Finding the Greatest Among the Rejected: Thoughts About The Archbishops Prayerful Abuse of LGBT People

Today's Scripture Reading

Isaiah 54: 1-10 (NRSV)

Sing, O barren one who did not bear;
   burst into song and shout,
   you who have not been in labour!
For the children of the desolate woman will be more
   than the children of her that is married, says the Lord.
Enlarge the site of your tent,
   and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
   and strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left,
   and your descendants will possess the nations
   and will settle the desolate towns.

Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
   do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
   and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.
For your Maker is your husband,
   the Lord of hosts is his name;
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
   the God of the whole earth he is called.
For the Lord has called you
   like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off,
   says your God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
   but with great compassion I will gather you.
In overflowing wrath for a moment
   I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
   says the Lord, your Redeemer.

This is like the days of Noah to me:
   Just as I swore that the waters of Noah
   would never again go over the earth,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
   and will not rebuke you.
For the mountains may depart
   and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
   and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
   says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Luke 7: 24-30 (NRSV)

When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way before you.”

I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ (And all the people who heard this, including the tax-collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.) 

Blog Reflection

I am writing this blog post after having literally been shot in the heart by some news I have just read.  The local Catholic Archbishop has published a prayer to be used at Masses and other parish church functions that the Holy Spirit will help Minnesota pass a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality for LGBT people on November 6, 2012.  The betrayal that I am experiencing is very deep as a result of the use of public prayer as a means of promoting religious and spiritually based violence on myself and others who seek to have our relationships recognized by the civil Government.

In my anger and sadness, I decided it was time to write my blog today.  So, I turned to the Lectionary for Thursday in the Third Week of Advent and I find this Gospel about Jesus praising the person and work of John the Baptist.  The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures from Isaiah also had something positive to say to me in the midst of my emotional response to the spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse of the Catholic Archbishop's prayer.

John the Baptist was not what we would call the usual and typical guy.  He lived outside of what was considered to be "normal".   He wore the clothing of camel's hair and ate bugs and honey.  He probably was not a very clean man.  Yet, the words of this unusual man and his call to repentance of a people who were experiencing political, social and religious oppression was so great that many people went to him to be Baptized.

Jesus is challenging those who are listening to him to look at their motives when going to see this John the Baptist that was so different.  They did not find someone who could both talk eloquently and look like the drop dead gorgeous guy that looks clean and wears a $300.00 suit and a $95.00 tie.  Perhaps they were looking for someone to say "your religious and political leaders are doing such noble and holy work.  Trust in God and be polite to them.  Everything will work out just fine."  But, that is not what they found.

Instead they found someone who was preparing the way for God to come to them, by calling everyone from the person in the highest political and religious position to those looking for a reason to hold on another day, to repent of their sins and recreate a place where everyone can find hope in God.  Not only in their communities, but in their hearts.

Jesus said: "I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’  Jesus recognized the power of God in one who was so different, and the greatness of God's work through someone who was so rejected.

I think that Jesus would say the same about women and men who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer (LGBTQ) today.

The LGBT people who served in secret in the United States Military while Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the law, and now can serve openly since the law's repeal are the greatest among those rejected.  It was assumed that if they are open about their sexuality that they were not qualified to serve and defend our freedoms.  Because they and other LGBT and allied Americans would not accept that answer, we worked together to repeal the law.  And thank God for all our women and men in uniform, including our LGBT soldiers. Even with Rick Perry's shameful ad suggesting that there is something wrong in America with gays being allowed to serve openly, while falsely stating that children in school cannot pray or celebrate Christmas.  Please see my blog post with Bishop Gene Robinson's articulate response to Rick Perry from this past Monday.  It is a response that is both just and holy.

Many of us LGBT people often feel like we are among those that God abandoned for a brief time like in Isaiah 54: 7, because of religious based bigotry and oppression.  Regardless of what religious tradition we come from, or even if we are not religious at all.  It can seem like Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Episcopalians/Anglicans/Orthodox/Lutherans etc are given God's authority to continue pastoral and religious based violence towards LGBT people.   No wonder so many LGBT people just can't be part of any kind of organized religion.  Many good hearted LGBT people prefer to be considered as spiritual, but not religious.  Many say they are Christian, but just won't attend a church service or listen to a preacher for fear of what they might hear or experience.  They may say like Bishop Robinson only with different words.  If this is Christianity count me out.

