesus: A New Vision we only know Him from a post-resurrection point of view.  The historical Jesus is as hidden a mystery to our limited understanding in 2013 as He was to those who knew Him in His own time.  What we do know about Jesus is that He was the Word who brought Light and the Grace of God into our world.   Because Jesus was God's perfect revelation of God's Self.  

Maybe people put Christmas away immediately after December 25th, because Christians have yet to show them how the Word is present now in our time.  As we hear the news that Christianist missionaries are transporting the hate towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to places like Russia, Uganda, other countries, how can people possibly believe in the Word made Flesh?   Why believe in God coming to us in Christ?  

Why believe in the Christmas Story, with Christians celebrating the Americans who will lose their unemployment benefits in only a few short days?

Returning to Uganda for a moment, the Anglican Bishop of Uganda celebrates the passage of the "kill the gays bill".   Amazing that a Bishop in our Anglican Communion celebrates the passing of a bill, that is a new massacre of LGBT people.   How are we to properly celebrate Christmas with that kind of talk?

In the Incarnate Word, Jesus does not promise to end all injustice, oppression and violence.  It would have been great if that would have happened.  However, Jesus came as God with us, to show that God walks with us in Him as we by the power of the Holy Spirit, do what Jesus would do in situations like what we are seeing today.  In the Gospels, Jesus showed us how to welcome the stranger, have mercy on the oppressed and love the one whom others consider unlovable.  Jesus told us that the Kingdom of God had come in Him, and in Him, it is possible for God to do so much to change the world for the better.   All God asks of us in this Christmas Season is to let Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh be reborn in us today, tomorrow and in the New Year 2014 so that we may help make the Christmas mystery ever present and real in our world.

Perhaps we can show others why we sing Christmas Carols another week is such a good idea. When we have compassion on those who live with addictions, mental illness or are  homeless, poor and needy.  In our singing of Joy to the World, may the Lord come and show His love through us.  May we gladly receive Him and share His love with others, because we speak up to end the violence towards women, education, workers and those who are in need of food stamps and immigration reform.   Let every heart prepare room for God among us, as Christians live the meaning of the story of how Jesus Christ, the Word with Light and Grace transforms the world around us, because we who believe in Him, let His Light cast off the darkness.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of
your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our
hearts, may shine forth in our lives; 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.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.213).

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one:
Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and
obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.255).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

First Sunday of Advent 2012: The Season of Already, But Not Yet

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NRSV)

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness." 

Psalm 25 (BCP., p. 614).
 
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV)

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 21: 25-36 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Blog Reflection

Every person in every place experiences a change of the seasons.  In Fr. Albert Holtz, OSB's book: From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk through Advent, he writes that the Greek word for season is kairos.  We are now in the kairos the Season of Advent.   The kairos of the Reign of God that is already here, but not yet.  The word kairos can also be understood as an "opportunity."  Holtz makes the point that every moment of every day is it's own kairos.   An opportunity to enter into a deeper relationship with God and others around us.  

Advent is a fantastic kairos to examine our priorities.  Are we so set on getting that perfect gift for or from someone that we forget that Christmas is about the birth of Christ who came to redeem the world?   Are we so busy planning holiday parties and attending a play of The Christmas Carol or the Nutcracker Suite for a little culture, but take no time to change the culture of injustice, oppression and prejudice in ourselves and communities?   Are we patting ourselves on the back for helping to serve Christmas dinner at a soup kitchen, but we do not do anything about addressing the widespread poverty that is right outside our doors?

The reign of God is already here.  We celebrate the memory that Christ already came into this world as a baby, and through his life, death and resurrection opened a new way to salvation in God.  Jesus brought that change of God interacting with people who were marginalized by political, religious and social structures designed to keep the powerful and the helpless worlds apart.   God drew closer to those stigmatized and gave them the power to be lifted up and fed with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8), while "casting down the mighty from their thrones" (Luke 1: 52).   Those who filled their lives with self righteousness through external practices of piety without observing justice, mercy and good faith, found themselves as "the rich sent away empty" (Luke 1:53).  

However, the reign of God is not yet here.   We still live in a world where the wealthy are exploiting the poor, lonely, the aged and the sick.  We are horrible stewards of God's creation as we continue to pollute the air, water and destroy the forests and wet lands, while plummeting cultures that neither want or need us there.  Women, LGBT, Native Americans, Jewish people, Muslims and many others are still second class citizens.  In Uganda, LGBT people face the possibility of a bill being passed that will put them in prison, just because of who they are, and false information about them spreading because of the false witness of American evangelical missionaries. 

In our celebrations of Advent, we have that kairos to pray and discern how we can help advance the arrival of the reign of God in our lives and communities.  The season of understanding how much God really loves us, and calls upon us to love God present in others, is now upon us.  It is a story that is connected to our history and continues to be reborn through the faith, compassion and witness of people who see places where the reign of God has yet to take root and become a garden of many beautiful colors. 

One of those places where God's reign needs more room to be reborn, is within each of us.  We can all take just a few extra minutes a day to give thanks to God for all that we are so fortunate to have.   We can also begin to take a look at our own attitudes and what might be one thing that we can address this Advent.  We can also take notice around us of who is hurting and in need of our concern and/or assistance.  There is always a place and a kairos for us to bring God's reign closer to ourselves and to others. 

May we take time this Advent to look for that kairos and discern how to bring God's reign that is already here, but not yet, just a little bit closer to change the world for the better.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen. (Collect for First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 211).


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).


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. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).

Last Sunday After Pentecost: Christ the King: An Inclusive Reign

Today's Scripture Readings

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (NRSV)

As I watched,

thrones were set in place,

and an Ancient One took his throne,

his clothing was white as snow,

and the hair of his head like pure wool;

his throne was fiery flames,

and its wheels were burning fire.

A stream of fire issued

and flowed out from his presence.

A thousand thousands served him,

and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.

The court sat in judgment,

and the books were opened.

As I watched in the night visions,

I saw one like a human being

coming with the clouds of heaven.

And he came to the Ancient One

and was presented before him.

To him was given dominion

and glory and kingship,

that all peoples, nations, and languages

should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that shall not pass away,

and his kingship is one

that shall never be destroyed.

