St. John the Apostle and Evangelist: The Saint of God's Revelation, The One Whom Jesus Loved

1 John 1:1-9 (NRSV)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James Kiefer writes about St. John the Apostle and Evangelist:

John, son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve apostles of Our Lord. Together with his brother James and with Simon Peter, he formed a kind of inner circle of Three among the Twelve, in that those three were privileged to behold the miracle of the Great Catch of Fish (Luke 5:10), the healing of Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37 = Luke 8:51), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1 = Mark 9:2 = Luke 9:28), and the Agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37 = Mark 14:33).

He expressed a willingness to undergo martyrdom (Matthew 20:22 = Mark 10:39)—as did the other apostles (Matthew 26:35 = Mark 14:31)—and is accordingly called a martyr in intention.

However, we have ancient testimony that, although imprisoned and exiled for his testimony to the Gospel, he was eventually released and died a natural death in Ephesus: "a martyr in will but not in deed."

John is credited with the authorship of three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John) and one Gospel, although many scholars believe that the final editing of the Gospel was done by others shortly after his death. He is also supposed by many to be the author of the book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse, although this identification is less certain.

Today's meditation in Forward Day by Day offers additional insight into John.

Exodus 33:18-23. I will make all my goodness pass ­before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord.”

The author of Exodus prefaces this speech by explaining “the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Our lectionary sets John’s close relationship with Jesus in the context of Moses’ relationship to God. In the wilderness, when Moses is weary of the weight of leadership, God refreshes him with an intimate vision of God’s very self. Moses, not famous for his unquestioning obedience, needs the reminder of God’s goodness.

John inherits this pattern of relationship with the Lord. John brings all that he is, his whole person, to Jesus, and Jesus receives him. If the other disciples were disturbed by John’s “thunderous” personality, by his questions of Jesus, Jesus himself seems to have known what John needed. Clearly Jesus made his own goodness pass before John.

Like Moses and John, we are meant to bring all that we are to God and to talk face to face. Nothing less will satisfy. (1996)

When I made Oblation as an Oblate of St. Benedict, I chose St. John as my Oblate name.  I chose the name for a few reasons.   Of all the Gospel writers John reflects a depth of knowledge and spirit.  St. John also represents for me the one Apostle who seemed to walk to the beat of a different drummer.   Of all the Epistles in the New Testament, the Apostle wrote more about the topic of love than probably any other author.  John clearly makes the love of God and neighbor a central theme to his understanding of being a follower of Christ.  Some of the best writings and the most difficult are found in St. John's Gospel.  

In my own humble opinion, St. John the Apostle shows through his work as an Evangelist and an Apostle that the love of God for all humankind transcends human labels and classification.  One of the beliefs that is quite central to Christians is that God is both transcendent and imminent.   God is beyond human description and understanding, yet God is closer to us than the smallest cell of our body.  St. John represents to me an individual who's heart was made vulnerable to God in Jesus, and yet he was willing to risk having his heart broken to get closer and closer to God in not only Jesus, but in others who also needed God.  It was John who stood by Mary as Jesus hung dying on the cross.  

As we celebrate this Christmas Season, what is our focus on St. John about?  We read in the Epistle reading that John writes about what he and others have seen and heard, that Jesus came as the Light to deliver us from darkness.  We are encouraged to come to Jesus and receive the forgiveness of our sins through God's perfect revelation of God's Self in Christ.  In today's commemoration we are remembering that Jesus' birth happened so that he could go from his cradle to the cross on which Jesus would redeem all humankind through his suffering and death.  On the cross is the culmination and meaning of all human suffering, when suffering becomes redemption in and through God's human vesture on the cross.  All suffering no matter how little or how great is valuable to God in the sense that God can use suffering to transform ourselves and the world around us.  God is not a sadistic God in the sense that he wants us to suffer pain and anguish. But we know that within our human experience there is much suffering.  At the cross, God demonstrates how God is present in and with all of us who suffer any grief or trouble.   God's love is ever present and communicating with us and with the world through human suffering in ways that we do not understand.

