First Sunday in Lent: Covenant, Baptism, Temptation, Inclusion

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 9:8-17 (NRSV)

God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."

Psalm 25 (BCP, p.614).


1 Peter 3:18-22 (NRSV)

Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Mark 1:9-15 (NRSV)

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

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

Blog Reflection

The Genesis story of Noah, the flooding and the Covenant that God establishes with humankind, has some major problems.  It is highly doubtful that the story is an original. Pieces of the narrative have very similar themes, events and endings as the Mesopotamian flood hero Utnapishtim, a principal character in the Gilgamesh Epic.  The story may be factual.  It might also be a mythological tale taken from other literature of the day.   

Part of the problem with the narrative is that it is comprised of two different versions woven together.  Some of the details appear to have been from a Priestly version, such as the first account of Creation in Genesis 1.  Other parts of the account are provided from the Yahwists perspective such as the case in the second story of Creation in Genesis 2.   The two versions of the story, leave the reader quite confused as to which version has it's facts in order.  The text in and of itself does not give us a very good picture.


The issue of it's origination is not finally the point.  What the story is saying to us as we are on this journey of Lent cannot be overlooked.  

In this Year of 2012, it is really difficult for us to imagine a scenario in which a "loving and merciful God" would decide to destroy all that God had created, because it had gone corrupt.  After all, it was God's creation.  Is it possible that the corruption was the fault of God, with something God got wrong? 


The narrative challenges us to consider the question: Does God change?


I am of the opinion that God's unconditional and all inclusive love and forgiving mercy do not change. Given that God is One who has  been consistently active in the events of the world, I do think that God meets us in the changing course of things, with a willingness to be the origin and destiny of all changes.  I think God works as much with science including the theory of evolution as a possible explanation of what the Creation story actually means. God works through the technological and medical advancements of the modern age. God is present  and active even in politics, as much as God influences religious communities and theological geniuses.  God is not a stagnant Being, but as the One in Whom all that is good originates and ultimately ends.   The concept of "God" is one that human beings have been struggling with ever since time began.  Humankind will continue to come short of being able to fully understand who God is, or what God does, well after our lifetime.

What I believe the Genesis story says to us quite clearly, is that whatever happened in the flood, God made a covenant by which God has to be accountable.  John C. Holbert in a commentary our reading from Genesis today, provides some insight into what he thinks the rainbow covenant means.

"I am about to establish (or "set up") my covenant with you (pl) and with your (pl) seed after you, and with every living creature with you, the birds, the domestic and wild animals, all those that left the ark, every last creature" (9:9-10). The grammar of this sentence is somewhat tortured in Hebrew, but the implication is extremely important: the covenant, the contract between God and God's vast and disparate creation, poised on the divine tongue, is thoroughly and completely inclusive of all those made by God in Genesis 1. No one is excluded; no one is left out. The horrors of the cataclysmic flood are never to be repeated. "I now set up my covenant with you that never again will all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood and that never again will a flood corrupt the earth" (9:11).

Two words from that last sentence contain large ironic resonance. First, the word "cut off" is regularly used in other places in the tradition to describe the very act of making covenant! It is often said that a covenant is "cut" (this same verb), possibly referring to the ancient practice of cutting animals for proper sacrifice by way of symbolizing the covenant being made (see, for example, Gen 15's covenant between God and Abram). This covenant, though it might be said to be "cut," will stop any future "cutting off" of the world's creatures.

The second ironic word is "corrupt." God says that no flood will ever again "corrupt" the earth; it is this same word that in Gen 6:11 describes one of the very reasons for the unleashing of the flood in the first place! Human "corruption" may have grieved the heart of God, but now after the flood, God vows never again to bring divine "corruption," despite the continuous presence of human evil.

The Covenant God establishes is inclusive.   This in and of itself implies that the separations that many Christianists make with regards to women, LGBT, people of differing religions, races, cultures and languages, etc., is a distinction that is human made. Not God ordained or sanctioned. Such are not an exception being made by God.

This brings us to the reality that as Christians, the story of Noah and the Covenant prefigures what Baptism means for us. 

The Gospel narrative from Mark begins with Jesus' Baptism.  So begins Jesus' public ministry.  Baptism  is our starting point, through which we are adopted as God's own.  We, like Jesus and because of Jesus, are Beloved of God, with whom God is well-pleased.  In our Baptism, not only do we receive our name as God's beloved, but we also die with Christ on the Cross, and rise with Christ on Easter Day. (See Romans 6: 1-11).