Psalm 94 (BCP,. p.722)


Revelation 1: 4b-8 (NRSV)

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds;

every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him;

and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.

So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

John 18:33-37

Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

Blog Reflection

Here we are at the end of another Liturgical Year, celebrating the feast of Christ the King.   Also known and preferred by many as the Reign of Christ.  The triumphant and holy celebration of Jesus Christ as King is only 87 years old.   In 1925 Pope Pius XI added it to the Roman Catholic church calendar as a way of expressing some hope after World War I.  It was a recognition of Christ as having been victorious over sin and death, and had an opportunity to reign in the world's politics after a brutal and deadly conflict.   One does not have to look very long after 1925 to see that not only did Christ not rule in the hearts and lives religious and political leaders then, but we still have a long way to go as we prepare to bid good bye to 2012.

In the book of the Prophet Daniel, the image is that of a glorious reign of the Ancient One who is mighty and coming to bring justice with  his mighty arm.  The Ancient One who brought Israel from Egypt into the promised land, and gave them the commandments through Moses.  Christians have looked back upon the writings from the Hebrew Scriptures to honor the culture and religion of the Jewish people.   And we would like to think that in this Year of 2012, we no longer have antisemitism, but we know very well that there is.  God's people were wanting that mighty sign of God coming in glory to deliver them from captivity and bring them the salvation of their nation.  

Christians can and still do believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophesies in Hebrew Scriptures.  Our task in this second decade of the new millennium is to accept what the Scriptures mean for us, while respecting what they mean for others who have followed a different faith journey from ours.  The Reign of God is inclusive. 

Jumping into our Gospel, what might the significance be of Pilate having the conversation with Jesus in the Praetorium?   The Praetorium was the center of political power in the world.   It was from the Praetorium that Pilate governed Jerusalem on behalf of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus.  In this account from John, Pilate is questioning the authority of Jesus as a king.  The answers Jesus gives Pilate presents the stark contrast between what Pilate understands a kingdom to be, vs. what is the Kingdom of God that Jesus speaks of.   While Pilate wants to know about the earthly kingdom that Jesus might think he rules, the Kingdom that Jesus speaks of is not found in this world.  If that Kingdom were there, he might not have been in captivity without some kind of fight from of his followers to prevent his imprisonment.  God's reign is not one of political maneuvering, one of war or conquest.   The Reign of God is one of peace, justice, love and mercy.  Qualities that are present in the world, because of God's ownership of what God created.  The Reign of God of which Jesus speaks is already here, but not yet.

Jesus said that he was born for one purpose to testify to the truth and that all who belong to truth, hear his voice.   What "truth" might Jesus be talking about?

Immediately we are tempted to jump back to John 14: 6: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me."   While this is certainly true for us Christians, it also has the tendency to suggest that our religion is one of supercessionism.  Meaning that all other religions and practices outside of Christianity are in and of themselves null and void, unless they become Christian.   It can also be from here that many Christianists continue their assault on LGBT people, Native Americans, women and many others who define "truth" a bit differently than how John 14:6 might be read.

Michael and Lori Hardin in their internet Commentary on the readings called Preaching Peace had this to say about what truth for some can mean.

The fact is, at the base and center of philosophy (Derrida), religion (Barth) and literature (Girard) lies a victim, an innocent victim. We have been in complete and utter denial about this. We refuse to believe that we would sacrifice innocents. We continue to insist we only bring justice to those who deserve it. We further separate ourselves from scapegoating by turning over this task to the police or the military and the courts and prison systems. We don’t have anything to do with ‘violence.’ Our hands are clean.

As an example we cite American Christian awareness of issues that surround the Holocaust. Because America fought in World War II against Germany, it is conveniently assumed that whatever the German Christians did and thought had nothing to do with Christianity here in America. But it does, for the anti-semitism that found such virulent expression in Nazi Germany had many of its roots in the United States with Henry Ford (click here for an eye-opening paper on Ford.), and they have found expression around the world for the past 1,900 years (with specific reference to anti-Semitism in Christianity, not to mention the ancient world). You cannot follow Jesus and be anti-Semitic at the same time; Jesus was a Jew. But there are those who insist that their ‘theology’ bears little resemblance to that of the German Christians, when in fact, it does. It is all loaded with Post Constantinian and post Augustinian dualism and participation in the victimage mechanism.

So, the question is, if our human ideologies stem from victimage and are masked by lies, how can we then know the truth? It is quite simple: the truth does not retaliate or defend itself. ‘My kingdom is not of this world, if it were my disciples would fight to prevent my arrest.’ They tried, but Jesus prohibited them from using violence on his behalf. Had he done so, it would have destroyed his entire mission to reveal the truth: that God is love and love is non-retributive, non-retaliatory and non-violent.

In other words, if something or someone claims to be truth and has violent presuppositions or acts in a violent (= coercive) manner, then it is not truth. Truth may be attacked but it cannot be harmed. It is not ‘of this world’, that is, structured by negative mimesis. This is precisely how the gospels can speak of truth and why the Fourth Gospel calls Jesus, ‘the true and living way.’

Pilate may have discerned this seeing that John says his fear escalated with each encounter he had with Jesus. But, his job (and his life) was more important than a ragamuffin Jew from Galilee, so eventually the fear of retaliation from his mimetic boss (Caesar) was greater than his fear of a king who would not defend himself.

And so it is with us. We remain silent in the face of victimization because we chose to protect our source of security, our jobs, our incomes, our lifestyles. Perhaps the real question is, in the face of retaliation and retribution are you on the side of Jesus or not?

Finally we observe that inasmuch as today is Christ the King Sunday, please note that it is ‘Christ the King under arrest and being interrogated Sunday.’ It is Christ the King being held hostage Sunday. It is Christ the royal political prisoner Sunday. It is Christ the King soon to be beaten and crucified Sunday. It is Christ the innocent King/Victim Sunday. It is not Christ the powerful King Sunday. It is not Christ the mighty warrior Sunday. It is not Christ the King as Lawgiver and dispenser of punishment Sunday. It is Christ, whose kingdom is not of this world, the King Sunday.