In Jesus, God came to us in the midst of all of our grief, mess and trouble to help us know that we do not walk through the darkness of this world without the Light of Jesus Christ to help guide us through.  When John writes about himself in his Gospel, he refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved."  All of God's children are among the disciples whom Jesus loved.  When John writes of "the disciple whom Jesus loved" John is writing about all of us.  God's compassion and grace is given and shared with all humankind through the Person of Christ who's birth we celebrate.  St. John the Apostle and Evangelist makes this love for humankind from God the center of his life and ministry through his Epistles.  St. John makes it ever more clear that those who claim to follow Jesus must be willing to make some kind of investment in loving our sisters and brothers if our discipleship with Christ is to be authentic.

1 John 4:7-21(NRSV)

God Is Love

7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. ¹⁰In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. ¹⁶So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. ¹⁷Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. ¹⁹We love^* because he first loved us. ²⁰Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters,^* are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister^* whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters^* also. 

It is for the reasons stated in these Bible passages that I repeatedly write about the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) individuals in the Church and in society here in this blog.  The message of Jesus is one of unconditional and all-inclusive love.  The hate that is so often pitted against LGBTQ people on behalf of arch-conservative Christians of all kinds is not as much based on the Bible, as it is on capital gains.  See an excellent article in America Blog Gay here that is such a great example of what I am writing about.  The hateful rhetoric of organizations like the American Family Association continues in the wake of the historic repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  While the focus of LGBTQ people is on equal rights and the opportunity to serve our country openly, the focus of groups like the American Family Association is focused on the issue of homosexuality.   They are insistent on continuing to "bear false witness" (See Exodus 20: 16) about gay sexuality for the express purpose of continuing to criminalize LGBTQ individuals.  Not because it is the right thing to do, but because it earns their organizations money and political power.  Tomorrow we will recall the slaughter of the Holy Innocents.  That is exactly what happens when people are so concerned about political power before justice, inclusion and equality.  That is the kind of thing God came to us in Christ to call us to repentance and redemption from.  It is that kind of thing that concerned progressive Christians have every business speaking and writing about stopping.  That is why we celebrate the mysteries of God coming to us in Christ.  Because in Christ those dominant, conquering forces are overthrown not by violence and more prejudice.  But, by love, acceptance and inclusion.   This is why I think St. John the Evangelist is so important.

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, Book of Common Prayer, page 238).

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).

 

Are We Open To God Doing New Things? Isn't that What Advent and Christmas Are About?

Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV)
 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be." The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

The Advent and Christmas message calls Christians to open our hearts and minds to God doing new things in our world and in our lives.  God gives us those traditions that Jarislov Pelikan says are the "living faith of the dead."  God opens our hearts and eyes to the new things of God by always doing new things.  When new flowers bloom in the spring we do not remember the old flowers that withered and died.  We concentrate on the new beauty of that which is before our eyes.

Today three days before we celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ we hear this time honored narrative of the announcement of Jesus' conception and birth in the womb of Mary.  We see God, the Holy Spirit, the Mother and Life-Giver working in the life, spirit and body of Mary to bring forth the salvation of all humankind.  God transcended all human traditionalism, even those things which God had done previously and brought for something new and wonderful.  In the words of Rev. J.Edwin Bacon, Rector of All Saint's Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California: "I am sure glad Mary didn't wait for the doctrine of the Incarnation to be decided to say yes at the Annunciation."

As Christians we are told to wait on the Lord. Yes, that is true.  Yet, so often when God the Holy Spirit arrives to lead us to do something new, we are still in the "wait and see" mode.  As if we expect to just sit and wait while God does all the work.  One of the most important pieces of Benedictine Spirituality is "Ora et Labora" (tr. pray and work).  When we pray we are doing the work of God, when we work our works find their greatest fulfillment because our work takes place in a constant and continual prayer with God.  Jesus did say in John 15:5: "I am the vine you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit. because apart from me you can do nothing."   Jesus did not say: "Once I arrive, you are free to do nothing. while I do it all."  The Holy Spirit empowered Mary to receive God's promise to do what humanly was impossible.  God came to Mary and gave her the opportunity to serve God and all humankind by being the vehicle and bearer of God the Incarnate Word.  She did not wait around to discern some doctrinal mystery or wait for a Parish Vestry to approve her mission.  She knew that if she trusted God and the work of the Holy Spirit who was going to do this wonderful new thing, all the things that she feared most would somehow be worked out. Thus Mary not only became the first Disciple of Jesus, but also the first female Priest.  She accomplished so much by trusting in God. What about us?