As sure as the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness among the wild beasts to be tempted, and was waited on by angels, so God does not leave us alone in our desert journey.   God was guiding  Jesus and helping him to know that God was the One by which he would survive and be saved.

Jesus then begins proclaiming the Good News, by saying that the Reign of God was at hand, so repent and believe.

As God's beloved, with whom God is well-pleased, we can trust that God is with us through our journey's of life and faith.  As LGBT Christians, we too are claimed as God's beloved.  In Jesus Christ we have been redeemed and forgiven for our sins. 

Our sins of having denied the reality of who we are by living in closets of death and deception.  Our sins of lying to God, others and ourselves about who we are.  Our sins of trying to fool others into thinking we are someone other than who we really are.  The sin of allowing ourselves to be caught up in the false teachings of a so called Bible-belief that our being LGBT and acting on it with in loving relationships would some how mean, that God damns us and hates us.  

Those signs with the words: "God Hates Fags!"  Those signs are blatant lies, not actual truths.  Those who write them know what the Bible reads, but they do not know what it actually says or means.  If they did, they would never write such horrible words.

The faith that we profess during this season of Lent, is by which God embraces everyone.  Even those with whom we disagree.  This morning, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral had the privilege of having as our Preacher. the Rev. Canon Peg Chamberlain, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Churches.  During her outstanding sermon, she asked us to participate in an activity that a colleague of his uses, whenever he visits a Baptist church.  He tells every person to turn around to the person and say: "God loves you, and so do I, and there is nothing you can do about it."

What would happen if all of us Christians learned to act in such a way that we turned to everyone we meet with the attitude of "God loves you, and so do I, and there is nothing you can do about it?"   Do you think that at last people might actually see peace as the acceptable alternative to war?  Would people who prefer discrimination and violence, begin to realize that all are children of God and that hospitality and reconciliation is the only acceptable form of relating to others?

Today's message for us in 2012, as we are on this journey of Lent, is whether you are tempted, or in sin, or feeling like you have been excluded because of someone's poor judgment and/or behavior, or that no one really cares about you, is that God loves you, so do I, and there is nothing you can do about it.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of
each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (First Sunday in Lent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 218).


Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).


O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 818).

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent: No! Not Transitions!

Today's Bible Reading

Luke 1: 5-25 (NRSV)

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 

Blog Reflection

In his Rule, St. Benedict wrote the following:

Do not grant newcomers to the monastic life an easy entry, but, as the Apostle says, Test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1).  Therefore, if someone comes and keeps knocking at the door, and if at the end of four or five days she/he has shown herself/himself patient in bearing her/his harsh treatment and difficulty of entry, and has persisted in her/his request, then she/he should be allowed to enter and stay in the guest quarters for a few days.  After that, she/he should live in the novitiate, where the novices study, eat and sleep.

A senior chosen for her/his skill in winning souls should be appointed to look after them with careful attention.  The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether she/he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and trials.  The novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead her/him to God.  (Rule of St. Benedict in English, 1980, Chapter 58: vs 1-8, pages 78-79).

Today's Speaking to the Soul takes note of the difference between Mary's response to the message of the Angel in yesterday and tomorrow's Gospel vs Zechariah's response in today's reading.   The author of the blog post suggests:

I am more like Zechariah than I am like Mary. When the angel visits with an unexpected insight of peculiar wonder, I am much more likely to ask, "How will I know that this is so?" than I am to respond, "Let it be with me according to your word."

I am a natural doubter. I tend to hedge my bets and need some corroborative evidence before I commit. Even when I've tilted to a place where I mostly believe something, a large portion of me stays in abeyance, nurturing a comfortable doubt, just in case. I don't jump in with both feet, not at first.

I think Mary's response of "Let it be done to me according to your word" can be like Soldiers being deployed such as they were during the now ended Iraq War.  Okay, Mary was not being called into battle, but she was definitely called to undertake something that would challenge the times around her.  