As we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, Jesus is once again in danger or being killed just for being LGBT in the African country of Uganda.   They are again considering their monstrous and destructive bill to imprison LGBT people or possibly put them to death by hanging.  The sad truth still remains that people using the Name of Jesus Christ from America have some responsibility for what is happening there.  The Gospel is again being hijacked to suggest that marginalization, oppression and death is the answer to dealing with prejudice and the refusal to honor Christ in others who are different from themselves.   They cannot envision that the Reign of Christ is inclusive.

Rev. Susan Russell wrote:

"Christ the King has been co-opted by those who understand the Reign of Christ to be not about the Lordship of Love but about obedience to orthodoxy. The king whose throne was a cross and whose dying words were “My God, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” has been replaced with a judge whose message is “My God will not forgive you unless you are doing it my way.” It is time for us to find our voices and reclaim the historic faith we have inherited: to pro-claim the Good News of the Gospel of Grace whenever and wherever we can; to challenge those who preach the Jesus of Judgment by our serving instead the King of Love."

One of the things we as Benedictines understand is that obedience to Christ is not so much about fear and judgement.   Though at times it may appear as much in the Rule, especially when you read things like this.

"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 the true King, Christ the Lord." (Prologue, v. 3.  RB 1980, p.157).

Obedience for Benedictines is about responding in love to what Christ calls us to do through the Superior.  This model is there to remind us that Christ is the loving and compassionate Savior who desires nothing more than to lead us to that Kingdom that is here, but not yet.  A Reign where we are open to Christ as he is present in every person.  Especially those who are oppressed by injustice and inequality.  St. Benedict brings this to mind as he says in Chapter 4 on the Tools of Good Works: "Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing" (vs. 18,19, RB 1980,  p. 183).   Obedience to truth is more than Jesus, it is honoring him present in others and being willing to serve him there.

As we prepare to celebrate Advent and the new Liturgical Year one week from today, we would do well to ask ourselves what the Reign of Christ looks like for us?   How do we understand the Reign of Christ as an inclusive Kingdom?   How is that Reign present to us in the here and now?   How are we responding to Christ the King coming to us in our neighbor?

These questions are not a matter of just what is objectively true.  They are a matter of our faith and trust in God. To believe that God challenges us to let go of our self-security a bit. So that Christ will make the Kingdom a much greater reality for us and in us. So that it will become clearer to us and others, that Christ is our King. 

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided
and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together
under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).


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. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).


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, p. 823).

Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany: Who is Telling Who Not to Worry?

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 6:24-34 (NRSV)

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


"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Blog Reflection

How about we do an experiment together?

Read this Gospel to a group of your best friends who invite you to a dinner party.  Don't read it until after everyone at the dinner table is well fed and has enjoyed every bite.  What might you hear them say?

I bet you will hear something similar to this.  "Yeah, God provided a great meal."  You might also hear: "God didn't do anything, the cook just put together a fabulous dinner."  "All of those great farmers and companies where we bought the food, did such a great job."

In other words, they had all they needed.  It didn't matter who it came from.  They have been fed.  They are satisfied.  Most likely, they and you will be satisfied again tomorrow.

Now read this Gospel in a place like Wisconsin with the union protesters who's livelihoods hang in the balance of the political tug of war for power.

Read this Gospel to the many LGBT women and men in Uganda fearing what could happen to them if someone finds out about their sexuality.  The Ugandan LGBT people who live in fear of the day that the anti-homosexuality bill should pass and it becomes the law.  How might those individuals react to hearing this Gospel about not worrying about tomorrow?

Read this Gospel to a man who lives with HIV/AIDS about not worrying about tomorrow, when his State Republican Majority votes and passes a bill that will reduce funding for him to receive medical treatment for his condition.  

Read this Gospel about not worrying about tomorrow to a woman who is carrying a child that she does not know how she will take care.  She has just sat in the church and heard some preacher use the end of today's Hebrew Scripture reading that says: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you."  The Priest may have just used these words to condemn abortion. Such works are known to make a pregnant, unwed, unemployed, poor mother feel so terribly guilty should she decide not to carry that child to term, because she cannot adequately care for herself, let alone a child that will depend on her for everything.  Tell this woman, what Jesus said: "Do not worry about tomorrow."

It is easy to hear the words: "Do not worry about tomorrow" or even be grateful that God has said: "Even if these forget you, I will not forget you" when we have our homes, jobs, health, sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity that no one is out to destroy, wealth, safety etc.  But, to those who do not have so many choices on any number of those things, tell them not to worry, or God will not forget them, and they just might answer: "God forgot about me a long time ago.  So, I have forgotten about God."

What might be the reason?

Someone in a church carelessly told them not to worry, everything will be all right, and then they walked out and were mugged.  They lost the only money they had to buy milk for their child for a week.   When they went to a local food bank, they were grilled and questioned.  Made to feel like a fool for having gone there in the first place.  Told the food banks rules that only added more grief and distress to their already troubled situation. 

What is happening in Wisconsin and all over the world, including Libya is a struggle for total power vs shared power.  What is happening as some State Governments around the US are attempting to strip union workers of their bargaining rights is about whether corporate power, which already has total power through their donations to politics, gets even more.  It is an attempt to usurp shared power into becoming total power.  It is about who will own and keep that power, because they are so wealthy, and powerful, they just cannot get enough.

As the National Organization for Marriage and other organizations against marriage equality, work against the rights of LGBT people to marry the person they love in various states, what is really going on? 

The privilege of heterosexuals to own the power to determine who and what makes a family a family, to suddenly become shared power, that recognizes they are not the only ones who get to decide.

This Gospel today speaks both to those of us who have more than enough, but want more, and to those of us who barely have enough of what we need to survive in life, but can only trust in God to gain it. 

In the exceptionally terrific movie Latter Days, Aaron the Mormon Missionary who struggles with his sexuality, his church and his family, says "I think we are all dots.  I think we are all connected." 

God sees all of us as God's children whom God has "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139: 14).  Whether we are rich or poor, lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer, black, red, gold or white, healthy or impaired.  God sees us as all individually different people, who are uniquely connected to each other.  That is why we need help from each other to achieve a sense of well being.  We need each other in whatever situation we are in.  Everyone matters.  No one is without value, dignity, integrity.  Therefore no one should be without the dignity and respect that belongs to them.