God is doing new and wonderful things in our time.  This morning President Obama signed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell into law.  The ban that required lesbian and gay military service members to lie about who they are to serve their country is over.  Though they still cannot come out totally because the ban has to be implemented, the days by which they will have to remain closeted are numbered.  And what has the response of radical right Christians been to this wonderful new thing that God is doing among us?  The Family Research Council is planning to sue to keep the repeal from happening in the Military.  The same Family Research Council is teaming up the DADT Repeal opponent Sen. John McCain to do all they can to stop the implementation of the repeal process in the US. Military.  Last night Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attempted a last minute ditch attempt to block the repeal in the Defense Authorization Bill that he would not support if the repeal of DADT was included.  A right wing extremist news reporter attempted to trip up Rep. Barney Frank over gay men showering with straight men in the US. Military.  While LGBT people celebrate today's monumental victory over being able to serve their country openly, right wing extremists are still stuck on the issue of homosexuality. 

In other news yesterday the United Nations voted restore the resolution to condemn the execution of gay and lesbian people. One of the organizations that had a big hand in raising the importance of such a decision was Soul Force.    The work of Uganda to pass a bill that would sentence lesbian and gay people to life in prison or even death is one that needs condemnation from all who call themselves Christians and/or people of good will towards all.

Back here in these United States we have a horrible act of selfishness and greed taking place as Republican Senators work to block the health care bill for 9/11 first responders. No wonder Jesus wept as he looks over our City, State and Country.  Not only are we in a time when arch-conservative Christians condone discrimination towards any group of people, but we cannot even give health care to those women and men who put their lives on the line on September 11, 2001 and are now sick and dying.

When the Archangel Gabriel came and announced that Mary would bear Jesus, God began ushering in a new world order.   One in which the dead would live again, God would "deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no one to help.  God shall have pity on the lowly and poor; God shall preserve the lives of the needy.  God shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in God's sight." (Psalm 72, BCP 686).  Yet what are we seeing from Christians?  Those who would rather leave the poor outside in the cold.  Those oppressed by unjust laws and inapplicable interpretations of the Bible should be further oppressed with violence and hate rhetoric.  Yet those who are poor and oppressed are precious in the eyes and heart of God.  That was the new and exciting message that Jesus would bring by his Incarnation, life, death and resurrection.  But, even the Church has yet to allow that message of salvation and justice for all people to become the heart and soul of the work of Christians.  And we wonder why Jesus weeps as he enters the world?

The Advent and Christmas events are about being open to God doing new things among us.  God shows us new things in God's perfect revelation of God's Self.  God will challenge our comfort zones and call us to redemption in God's Son Jesus Christ, and our Mother the Holy Spirit will tear open the boxes we put God, others and ourselves in.  If we want God to be born anew in us this coming Christmas Season, then perhaps we need to bring our restless hearts to that Christ Child born through Mary's yes to God, and ask that our hearts be broken with Jesus' as he weeps for the world of violence and oppression he and us still live in.  Yet Jesus comes not just to weep, but to inspire radical social and personal change.  Are we open to what Jesus and the Holy Spirit want to do in and through our lives this Christmas Season?

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. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 212).

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 Our Armed Services, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

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, page 826).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Book of Common Prayer, page 833).  

The Bible: Not The Only Source of Revelation

John 5:30-47 (NRSV)

'I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 'If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. 'You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?'

I really appreciate the words from Forward Day by Day for today's meditation.

Many Christians read the Bible the wrong way. We read not so much to find God as to find support for our notions about God. Rather than learn a solid theology from the Bible, we use the Bible to defend a theology we have already devised.

And sometimes we commit an even more grievous error. We see the revelation of God as something God wrote in a book rather than as something God did in history. We make a big mistake when we view the Bible as God’s revelation: it is the record of God’s revelation.

Jesus said that the scriptures “testify in my behalf.” Let us join the psalmist and sing, “And in the temple of the Lord all are crying, ‘Glory!’ ” (Psalm 29). (1994)

Is the revelation in the book or in the events which the book records? Plainly it could not be in the book unless it is first in the events. And this is the witness of the book itself; for the prophets, who claimed that the word of the Lord came to them, were largely occupied in reading the lessons of history to the people whose history it was. Living by faith in the personal and living God, they saw his hand in all  that affected the people with whom they were concerned. —William Temple.