Let us confront two major problems in light of the person of Jesus and John the Baptist.

For Christians, we feel that the verses in Isaiah 53 have something to say about the suffering and death of Jesus.   "He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hid their faces...." (Isaiah 53:3).   Jesus was a man who experience rejection.  The rejection came from those who held religious authority & political authority in his time.  Yet, his rejection and even his horrible death on the Cross brought about the redemption of those who respond to God through the Christian message of salvation.  

Just as John the Baptist, Jesus is an example of someone who was rejected, yet was the greatest among people.  Rather than accept his rejection, but use it to feel sorry for himself and just isolated and inactive in the lives of others who were rejected, Jesus chose to do just the opposite.  Jesus identified with others who were marginalized and rejected.  Jesus healed the sick, saw the beauty and holiness of the eunuchs (the gay men of his time) and affirmed God's creative and redemptive possibilities for everyone. Jesus even put a face on the dead and gave them new hope for eternal life.

I have written before and will continue to write that if Jesus had harsh words for anyone, it was said to those who felt that God owed them something. Just because they were in a place of high prestige and were so deserving of God's graciousness for being so damned wonderful.  Jesus' harsh reminder of who they were not, was probably what got him in so much trouble.  But, that did not stop Jesus from doing God's will in bringing the hope of salvation to all who sought God's grace through him.

The message of the Christian Faith and the Gospel is not meant to be the weapon of mass destruction in a prayer by Archbishop Neinstedt or a political attack ad by Gov. Rick Perry.  They do not speak for all Christians, nor do their words and behaviors represent the best of what Christianity is or is to be.

The Christianity that I chose to be part of asks of people being to be Baptized: "Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself ?"   They also ask: "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being ?"  To both questions, the response is: "I will, with God's help."  Not only does the Episcopal Church ask that of those preparing for Baptism, but also those who are already Baptized to recommit ourselves to those vows.

The response of Bishop Brian Prior of the Episcopal Church of Minnesota is as follows:

From its very origins, the Episcopal Church in Minnesota has always stood with the marginalized. Race, ethnicity, gender, gender orientation or immigrant we have embraced both the Gospel mandate of love of neighbor and the Baptismal Covenant imperative to respect the dignity of every human being. Any actions, whether sacred or secular — such as the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit our LGBT brothers and sisters from the rights and privileges that the rest of Minnesotans enjoy - are considered to be marginalizing and contrary to the Gospel, the Baptismal Covenant and our history.

The Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior
IX Bishop, Episcopal Church of Minnesota

The Statement by the Episcopal Church of Minnesota concerning the Minnesota Marriage Amendment vote is as follows:

Resolved, the Episcopal Church in Minnesota opposes the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Minnesota banning same-sex marriage. Furthermore the Church will join other denominations and non-profit organizations in signing the “Resolution against the Constitutional Amendment to Ban Marriage for Same-Sex Couples” as prepared and presented by Minnesotans United for All Families:

‘We oppose the amendment to the Minnesota Constitution banning same-sex marriage. Minnesotans United for All Families may use my organization’s name in opposition to the constitutional amendment banning the legal recognition of same-sex couples.’

I believe that the Sacred Heart of Jesus that was wounded by our sins, is even more grieved when someone who claims to represent Jesus in an authoritative position misuses his place to promote spiritual and pastoral violence towards LGBT people who would like the opportunity to be married in the State of Minnesota.

In our anger and grief, God in Jesus by the Holy Spirit draws ever closer to us to console us.  (See 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7).  God tells us that we have every right and cause to be angry, feel sadness and rejection. and to mourn what we feel.  God comes to help us to tell God how angry and sad we are.  But God comes like a mother in the Holy Spirit to say that God does not reject us because we are LGBT.  God comes as our Savior in Jesus to identify with our experience of rejection, to offer healing and inspire us to be part of sharing the inclusive and loving message the God rejects no one. 

Then we can say with the Psalmist: "I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up and have not let my enemies triumph over me.  O Lord my God, I cried to you, and you restored me to health." (Psalm 30, Book of Common Prayer, page 621).

May we know that God finds the greatest among those who have been rejected.


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.
(Book of Common Prayer, page 212).

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

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP. Page 823).

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Coming Out and Working for Equality is God's Will

Scriptural Basis

Exodus 17: 1-7 (NRSV)

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?" But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." The Lord said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Psalm 25: 3 (BCP. Page 614)

Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach my your paths.