In this Gospel, Jesus is dismissing an age old ideal.  The ideal that if you are rich and healthy God is happy with you.  But, if you are poor, sick, or someone marginalized by a church or society as a whole, God is punishing you for something you did wrong.  Jesus is slamming that notion to pieces. 

Organizations like the American Family Association like to suggest that if there is an earthquake in California, it will be because of Judge Walker's decision last July to declare Prop 8 unconstitutional. 

Other organizations suggested that the reason Hurricane Katrina happened in 2005 and the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last Spring is because New Orleans is the location of Southern Decadence.

These repulsive comments are also theological nonsense.  In Today's Gospel, Jesus says as much. 

What is our challenge from this Gospel?

We are challenged to understand that if we are so blessed to have been given an abundance, it did not come from no one or no where.  God does have something to do with all that we enjoy.  We have been given those wonderful opportunities to not only refresh and enjoy ourselves, but to share some of that with those who are not so fortunate.   God has blessed us with much, to share much.

We are also challenged to understand that if we are not so endowed with wealth and an easy time working and earning, or even having our equal rights, God has not abandoned us.  What we need will come from God.  What we have, even if it is only the grace to just hang on for now and do the best we can, that is God's gift to us at that moment, and there is so much more to come.   The best is up ahead, we just cannot see it at this moment.  

In the awesome television show Touched by An Angel, Monica would tell everyone she worked with: "God loves you, and wants you to trust God." 

God does love each and every one of us.  Totally, deeply and completely.  As a Parent loves their child.  God desires everything and anything good for us.  Even in those moments when it looks and appears like what is good and most needed, just seems impossible. 

When we have been blessed to obtain that which we thought was once impossible, we show our thanks to God by becoming God's missionaries of compassion and understanding and share with others.  To speak up for those marginalized.  To encourage closeted youth to come out of their closet and show God and the world around them, that being LGBT is wonderful.   To encourage those wishing for marriage equality, to do more than just talk about it.  To actually get active with organizations and individuals and play a decisive, difficult, but fulfilling role towards equality, justice and inclusion for LGBT people, and all marginalized persons.

The rallies in Egypt, Wisconsin and all over the world have been extraordinary.  They have accomplished something that has not been done in a very long time.  The rallies have brought all kinds of different people, with all their quirks and quarrels out in the open to work peacefully towards some kind of resolution.   The people who have responded to the Union workers in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and all over, has brought LGBT groups, unions, women's organizations, environmentalists and more, all out to fight the good fight for those who's very livelihoods and futures hang in the balance together in support of each other.  Organizations with members that usually oppose something in the other, have put it all aside and have come out to stand in solidarity with each other. 

If we could only understand that we are all "dots connected" and reach out to each other all the time, there would be no racisim, sexism, heterosexism, etc.  There would be no organizations fighting for marriage equality while others fight for discrimination.  We would recognize in each person their dignity.  We would not deny each other anything, what so ever.

Prayers

Most loving God, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Book of Common Prayer, page 216),

Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.(Prayer for Towns and Rural Areas, Book of Common Prayer, page 825).

Look with pity, O Holy One, 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. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, page 826

Our Words and Actions Matter

Scriptural Basis

Mark 16:15-20 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the eleven disciples, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.



Blog Reflection of Spirituality, Justice and Inclusion


The Gospel reading for today's commemoration is Mark's version of the great commission.  Mark's rendition is a bit different.  In Matthew 28: 16-20, the narrative depicts Jesus telling his disciples to go out and Baptize all nations in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sancitfier.  In Mark's Gospel, the commission of Jesus to his disciples is to preach the good news.  Jesus then appears to be stating the benefits of being baptized vs. the consequences of not being baptized.  

One thing to keep in mind is that the Bible, including the Gospels are written, translated and revised according to someone or a group of people's perspectives of how they understand what the Bible is to say.  

Are there genuine messages that are maintained from one translation to the other?  Yes.  Are they always worded the same? No.

While the Bible is inspired by our Mother, the Holy Spirit, the humans who translate it are not exempt from making mistakes or inserting their own flavor of what is to be included or excluded.


One such example is the Message Bible.   The Message Bible has some wonderful wording to it.  It actually transcribes many of those clobber passages used against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people in a more readable and less condemning way.  However, the Message Bible was also put together by conservative evangelical people, who have inserted a few anti-semitic ideals into the Bible.  For example there are places in the Psalms that spell the word, "word" as "Word."  In the Bible what that word is spelled with a capitol W it is referring to Jesus.  It contains a sentiment of hostility towards those who believe and practice Judaism.   What seems like semantics to some, is a matter of religious oppression to others.


Today, we are commemorating Saints Cyril and Methodias.  They were missionaries to the Slavic people.  They brought the message of the Gospel and the worship of God to the Slavic people, in their own language.  Their message was not all that well received.  They had their difficulties with the people they were trying to reach as well as within the Church.  Though the Bishop of Rome at the time was very good to them, they still faced incredible opposition from religious people in the country they were working in.  In the end, their words and actions brought some radical change to the people they served.

Our words and actions matter a great deal.  What we do with them and who we use them for and to have their consequences.  


We saw just how effective words and actions can be with the murder of gay rights activist David Kato of Uganda.   

Bishop Gene Robinson wrote a really reflective piece in the Washington Post just before the National Prayer Breakfast.    

Words can inspire good, and they can incite hatred. We're seeing a lot of the latter lately, and it's getting dangerous. Even deadly.

Last week, one of the only gay activists willing to speak out about gay rights in Uganda was bludgeoned to death with a hammer that fractured his skull. The authorities say it was a likely robbery. But David Kato's image had recently appeared in a daily Ugandan newspaper with the headline "Hang Them." His murder, regardless of its true nature, has sent palpable fear through the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender community and their friends, colleagues and families. Because in Uganda, not only might you be murdered for being gay, there is formal legislation that may soon go for a vote before Parliament that would make being a gay "repeat offender," punishable by death. For others - life imprisonment. It proposes extradition for all LGBT Ugandans living overseas, and prison sentences for those who don't turn in their gay friends, colleagues, and even family members. So what does this have to do with America -- a continent away?