I am thinking quite a bit about this kind of thing as I continue to read and hear many of the insulting remarks from right wing extremists after the Senate vote to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell this past Saturday.  Comments such as those of  Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association who said that "The Military is forever feminized."  His remarks not only continue the cruel spiritual and socially violent rhetoric towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer individuals, but also women.   They continue to suggest that the feminine is somehow lesser, weaker and less worthy or equal rights and justice.  That it is okay to continue laws that are unequal towards women and LGBT people.  Because there is always the men and the heterosexuals who must continue to benefit at the expense of women and LGBTQ people.  Such comments continue because of a belief in the Bible as the "Infallible Word of God."   As Bishop Gene Robinson so correctly states in his book In the Eye of the Storm, to place the words of Scripture above the Incarnate Word of God that is Jesus the Christ is "an act of idolatry." (See page 22).

The Christmas event that we are about to remember this coming Saturday was an actual event that took place.  What was written in the Bible was written there because God came to all humankind as one like us in God's perfect revelation in Jesus the Christ.  The desert blooms and the dry rivers have water not because of what is written down some where, but because God has done something so incredibly wonderful that all the wonder of the world cannot contain the joy at what God did.  When Jesus came to us on that Christmas Night darkness was turned into light and sadness gave way to joy.  What was written down was what others witnessed, and yet even for right wing extremists determined to keep certain types of people or groups of people weak and oppressed, while others benefit the event might as well not even happened.  It is easier to use the Name of Jesus Christ to justify scapegoating and prejudice.  I seem to remember King Herod doing the same thing when he slaughtered the Holy Innocents because of his fear that someone weaker than him, just might take his place and power away from him.

The Jesus event that we are preparing for this Advent is one in which there is no scapegoating and there is no excuse for prejudice or violence.  God has become one like us in the midst of all our uncertainties and all of our messiness to tell us that God is here with us no matter who we are or what we are facing.  The Baby Jesus came into the world and no sooner did he arrive did people in high places of power want to remove him as soon as possible.  Jesus came to love people differently and to demonstrate that no person on God's green earth is unloved nor undervalued by God.   We know all of this not just because of what is written in the Bible.  We know this to be true because of how God has continued to converse and intervene in human history and Church tradition.  Even when the Church and society still misses the mark on our obligation to recognize the goodness of God's creative and redemptive love in all persons, God still interacts with us by the power of the Holy Spirit to work to change and redirect our stubborn and fragile human hearts.  

As we look to God's grace and mercy during the remainder of this Advent Season leading into Christmas may we be open to what God in Jesus by the Holy Spirit wishes to do in and through our lives.  May we take some time to sit in the quietness of our hearts and minds to welcome the Christ Child and to make room for God's Holy Spirit to convert our hearts and make the world a less violent place for all who suffer from oppression, injustice, disease and death.  

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. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 212).

O God, the creator and preserver of all humankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of humankind; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.  (Prayer for All Sorts and Conditions, Book of Common Prayer, page 814).

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Emmanuel: God With Us Turns Traditionalism On Its Head

Jaroslav Pelikan in The Vindication of Tradition: 1983 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities said: "Tradition is the living faith of the dead.  Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living."  Many of the things and attitudes we have often adopted as part of our faith and way of life are often said to come from tradition, when in fact they are the result of traditionalism.   Because my blog is based on the Scriptures and the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people, I am going to present the idea here that the virgin birth of Christ which we will celebrate on December 25 and our belief that Jesus was God's perfect revelation of God's Self was an act in which God turned traditionalism on it's head.   That traditionalism extends to an understanding from the Bible that men are strong and dominant, and women are somehow weak and subordinate.  When God broke into human history through the power of the Holy Spirit to conceive the human body of Christ in Mary all labels and attitudes of the weaker vs the stronger were overturned, never to be the same.


Out in Scripture reminds us of something very important to go with the Gospel reading for this weekend of Matthew 1: 18-25.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,"

which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

 In spite of the disturbing shifts away from liberation in these texts, we also discovered there is at least one liberating gift for LGBT people in Matthew 1:20b and its portrayal of Mary becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  We hear the passage speak of a female same-gender loving partnership, since in Hebrew the word ruah, Spirit, is a feminine form.  The Greek version of Spirit, pneuma, is neuter in form, which furthers the claim of both Hebrew and Greek traditions that males were not involved at all in Jesus’ conception.  This radical reading shakes up any traditional take on love-making between God and Mary.  God is about something altogether new in creating Emmanuel, God with us.