Zechariah's response is more like getting the news that you got a job that while it looked good at the time you applied, now you are not so sure you have what it takes to do it.  So, you want to think it over for a while. You are likely to keep your mouth closed about the offer until you decide. Except when the new supervisor suggests that they need an answer within 24 hours.  Then you have to think about your present employment situation the good and not so good vs. a situation full of very interested, but not so sure about your future there.  You know you want better, but are you ready to give up the security of what you already enjoy to a not so sure kind of future?

The issue at hand of course is transitions. 

When I was getting ready to graduate from college, I was literally afraid of the transition that was before me.  I had been a closeted gay person in a life of chosen celibacy for the past six years.  I was somewhat protected by the Christian College environment by attending chapel services and close friends in a familiar setting that appeared to protect me from coming out.  At that point in time, I was wanting to consider entering a monastery near by.  I even entered it, figuratively through my actions and behaviors around me.  Then one day while I was talking on the phone to a Monk of the nearby Benedictine Monastery, I admitted that I was just afraid of the transition of being a student to becoming a working, active adult.  I was not prepared at that point to admit to him that I am gay, and I am really afraid that once I leave, I just might have to face being who I really am.  The Monk surprised me when he said: "Transitions are just a bitch."  He went on to say that whether a Monk or working adult in the world, the important thing is to be open to the free movement of the Holy Spirit and to trust in God no matter where the Spiritual wind blows.  Because if I could not do that as a working adult, I certainly was not going to succeed as a Monk.

I am an individual who struggles with Aspergers Syndrome.  Transitions are more complicated for me than they already are for people who do not have Asperger's.  Transitions take a while for me to adjust to and find a sense of stability in the midst of the change.  The last two and half to three years since I left Courage and came back out, feel in love with my partner, went from being Catholic to Episcopalian and began better understanding what it is that makes communications and relationships so doggone difficult, have been one transition after another.   And here I am, I am still coming full circle, with more transitions ahead of me.

Whether we are straight, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer (LGBTQ), in the closet or out, we won't find a sense of stability unless we are also open to the transitions of God's Holy Spirit.  Being open does not mean we take everything that happens and do it right away.  We are not closed to our Mother the Holy Spirit when we decide to take our time and "Test the spirits to see if they are from God." (1 John 4:1).  As the Angel visited with Mary and Zechariah and each responded in their own way to God's call to transition, so God also visits all of us.  Each of us responds differently to God's invitation to transition.  God honors our diversity and works with us as a compassionate and gentle Mother.  There are moments when She moves on us and we are just not sure.  Other times, when She taps our heart, we respond right away.

Psalm 62 from our Morning Prayer today says "For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation.   God alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong hold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken." (See Psalm 62, BCP 669, with inclusive language changes made by me).

The Season of Advent is about transition.  It is about preparing for transition.  The Monk from Glastonbury Abbey was correct.  Transitions are a bitch. God knows that.  If there is one thing the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day tells us, is that God comes to be with us in our transitions.  God will challenge us to move out of those Pandoras Boxes we put God, others and ourselves in.  God will also be with us when we'd rather keep the lid shut, because we are just not ready.  God will come to heal our broken relationships including the relationship between God and ourselves as we face those fears that are due to our own prejudices and misinformation that keep us locked away and unable to see the person God loves in the mirror.  The journey of Jesus from Bethlehem to Calvary tells us that in Jesus, God walks with us,. God suffers with us. God falls with us.  When we find ourselves at the end where death seems like the only way out, God shows us in Christ that there is resurrection after all.

Are we ready for the transition?

What will our response be to God's call to transition?


Prayers

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,
that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a
mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. (Fourth Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 212).


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

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: Awaiting the God of Freedom and Redemption from Oppression

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11

John 1:6-8,19-28 (NRSV)

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.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Blog Reflection

Those trying to push a more conservative Catholic social teaching suggest that the only way we can be truly free is to not give in to our whims and urges to do whatever we want.  The idea behind this teaching is that there can only be the possibility of freedom if LGBT people forsake the idea of living our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression openly and be celibate.  Women cannot be free if they are having abortions or using contraception.  Men cannot be free unless they attend St. Joseph's Keepers and agree to be a family father who takes his family and children to Mass every week and becomes made in the image of the Catholic churches' teaching of how a man should be.

I am of the opinion that freedom cannot be found by becoming the ideal walking model of any particular churches' teaching.  Freedom means being exactly who we are before God, others and most importantly ourselves.  We can model our own lives by what we find best suits who we are.  There are many interpretations of how someone should be.  Everyone has some kind of social standards and/or even boundaries that suits where they are at. 