An array of conservative American Christians have taken it upon themselves to "educate" those in Africa about the evils evils> of homosexuality. Appearances throughout Uganda and even before the national legislative body, by people claiming to be scientistsscientists >, warning about threats to their children from homosexual predators, and calling acceptance of homosexual people a Western plot to undermine the families of Uganda, had their effect.

But it is a member of "The Family" itself who used this extremist propaganda to create the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, bill: Uganda Member of Parliament David David> Bahati. "The Family" is the secretive group that organizes the highly influential National Prayer Breakfast that is being held this Thursday morning in Washington, DC. Among the most terrifying of the statements in the bill Bahati introduced is this line: "A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death."

Words do matter. While American conservative Christians feign shock that their words would lead to such draconian laws it's not nearly enough when their influence means that every moment of every day, members of Uganda's LGBT community fear for their lives. Why, they had intended no such awful thing!

In southern California, when someone is careless with a campfire, which then gets out of control and burns thousands of acres of land and countless homes, they are held accountable. Just because you didn't intend to burn down trees and homes doesn't mean you are not responsible for its happening. We hold them accountable for the very real damage that they've done, whether or not they intended that damage.

Similarly, words matter, because they can be as combustible as a match in dry underbrush. Incendiary words, whether spoken on TV, or in a town meeting, or halfway across the world, can incite hatred and even violence. When that violence occurs, it's not good enough for those who have incited it to claim no responsibility, because they never intended it. They need to be held accountable.

I know whereof I speak. I have been the target of such incendiary criticism. Dehumanizing someone - in my case someone who is gay -- is the first step in making it acceptable to "take them down." When Anglican archbishops called me and people like me "lower than the dogs" and asserted that when I was consecrated a bishop, "Satan entered the Church," it gives the crazies all the reason they need to take this to a violent level. I required full time security in 2003, and wore a bulletproof vest for my consecration. A year ago, state police arrested a man on his way to kill me - with Mapquest maps to my house, pictures from the Internet (across which the man had scrawled "Save the Church! Kill the Bishop!"), and a sawed-off shotgun and ammo sitting next to him in the passenger seat. These are not idle threats. Incendiary language has real ramifications, giving such imbalanced people the notion that such actions are warranted and acceptable.

So as a bishop in the Episcopalian Church who has been attacked for being openly gay, and as someone who has friends and colleagues in Uganda, I call on the National Prayer Breakfast organizers, as an act of good faith at this Thursday's Breakfast, to lead their roomful of influential politicians, religious leaders, and dignitaries in a prayer of compassion and concern for the family, friends and colleagues of David Kato, and pray for their protection from further harm.

As we continue to strive for justice and equality for LGBTQ and other marginalized persons in the Church and society, it is so imperative that we understand that our words and actions make a huge difference. 

It is the power of the dehumanizing words of those who oppose equality and inclusion for LGBTQ people that they are so effective.  The homonegativity, combined with the "simplified moral constructs," and such as Glenda M. Russell suggests, are done to feed individuals with false information about sexual and gender diversity.  Their words are designed to make LGBTQ people as the "other."  In addition, such words and actions helps push the idea that heterosexuals should continue to benefit at the expense of those who are not. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is written and spoken of in different languages, expressed in so many different ways to be able to reach and transform many different people.  That transformation does not happy in the same way for every person.  We have all been made different.  We are loved by God with all of our different ways of living, loving, existing etc.  

For LGBTQ the message of the Gospel comes in the language of inclusive love and an acceptance of diverse ways of relating, loving, embracing and sharing.  The words "God created us all the same. God created us male and female.  God creates us all straight.  It is poor families, bad examples of masculinity, femininity that have been eroticized that causes homosexual behavior" are words filled with religious based bigotry.  To many looking for a scapegoat to prey upon, the words that I have written in the previous sentence are used to justify cruel behavior.  Such ideology was transported to Uganda by American evangelicals.  Words and actions do matter.

If our goal is to make our words and actions matter to bring about justice, equality and inclusion then we must focus on changing our culture.   When people see lesbian and gay couples out and about, raising children, sharing their love with each other in appropriate ways as on this Valentine's Day, our actions inspire change in the minds of people.   When we share a word of condolence and concern with someone who's spouse has died, our words do move people's hearts.  When we show through our example that we are concerned about the rights of workers to organize and bargain for better wages, health care and retirement benefits, we show that LGBT people are not just about sex or gender surgery.  We are seen and understood to be people of justice for all people.  In so doing, we help peoples minds move, perhaps towards a more open mindedness that not all LGBT people are what the conservative Christians are saying.   We challenge stereotypes and attitudes.  We give our opposition a run for their money.

How is God calling us to use words and actions that matter today?   What difference are we to make with our words and actions to inspire cultural change?   

Today on Valentine's Day, let us make sure that our words and actions communicate a sense of love and respect for all persons.

Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, by the power of the Holy Spirit you moved your servant Cyril and his brother Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people: Overcome all bitterness and strife among us by the love of Christ, and make us one united family under the banner of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Cyril and Methodius, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 223).

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).

 

January 1: The New Year Begins with the Holy Name of Jesus: Savior and Liberator

Luke 2:15-21 (NRSV)

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The designation of this day as the Feast of the Holy Name is new to the 1979 revision of the Prayer Book.  Previous Anglican Prayer Books called it the Feast of the Circumcision.  January first is, of course, the eighth day after Christmas Day, and the Gospel according to Luke records that eight days after his birth the child was circumcised and given the name Jesus.

The Law of Moses required that every male child be circumcised on the eighth day from his birth (Leviticus 12:3); and it had long been the custom to make of it a festive occasion, when family and friends come together to witness the naming of the child.


The liturgical commemoration of the Circumcision is of Gallican origin, and a Council in Tours in 567 enacted the day was to be kept as a fast day to counteract pagan festivities connected with the beginning of the new year.  In the Roman tradition, January first was observed as the octave day of Christmas, and it was specially devoted to the Virgin Mother.