Philippians 2: 1-13 (NRSV)

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death--

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Matthew 21: 23-32 (NRSV)

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, `Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, `I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him."

Blog Reflection

“Is God among us or not?”  This provocative question weaves itself through today’s readings.  In Exodus 17:1-7 we encounter a familiar scene. The Israelites begin to quarrel and complain that Moses has led them on a death march.  They ask: “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” (verse 3).  For his part, Moses appears frustrated at their impatience.  Yet, God miraculously provides water from a rock. (Out in Scripture).

I am sure that Troy Davis and his family asked the question: "Is God among us or not?" As the legal battle, and storms of media controversy and the blatant racism demonstrated by the State of Georgia to be sure they executed a black man whether he was really innocent or not, can feel like God just was not there to help.

Many LGBT people and others without jobs, housing, health care,  a cure for cancer, HIV/AIDS, equal rights, who experience the marginalization of the Church and society feel a lot like the community of Israel wandering through the desert.

For LGBT people the legal repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell feels like a much needed drink of water.  Before we know it, we are back in the desert working for marriage equality, work place rights while the Roman Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan sticks his nose in to stop them.  Or worrying about youth like Jamey Rodemeyer who though he made an It Gets Better Video, took his life because of constant bullying over his sexual orientation. 

The facts of life include that no matter what walk of life we come from, we all have our moments in the desert when we are wandering aimlessly asking where do we find God in it all.  We are all wandering in the deserts of our lives. We face illness, poverty, the uncertainty of our future, discrimination and violence and so on.

As with the story about Moses and the Israelite people, God is there. We may not see or hear God acting in the way we would wish, but that does not mean God is not there with great concern about our needs.  Sometimes God answers our prayers by giving us just what we want. Other times God gives us just what we need even if it is grace to wait until God reveals God's will to us.

The verse I chose from the Psalm today, is a prayer to ask God to help us to know God's ways and paths to true peace and holiness.  God has already created LGBT people just as we are.  If we are LGBT people of faith, then we need to pray and ask God to lead us in God's ways to know what is the path to holiness as we love our partners or engage in relationships.

As Christians we believe that God revealed God's Self in God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ.  Jesus came among us not to exploit equality with God, but to give his life in service of God's people.  Jesus is exalted by God not just because God was in Christ, but because Jesus laid down his life so that others might live in everlasting life with God who is Creator, Servant and Life-Giver.

The life God calls us to live is not one of just saying yes in the prayers and creeds found in the Book of Common Prayer, but through an honest and devoted life of service for equality for those who are marginalized and oppressed.

As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, we hear from Christianists that being gay and living in committed same-sex relationships is somehow saying yes to God, but not doing God's will.  As a gay Episcopalian Christian who struggled many years to come to a place of peace with God about who I am and who I love, I cannot agree with how Christians use today's Gospel to frame the debate about homosexuality and being Christian.

I would dare to say that knowing we are LGBT or even questioning or queer, being called by God to come out and live who we are proudly, and we say no, but later think better of it and do, we are among those who do God's will.  You see, when we settle the question between ourselves and God about who we are as LGBTQ people, after having gone through the dry desert of fear and anxiety while in the closet wondering what we should do, we then come to understand that our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity is a gift of God, not a choice of humankind. 

Among our decision to finally accept God's will to live as LGBT openly and with a sense of pride in who God has created us to be, we cannot be settled with just being by ourselves or just doing all for ourselves.  God challenges us to continue to participate in the work of God's creation by working for a Church and society where all individuals who face violence, prejudice and oppression can find justice, equality and inclusion.

This is why we can not just sit in silence as not just Troy Davis, but many individuals mostly African Americans get the death penalty through the political maneuvering of racist people.

It is not good for us nor the Church and/or society to keep quiet about the constant attack on women and women's reproductive health care, job programs, anti-violence laws and unequal pay. 

We are doing a terrible injustice when we do not speak up about Christianist organizations and politicians targeting Muslims and Jewish people to create atmospheres of violence and prejudice.

When we fail to take into account the suffering of immigrants and Native Americans as a result of white, Christians, we are saying yes to God, but not doing God's will. 

When Tea Party folks and Republicans exploit the poor suggesting they must do more, while giving all the tax breaks and job opportunities to corporate greedy people who just want more and more, Christians need to speak up and act to promote social justice and economic equality.