God is not a partial God.  God is not looking for the next poor soul to damn because she/he hasn't measured up to some moral standards laid down by some church or political group.  God is a God of freedom and redemption.  Every individual person is valuable and worth saving.   That is why we celebrate this Advent as we prepare to celebrate the event in which God came to us, in the middle of our filth and poorest conditions in the revelation of God's Self in Christ.

In the reading from Isaiah God has sent God's anointed to "proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners."  God prophesies through Isaiah that "Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples, all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed." 

So many individuals who are questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression are longing to come out and acknowledge their true selves before God and the Church.  They are looking for a path to personal freedom and redemption.   Ex-gay groups do not provide this freedom and redemption as they work with questioning persons to further imprison such people in closets of self doubt and fear of the shame that could come should they ever choose to act on the natural sexual and gender expression that is a natural part of who she/he is.  

In our Gospel today, we see the Pharisees sent to talk to John the Baptist to find out what he has been doing.   They have heard of wonderful things happening in the lives of those who come to hear this man that is so badly dressed and poorly bathed.  They want to confront this man who has caught the attention of so many people.  In reply, John doesn't keep the attention placed on himself.  John tells of one who is among them who is greater than himself.  One who will bring the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and will change the order of how things have been.

Time and again, we can and are continuing to learn that it is not the conventional person only who steers society and the Church towards radical change.  It is those who are most separated from the mainstream looking for their place.   Those who just want a piece of bread or a little water just to make it through until their next meal who can most change society and the Church if we will only let them in.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people can call the Church to a newer understanding of who Jesus is.  We can do it by doing the unconventional things that just don't seem to fit in.  When we are allow ourselves to come out of our closets and develop a healthy relationship with God, others and ourselves we can help create a greater world of freedom and redemption.  Just by being ourselves.

St. Paul in the reading from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 tells us to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  

The circumstances that make it difficult for us to come out and be who we are, are opportunities for us to face our prisons of self doubt and be released.  We can rejoice and pray without ceasing, giving thanks for every moment we learn something new about ourselves and our relationships with others. 

I have heard endless stories of individuals who have come out.  Many who have said: "When I came out, I finally made my peace with God."  Why do they (I, we) say that?  Because we cannot find true redemption and freedom until we can be the person God made us to be, openly and without self destructive attitudes and behaviors thrust upon us by Christianists who continue to vilify LGBT people.

God desires the personal, social, political and religious freedom of all people.  Because in Christ, God has redeemed us to God's Self.  All of us are among those redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Waiting for God means taking time to be alone with God with a good look in our personal mirror and seeing the wonderful person God has made in us.  It means seeing those things that maybe they are not totally right all the way around, but recognizing that God does not love us any less because of imperfection. 

We live in a world where many marginalized persons from LGBT to immigrants, the poor and terminally ill etc live in prisons and are captive to a society that gives all of it's prestige and opportunity to those who measure up to their wealthy standards.  Our political system that is suppose to seek liberty and justice for all persons, only focuses on some who are filling their pockets with corporate interests.   This is not the ideal that God has for our world or the Church.

As we await the coming of God to bring freedom and redemption, let us remember that God is already with us seeking to bring freedom and redemption in the here and now.  Our sins are no match for the wonderful graces of God through Jesus Christ.  God is longing to transform us and the world around us by our participation in the word of preparing the Church and society to be places where all are welcomed and all have an opportunity for a better tomorrow.


Prayers

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. (Third Sunday of Advent: Book of Common Prayer, page 212).

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.   (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, page 816).

O 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, Book of Common Prayer, pages 821-822).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

St. Andrew the Apostle: Being Open to Living Openly as LGBT Christians

Today's Scripture Readings

The Gospel for the Eucharistic Liturgy

Matthew 4:18-22 (NRSV)

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

The Gospel for the Daily Office

John 1:35-42 (NRSV)

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, 'Look, here is the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, 'What are you looking for?' They said to him, 'Rabbi' (which translated means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' He said to them, 'Come and see.' They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated Anointed ). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas' (which is translated Peter ).

Blog Reflection

Forward Day by Day has a great meditation on St. Andrew.