The early preachers of the Gospel lay stress on the name as showing that Jesus was a man of flesh and blood, though also the Son of God, who died a human death, and whom God raised from death to be the Savior (Acts 2:32; 4:12).  The name was given to Jesus, as the angel explained to Joseph, because he would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).  (The word means "Savior" or "Deliverer" in Hebrew).


Then as now, people longed to be freed from evils: political, social, and spiritual.  The name of Jesus calls to mind the true freedom which is ours through Jesus the Christ. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 150).

I am particularly taken by the last paragraph above.  "Then as now, people longed to be freed from evils: political, social, and spiritual."  One of the biggest errors of conservative dogmatic Christianity is the idea of the Name of Jesus delivering us spiritually only.  One of the bigger errors of progressive Christians is that we risk advancing forward with excellent inclusive spiritualities, while forgetting that it is the theology of Christian history that allows us to continue to form and reform the diverse spirituality of our present time.  Progressive Christianity finds its fulfillment by using the best of Christian history with newer understandings of what we are learning today.  


The Name of Jesus Christ is so incredibly awesome that "every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11).  The Name of Jesus should do more for Christians that just make us all warm and fuzzy inside.  The Name of Jesus should also inspire us to a more inclusive and equal society and Church.  Ironically, a lot of Christ followers enjoy using the Name of Jesus to inspire fear, prejudice and an apocalyptic paralyzing of diversity and equality.  This is the kind of fear that is often used by Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics towards any individual who is not white, male, heterosexual, American/European, Christian, able to speak English/Latin or any other language, wealthy, orthodox/conservative and any of the above.  Even God fearing and Mary respecting Catholics love to use Marian Apparitions to scare women over the issue of abortion and LGBT people about same-sex marriage.   American Evangelicals with their anti-gay message have exported hate into the countries of Uganda and beyond suggesting that the creation and passage of a bill that would imprison and execute known homosexuals is somehow "better" than allowing their culture to create an equal and inclusive society for sexual and gender diversity.  These and many other examples hardly reverence the Name of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.  Instilling violence, panic and wide spread fear to any group of people is not what the Name of Jesus Christ represents.


As we begin the Year 2011, I want to call upon all Christians and individuals of good will to pray and work so that Christians will give the Name of Jesus Christ a good name among all the earth.   We need to call right wing Christians and Catholics on the carpet for using the Name of Jesus to scapegoat any person or group of people.  In 2010 we saw an unjust and evil assault on the Islam people waged by Christians.  We continue to see horrible acts of violent rhetoric and behavior towards women, LGBT individuals, couples and families, people of varying races, economic conditions etc.  If all Christians and people of good will would commit themselves to helping to advance a Church and society where we honor all individuals, and allow no person or group of people to be scapegoated without speaking up about it, we will see a change for the better.   We will have successes and failures.  There will be moments when speaking up on behalf of marginalized people will challenge our own comfort zones.  But because of the Name of Jesus Christ, being a voice for the socially and politically oppressed is the right thing to do, we will be doing the work and mission of Christ in our time and world.  


The Name of Jesus Christ is not only our Savior, but also the Liberator of all who are oppressed by political, social and religious individuals and groups.  We need to spend our own time with Jesus as our Savior to help liberate others.  Daily prayer and time with the One who came to change the world by reforming each of us from the inside out.  The Name of Jesus is an opportunity for us to rest in God's presence, while by the Holy Spirit taking Jesus to the world around us.  We do not transform our world and create a good Name for Jesus by spreading a world of darkness.  When we create a society that just cannot help the lowly, discriminated and the dying because it simply costs us too much money or too much of our reputation, we live in a world of darkness and wealth control.   Jesus Christ came to help recreate this world and call his followers to be part of that transformation.  We are called to transform our world from darkness to light, hate to love, exclusion to inclusion.  That is what the Name of Jesus Christ is suppose to do.


May 2011 be the year when Christians and all people of good will truly rise to be part of the transformation that the Name of Jesus Christ was given to do.

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for the Holy Name of Jesus, Book of Common Prayer, page 213).

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).

Third Sunday of Advent: The Empowerment of Those Thought to Be Weak

This Third Sunday of Advent means that we are half way between the beginning of the Advent Season and the celebration of Christmas.  Here in Minnesota we have been braving a massive blizzard, said to be the biggest since 1991.  The huge snow fall with drifts that will go up to and past your knees when walking in the newly fallen snow.  It is as reminder at least to me that the best is yet to come.  Snow is beautiful when it falls, but it is a pain to remove.  We love to look at it, but hate to clean it off of our cars/trucks or other vehicles.  The same can be said for helping the underprivileged of our society.  It is easy for all of us including myself to talk about helping those who are facing racism, sexism, class/economic and social crisis', etc, but don't let us get too close to actually doing something about it.  If we do, the politicians won't have any further excuses to make for not extending unemployment benefits, or repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. 

Today's alternate Psalm response is the Magnificat.  That song that Mary sang when she visited Elizabeth found in Luke 1: 46-55.  In the Magnificat Mary sings of how God has show the strength of God's arm and scattered the proud in their conceit.  God has cast down the mighty and lifted up the lowly.  God has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich have been sent empty.  Mary sings of a society where the privileged no longer dominate the underprivileged, because God has recognized the underprivileged as God's own people.  When God came to us in Christ on that first Christmas, God claimed all of humankind as God's own and those who were rich became poor, so that those who were poor might become rich with God's mercy and goodness.

The readings for this weekends Liturgy speak of a world changed by God's intervention, not by some mysterious episode alone, but by those who have been touched by God's transforming love.  Transformation happens in our human hearts when "Only in God is my soul at rest, in God comes my salvation."  (See Psalm 62).  Yet, God's salvation is not just about the transformation of our own lives by God's grace, it is also the willingness to be about the transformation of a society riddled with prejudice, violence and cruelty.   A society in which violence against gay and lesbian people in Uganda is only growing because of the misinformation delivered there by the Missionaries of Hate.  As a result, Jesus Christ is getting a bad Name.  Rather than reforming society to watch and wait for the return of Jesus with attitudes of inclusion and love, the Name of Jesus is misused to advance the kingdom of darkness and violence.  In Isaiah 35: 1-10 we read about a desert land where the flowers now bloom and water flows.  Those who were once fearful can now find courage and strength.  In a world like that, those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) are no longer losing while heterosexuals and those who are single gender minded benefit.  Anti-immigration bills and bills that take organ transplants away from those who need them as has happened in Arizona, just would not happen, because we recognize God's loving creation and presence in every living person.  Unemployment benefits for everyone including the 99er's would not become hostage to tax breaks for the wealthy, because we realize that the underprivileged are also worth taking care of.