The Virgin Birth Narrative might also be understood as obliterating the shame of those who have children and create families outside the traditional model.  In this story, God enters the world as the child Jesus, born of a woman who is not married to the father.  In this way God could be saying, “If you want to label such people negatively, you’ll have to use that label on Jesus.”  One problem with this rendering, however, is that readers often get stuck with the sexualized images and miss or avoid the transgressive good news of such a reading.

The Virgin Birth Narratives have been used by traditionalists to establish so called traditions to explain and legislate what the ideal sexual, familial and romantic relationship should or should not be.  Not to mention what the so called proper role of the male and female gender should be.  God broke into human history to turn the dominant and submission understanding that had been perverted by sin and discrimination to bring about liberation and equality.   What traditionalists have done in an effort to save face is worked to return the sin and discrimination back in place.  This is why laws preventing same-sex couples from marriage equality, as well as abstinence only education are so unjust and out of place.  They are based on presumptions that are neither true nor substantiated.  

It is no mistake that this weekends readings are what they are after yesterday's Senate vote to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell passed with a vote of 65-33.  The 14 year Military Ban that requires women and men to serve and die in defense of our country by lying about who they are or be subject to discharge is finally dead.  A law based on the dead faith of living people has been legislatively destroyed.  Thanks be to God.  Yet, even as we rejoice there are already Christianist anti-gay hate groups vowing to force Congress to reverse the repeal of DADT. Traditionalists are planning to return the sin of discrimination that Jesus came to liberate us from, back claiming that it comes from their "Biblical traditions."

When God comes to us, God is known for turning our plans upside down and inside out.  One of the oldest quotes is: "If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans."  God's use of Mary and Joseph to change the face and direction of human history, by also challenging many religious and social "traditions" is exactly what God the Holy Spirit does.  We cannot be left alone in our Pandoras Boxes of what we think about God, others or even ourselves.  If we are to experience growth in our personal, spiritual and social lives then we must be open to moving from where we are to beyond our wildest imaginations.  The biggest message of Advent and Christmas is no matter how difficult and challenging changes in our lives are, God is with us through it all.  Whether we are ready for God to move and change us and others around us or not, God is there with us and helps us face and endure whatever circumstances that come our way.  We are never alone.   God the Holy Spirit, like a good Mother leads us to Jesus by helping us to understand God's will as opposed to our own.  Even though Jesus came to ultimately go to the cross to die for the sins of the world, he still faced everything with God the Mother Spirit helping him to trust in God for every moment and each step of his journey.  So God the Advocate and Comforter is always with us.

Those of us who are challenging the status quo in terms of sexual and gender diversity are facing enormous political, social and religious obstacles.  We are facing the work of traditionalists determined to make things that are not part of the Christian faith to determine the laws of our country and our churches for each and every person.  We are facing those who tell us that our work for equal rights and full inclusion cannot be done because the Biblical laws rebuke being LGBT or acting on our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.  Unlike Christianists, we are taking the opportunity to become more educated and aware of the misinterpretations that are created by intolerance, prejudice and apathy.  It is the same attitudes that are used by the Governor of Arizona to keep terminally ill patients from receiving organ transplants or enacting their horrible anti-immigration law.   The same behaviors are shown as our country continues to show complete disregard for the poor, lonely, discouraged, mentally/physically and psychologically challenged.  The God who came into human history through Mary came to bring all who are forgotten and marginalized into the company and wonder of God's unconditional and all inclusive love.  

No more was there to be the dominance of one person or group of people over another.  That is the tradition that was suppose to be brought about by the Advent and Christmas message.  It is that message that the Church has yet to fully acquire and proclaim.  It is the prayer that Jesus prays for each one of us as he intercedes for us at the right hand of God.  If such a prayer were answered violence would not even be considered.  Discrimination would be permanently outlawed and understood to be unacceptable.  The need for the Christianist capitalistic enterprise designed to destroy any and all individuals and institutions that do not think like they do, would be defunded and put out of business.  And there would indeed be peace on earth and good will toward all.

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. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 212). 