Doing God's will to achieve equality and justice in a time when there are a lot of Christianists paying good "yes" lip service to God, while acting contrary to what the Bible actually teaches, is like wandering in the desert wondering where God is in it all.   The fact is God's reign is not just some transcendent and detached being surrounded by ancient stories and theological masterpieces.  God is also close to each of us and calls every one of us to become partners in the work of disclosing God's healing and transforming presence.

In so doing, not only do we say yes to God in our worship and prayers, but we also do the work God has asked of us in the vineyard where God's people who are hungry, thirsty, oppressed and hurting are waiting and seeking God's powerful hospitality and reconciliation.  God's answer to their prayers is found in us who seek to do God's will in our lives, loving and doing as God's holy LGBT people.


Prayers

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 21: Book of Common Prayer, page 234).

Lord God,, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem; Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns, for ever and ever. Amen. (A Collect for Sundays, Book of Common Prayer, page 123).


O merciful Father, who taught us in your holy Word that you would not willingly afflict us, look with pity upon the sorrows of (name) for whom our prayers are offered. Remember her/him, O Lord, in mercy, nourish her/his soul with patience, comfort her/him with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon her/him, and give her/him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Someone in Trouble or Bereavment, Book of Common Prayer, page 831).

The Repeal of DADT: A Victory for Cross Carriers

Scriptural Basis

Mark 8:34-38 (NRSV)

Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Blog Reflection

I am writing this blog at the end of the first day that Don't Ask, Don't Tell has been officially repealed. At the stroke of 12:01am today the policy that has resulted in over 14,000 individuals being discharged from America's Military for being LGBT has ended.  Let the Church now say Amen!

As I finally get the chance to write about this, I was met with the reality that today's commemoration is for Martyrs.  More specifically John Coleridge Patteson.  Bishop Patteson and his companions were martyred in Melanasia for attempting to protect the natives of that land from slave traders.  In their passion for justice and seeking good, they gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

Many LGBT service members who faced discharge because of their sexual orientation know what it is to face injustice and be on the losing side.  Don't Ask, Don't Tell gave life to witch hunts in the military to dismiss LGBT women and men from service.  Many of them bravely came out only to be discharged.  Many of them experienced discrimination from defending the freedoms of the country that was now telling them that because of who they are, they can no longer serve.

Their sacrifices and devotion to speaking out led to this day.  The determination of the women and men of our armed forces who are LGBT and wanting to serve openly with dedication to the country they love, set the movement for equality and justice so that one day this day might come.

Doing the work of justice and equality is about carrying the cross.  It is about facing injustice as it is, not as we would like it to be.  The work calls us to forsake a life of comfort, and to confront the reality of the injustice and violence of discrimination so as to create an atmosphere of change through self-giving love.

The Martyrs that we commemorate today, along with many of them faced the injustices and evils only to lose a lot of what they loved, so that they may feed the hungry, clothe the naked, teach those wanting to learn and give life where there was death.  In so doing, they often gave up being popular and/or some level of personal prestige.  The issue was to serve those less fortunate that themselves, even to the point of death, so as to dedicate their lives to the cause of serving others.

The suffering on a personal level by many discharged members of the Military under DADT helped them tell their stories to those who would listen and write them down.  Though the policy led to much oppression for so many dedicated people, the dedication of the LGBT communities along with the women and men in our Military shows that when people come together to call for justice and equality, through sacrifice of time, talent and treasure, we can all do wonderful things.

This day is a victory for the Cross.  It shows that out of death there can be life.  Out of horrible defeat, there can come a victorious success. 

Today means that there is no reason to scape goat anyone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, language, health status, wealth status, ability to work or inability, and make them a target for bigotry and violence.  The Cross and our Baptismal Vows as Episcopalians charges us with the responsibility to "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human person." (BCP. Page 294). This includes LGBT people including those who wish to serve openly in the United States Military. 

God calls on all of us who claim to be Christian to take up our Cross and follow Jesus, by seeking justice for the oppressed and vulnerable.  The Cross calls us to self-less self giving love, to serve those who are different from ourselves.

As Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed today, may we all Christians say "We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world."  Amen.


Prayers,

Almighty God, you called your faithful servant John Coleridge Patteson and his companions to be witnesses and martyrs in the islands of Melanesia, and by their labors and sufferings raised up a people for your own possession: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon your Church in every land, that by the service and sacrifice of many, your holy Name may be glorified and your kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 595).

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those in the Armed Forces of our Country, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

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).