In our Gospel today, Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist has been taken prisoner by Herod.  He wants to know if Jesus is in fact the one John was sent to "prepare the way for."  Jesus sent word back to John telling him of how those who were previously on the margins of society, the underprivileged now know that God includes them as God's people.  John the Baptist hears that God has not forgotten those that society and the Church seem to have forgotten.  They too are part of God's loving plan for all of creation.  

How do we know that God is active and working in our time?  As we watch and wait for the coming of Christ this Advent, how do we see God acting in our time?  When concerned people literally speak up, either by writing a letter to our leaders, help at a soup kitchen, help deliver hot meals to those living with HIV/AIDS, or push for the repeal of DADT, God is active through what we do.  Because as we speak up or help, the hungry are filled with good things, while the rich are sent away empty.  God scatters the proud of heart, while raising up the lowly, because through our work God has put a name and a face on those who would otherwise go unforgotten.  As Christianist groups work harder and harder to make false statements about LGBTQ people, those of us who are LGBTQ who speak up by telling our stories help push back against those who want to see us disappear in to obscurity.  As we come out to our friends, families, church communities, work places etc, we let people know that the folks that Fred Phelps, Tony Perkins, Bryan Fischer and Paul Cameron bash are us. People that others know and care a lot about.  When we allow people to know that we are here and that we have hearts that love other people very deeply, God releases those who would otherwise be held captive. 

As we continue on our Advent journey to Christmas, let us watch and wait while we give evidence of God's transforming power.  May God transform us and our world around us so that all many know that God has a special place for them and us.  May all around us know and hear of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love by our faith and works that are the result of a world transformed.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent, page 212).

Most gracious God,
        be with us as together we seek to transform
        the systems which oppress so many.
    Strengthen our resistance not to conform to the status quo and
        encourage us to question our own change movements,
        their goals and means, and what it means to lead and follow
        faithfully.
    Amen. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture)

We Are Commanded to Love One Another

John 15:17 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Today is the commemoration of Sts. Simon and Jude who traditionally have been known as "Apostles to Persia". Because these two men were Apostles today is what we call in our Episcopal Church calendar a red letter day. 

We do not know as much as we would like to about these two Apostles.  We know that Catholics have offered novena's to St. Jude and often we will see devotions to the Saint in the classified section of the newspaper.  We know of the incredible work of St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  A facility known for its outstanding work on behalf of children who have cancer.    St. Simon is most likely the Zealot, whom that is pretty much all we know.  It is said that both actually died very peaceful deaths as opposed to others who were beheaded, crucified or tortured in other ways.  

I am having one of those days when I have a lot on my mind.  The elections are coming up.  The Tea Party has many people scared to death.  Last night Keith Olbermann on MSNBC gave a wonderful special comment about why we all need to go out and vote next November 2.  I have things to do, people to call and responsibilities to my husband.   Yet, in the midst of all this stuff to do, I have to stop and write this blog today.  Because in the Gospel for today's commemoration are the words: "Love one another."

The words of Jesus: "love one another" are hard words for me to read/hear.  I like things to go my way.  I might not be so loving of others next week if Republicans or Tea Party folks win elections on Tuesday.  I have a real hard time trying to convince people who have been so offended by Christians like Sharon Angle of Nevada promoting attack ads against immigrants and African Americans and others who are not white, Christian, heterosexual or other wise, that someone like her should be loved, because Jesus said to "love one another."   I have a very hard time with "love one another" with Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Emmer having participated in a Christian Rap group that sings a tune saying: "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide" aimed particularly at me, a gay man and my husband, and many of my good friends here in Minnesota.  Being told by Jesus to "love one another" is real difficult for me to do with Archbishop Nienstedt and his anti-marriage equality DVD and that fact that a number of my good friends will be refused Communion this upcoming  Sunday because they will be wearing a rainbow colored sash at St. Paul's Cathedral.

The fact that Jesus tells me I must love them as Jesus loves me, does not in any way mean that I must agree or approve of what they do.   Being asked to love them means it is my responsibility to call them out when they are imploring "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" upon myself and others like me.  Jesus gave us the commandments to love one another even toward those who misuse the Bible and their pastoral authority to abuse LGBTQ people and other minorities.  It is a very loving thing to tell Archbishop Nienstedt that he and his Priests as St. Paul's Cathedral are using "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" when they refuse the Presence of God in the Eucharist to people wearing a rainbow sash.  As is the authority that came from Cardinal Arinze in 2005 from Rome that told former Archbishop Harry Flynn to do that.  It is quite loving to not vote for Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Tom Emmer, Carl Paladino, and so many more because of their outrageous homophobic statements.  It is very loving to disagree with the Archbishop of Canterbury's statements towards LGBTQ people and the Episcopal Church when the Diocese of Los Angeles ordained Suffragan Bishop Mary Glasspool.   It is a very loving thing to tell the Anglican Bishop of Uganda and the leaders of Uganda that their bill to "kill the gays" by hanging and/or putting them in prison for life is so wrong that it should not even be printed on Government paper.  It is quite loving to tell Lou Engle that he sounds like Adolf Hitler when he rallies his crowds against any group of people that are not quite like him.  When Christians insight violence and influence hate, they are doing wrong to Christ and the Church.  

We are commanded to love one another.  That means that we tell Church leaders that when they or anyone for that matter scapegoats, LGBTQ, immigrants, people without health care, poor people, people of different races, women, Jewish, Islam and other people for their personal, financial and political gain, they are profaning the Name of Jesus Christ and violating the commandment of love.   Love demands that we sacrifice our popular stature to take a lash or two rhetorically or even literally for standing up for the truth, that all human beings are created in the image of God, and that we "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. with God's help." (BCP 294).   That is why the work of the Church to accept and include LGBTQ, women, and all people within our doors, and to share in the Sacraments is so very important.  It is just one way in which we fulfill Christ's commandment to "love one another."