Matthew and Mark seem to say that when Jesus saw Andrew and his brother Peter fishing and called them to follow him, they instantly dropped everything and did so, no questions asked. John’s Gospel (1:35-42) suggests there was more to the story than that. It appears that Andrew was first a follower of John the Baptist who heard John say of Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God!” Andrew didn’t follow Jesus just then, but asked if he might visit with Jesus and get to know him. Jesus agreed, and only after that did Andrew go to his brother Peter and say, “We have found the Messiah.” Peter then joined Andrew and the two became disciples of Jesus.

That Andrew was with John the Baptist suggests he had already been searching for something. People don’t usually listen to evangelists unless something is missing in their lives. That’s one of the first steps toward discipleship­—acknowledging an empty place, perhaps a painfully empty place, in your soul and being willing to take some risks to fill it. Andrew also shows an openness of mind, for though already familiar with John the Baptist and drawn to him, he was willing to leave John for something and someone new and unknown.

 As I think about St. Andrew dropping his nets and following Jesus from Matthew's Gospel, I also think about what it is like for a questioning young woman or man to leave all they have been taught about what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender to discover the truth about themselves.   Even if the person coming to a realization about her or his sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is not a teenager can feel like they are revisiting their puberty years.  Accepting yourself after years and days of resisting and rejecting who you really are, can feel like you have left your old life and embraced something new.

Whether we take our Gospel reading for the Feast of St. Andrew from Matthew or John, it is very apparent that after Andrew heard Jesus or was pointed out to Jesus by John the Baptist, that Andrew knew that there was something very new and wonderful before his eyes.  Andrew was in deed searching for something new. 

LGBTQ people stuck in closets of self rejection and suffocation are often longing to be open to God and those they love about who they really are.  Many who attend Christian churches with their families have heard that God loves all people and wants them to know the forgiveness of their sins and the conversion of their life.  But, no matter how much they pray and try, that feeling of being sexually attracted to someone of the same sex just does not go away.   They may hear the Scriptures interpreted as condemning homosexuality.  But their own human experience which for Episcopalians and Anglicans includes that great gift of Reason, tells them that there is something very natural about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.

Maybe St. Andrew did give up his work as a fisherman and follow Jesus.   And it is clear that Andrew also found others to welcome into the company of the disciples who chose to follow Jesus.  But he still had his abilities as a fisherman that helped him know how to serve God and others in a way that only Andrew the fisherman could do.  

An LGBTQ person can only love and serve God and others as the women and men that we are.  We cannot serve God as straight people.  We have not been created that way.  

For the LGBTQ person the greatest moment of radical conversion comes when they stop thinking that God hates us for our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression and decide to drop all the anti-LGBT rhetoric and just follow Jesus Christ as the women and men that we are.  We "leave the nets" of self destructive behavior and start living our lives openly with our friends, families, church communities and so forth and experience the Holy Spirit guiding us in the way of truth about who we are, who and how we love other people.

Being a disciple, an Apostle of Jesus Christ means being open to being shown new things by God the Holy Spirit.  It means accepting where we are at and giving our all to the service of God and all humankind for the glory of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  LGBTQ people can and do the work of evangelization and mission by simply surrendering ourselves to the Holy Spirit instead of stifling her from using us as we are, to influence others for the common good of all people.

A disciple and Apostle of Jesus Christ takes the example of how Jesus lived his life and seeks to do the work of helping to end the suffering of the poor, the sick and the marginalized in society and the Church.  Just as Jesus healed the paralysis of the physically challenged man (see Mark 2: 1-12) and fed the four and five thousand, Jesus called Andrew then and us today to be part of building a Church and a society of radical hospitality and reconciliation.  A welcome and healing that goes beyond our gender, age, ethnic background, race, language, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, employment status, wealth status, immigration status and sees Jesus Christ present in all people, asking us to serve Jesus as he comes to us.

How are we helping others find their way to Jesus?   How are we allowing God to change our lives as we are?   How are we allowing the Holy Spirit to challenge us in those places where we still harbor our prejudices and resentments towards others who are different from ourselves?   How can St. Andrew influence us to be better disciples and Apostles for Jesus Christ?

St. Andrew and all Saints, inspire us with your good works.   Amen.

Prayers

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Andrew, Book of Common Prayer, page 237).

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.  (First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 211).

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. (Book of Common Prayer, page 101).