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Sts. Simon and Jude, Book of Common Prayer, page 245). 

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, page 101).

Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To all who have executive authority and to all who have administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To those who make our laws give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. (Prayer for Sound Government, BCP, pages 821-822).


Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or, of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for an Election, BCP, page 822).

  

Shepherds, Theives and Wolves: Which of These Three Represents the Church?

John 10:1-18 (NRSV)

'Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.'

When a Bishop is consecrated and ordained one of the symbols of a Bishop's office is the crosier.  The crosier is a symbol that reminds the Bishop and the people that Christ is the good shepherd.  The Bishop is an ordained minister who serves Jesus Christ the shepherd while helping to tend to Christ's flock.  This is a terrific reminder that all of us are led by Jesus, and that lay people, bishops, priests and deacons are all orders of ministry with the responsibility of representing Christ and the Church. (See pages 855 and 856 of the Book of Common Prayer).  Within the Church are diverse groups of people, all of whom are called to share the ministry of hospitality and reconciliation in whatever order of ministry we find ourselves.

How are we in the Church doing with representing Christ and the Church?  Are we representatives of a Church that is a shepherd so that all people can find themselves welcomed, to be reconciled and find peace with God?  Or are we deceiving people and instead behaving like thieves and wolves looking to welcome people only so that we can be destructive?  Are we willing to look at our behaviors and attitudes towards those who come to the Church looking for an open hands, arms, minds and hearts will find those things?


The challenge for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer people is finding a church home that will accept us as we are.  So many of us have wandered into the "sheep folds" of church communities hoping to find peace with God, only to find ourselves coerced by Pastors who wish to exploit and change our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity by committing us to ex-gay ministries.  LGBTQ couples have been welcomed into church communities only to find Pastors and church members attempting to destroy loving relationships, or keep them out of the choir, from teaching Sunday school or participating in the supper club.  We don't think of such attitudes and behaviors as stealing, but when people are so prejudiced that they cannot leave individuals to God so that God can do God's work with them, it is as if we are thieves or wolves looking to steel sheep from Christ's sheepfold so that they can be devoured with "Christian Values used as Weapons of Mass Destruction" (Rev. Susan Russell),

How about American Evangelicals embarking as missionaries of hate to Uganda so that their country may write bill that if passed will mean life in prison or death by hanging for known homosexuals?   Parents in that country now have the attitude that they would rather their lesbian and gay children die by hanging than be openly or actively who they are.   Is this the work of thieves and wolves, appearing as shepherds?

We might like to leave such descriptions to Evangelical and/or Fundamentalist church communities, but what about Roman Catholic or Anglican communities?  When the Archbishop of Canterbury threatens to lower the Episcopal Church on the tier of the Anglican Communion because of the election and ordination of Suffragan Bishop Mary Glasspool, isn't even Archbishop Rowan Williams behaving more like a ravenous wolf than a shepherd?   Or how about an Anglican Covenant that is designed to shut down the conversations that lead to the further exclusion of LGBTQ people?   Is this really a better example of the Church leading us to "greener pastures"?  


Today the Episcopal Church commemorates Bishop Paul Jones who was Bishop of Utah.  Bishop Jones spoke out against war during the days before and after World War I.  The House of Bishops as well as many people within the flock of Utah protested Bishop Jones' statements against war.  He later resigned due to pressure against his position.  Even after he left the office of Bishop, Jones continued to speak out against the injustices of war.  He died at the beginning of World War II in 1941.

During his farewell address to the Missionary District of Utah in 1918 Bishop Jones said: "Where I serve the Church is of small importance, so as long as I can make my life count in the cause of Christ.... Expediency may make necessary the resignation of a Bishop at this time, but no expedience can ever justify the degradation of the ideals of the episcopate which these conclusions seem to involve." (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 560).  

 
Yet here is the Church in the Year 2010 and we have spoken against the outrage of war.  Will the Church by 2020 finally realize that all the schisms over the ordination of Bishop Gene Robinson and Bishop Mary Glasspool were just as wrong as opposing Bishop Jones' opposition to war?   Will the Church look back and realize that those who have been splitting the Episcopal Church and the ELCA over LGBTQ equality and realize that they have been acting like thieves and wolves rather than wise shepherds?   Will they realize that the Holy Spirit was already at work, and they just misjudged her?  What then will the Church do to help the souls who turned away from the Church not wanting to bother, and finding safer sheepfolds elsewhere?


How can we in 2010 help the Church to understand our role as shepherds?   How can we better represent Christ and the Church as we support LGBTQ equality and inclusion?   How can we be that voice for people who are confused or resentful of the Church because we appear more like thieves and wolves?  


The point of Christ the Good Shepherd is that Jesus wants to lead us by his voice of love and compassion.  The Holy Spirit is not about violence, hate, cruelty and exclusion.  The Holy Spirit who leads "us into all truth" (Jn 16: 12)  wants to lead us into the truth that there are no children of God that are not important to God.  Heterosexism that fuels the fire of homophobia is not of God.  Any "ism" that leads us to condescend any of God's people is not shepherding them into truth.  Any "ism" that deprives any of God's people of the dignity that is theirs by virtue of being created, redeemed and sanctified by God, is not shepherding God's people.  The voice that God's people are searching for is the voice that leads us to safety and wholeness where we find God's gracious mercy and unconditional love.  When we find God's salvation in the cross of Jesus, we are being guided by the Holy Spirit into all truth. 
All of us are called to be part of the solution as we work with the Holy Spirit to address our faults and shortcomings, so that she can turn them into opportunities for ministry.  How are we answering that call?  There are so many in our local communities who are lost trying to find their way through the complicated pastures of life.  The Church has answers, but if they we are to be understood as shepherds, we must also understand and change where we appear more like thieves and wolves.   

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 17, Book of Common Prayer, page 233).

Merciful God, you sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in this and every land witnesses who, after the example of your servant Paul Jones, will stand firm in proclaiming the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Bishop Jones, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 561).