Eternal Spirit, Lover of our souls and bodies,
        We thank you and praise you for your enduring love.
    May we cherish our own embodiment
        as we do yours – that fleshly-wrap housing the Spirit
        of infinitesimal power and grace.
    May we continue to honor the Temple within,
        and gratefully treat our body
        that reflects your very presence.
    In the name of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. Amen.  (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).

St. Clement of Rome: May We Always Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Luke 6:37-45 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, `Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks."

This Gospel contains some words that even those who may not read the Bible regularly know about.  "Judge not, lest you be judged."  Whenever a Church official fails to live up to someone's expectations it is not uncommon to hear: "The blind leading the blind."  

I think if all of us are honest with God, others and ourselves we would have to admit that we all judge and that we have visual challenges that make it difficult for us to see things clear and others that are not so clear.  Even someone who tells someone else not to judge is making a rash judgment just in the remark itself.  The old phrase that when we point one finger outward, we have three more pointing right back at ourselves.  


We have all heard the words: "Actions speak louder than words."  There is much truth to that.  However, I am of the opinion that there are actions already in progress with the words we speak.  This is most notable in politics.  As we are winding down the wire to what will hopefully be the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell we see Senator John McCain working to exploit the Military's Study for his own benefit, or even dismiss the entire thing.  Republicans telling the American Public that extending the Bush Tax Cuts on the wealthiest Americans will somehow benefit middle class Americans who have been out of work even while the Bush Tax Cuts have been in existence.   Arizona claims their immigration law is to protect America's borders when really it is to help the privatized prison system and Arizona's Governor to cash in on a huge monetary profit at the expense of helpless individuals who have nothing but violence to return home to and even more racial violence to face here in America.  

In the Anglican Communion we are debating the Anglican Covenant which seems to be more about shutting down the discussion of ordaining women and ordaining LGBT persons as Bishops and/or allowing us to create Liturgies to bless and celebrate same-sex relationships.  While trying to show what appears to be a wolf in sheeps clothing, it is women and LGBT people who could once again be considered expendable while men and heterosexuals benefit. It is easy to talk about who or what to judge when you are someone benefiting at someone else's expense.   It is easy to talk about the blind leading the blind, when it is those blinded by discrimination who get to make decisions about those with whom they discriminate.  


This Gospel is not totally sold to all of the negatives that we can derive.  Jesus is telling us that we all have the potential for the greater good of all of God's people.  Jesus talks about the relation of fruit from the tree.   The tree that Christians are most associated is the tree of the cross.  At the cross where Jesus died for all of us, there is no excuse for scapegoating people.  At the cross, prejudice and violence find their match as God shows God's mysterious and unconditional love for all of humankind.  This world with it's evil of judgments based on race, skin color, cultural background, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, religion/spirituality, gender and so on is met and called to account for all its cruelties by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In the Paschal Mystery (the death, resurrection, ascension and Pentecost) God has sought out the lost, broken, wounded, marginalized and discriminated and named all of God's people as God's beloved with whom God is well-pleased.   When Christ established the Church through the Holy Spirit, it was called to be the message of God's salvation for all the world out of God's extravagant love.  Not God's most fearful condemnation.   A good reading of Romans 8 will explain what I mean here.

Today the Episcopal Church commemorates the third Bishop of Rome, Clement.   Clement was a disciple of the Apostles who carried on their work.  Through the work of Clement the work that was begun by the Apostles began to bear fruit as the celebration of the Sacraments along with the ordination of Bishops and Deacons was begun.  Unfortunately the first and second letters to Corinth that Clement wrote were lost and did not reappear until 1628 long after the Canon of Scriptures was established.


Quoting from Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints on page 698 Clement wrote: 

"The apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus the Christ was sent from God.  Thus Christ is from God and the apostles from Christ.  In both instances, the orderly procedure depends on God's will.  So thereafter, when the apostles had been given their instructions, and all their doubts had been set at rest by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, they went forth in the confidence of the Holy Spirit to preach the good news of the coming of God's kingdom.  They preached in country and city, and appointed their first converts, after testing them by the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers."

As Episcopalians we understand from pages 855-856 of the Book of Common Prayer in the Outline of the Faith, that Laity, Bishops, Priests and Deacons all represent Christ and the Church.  How we represent Christ and the Church differs by what order of ministry we are in. But, we are all an order of ministry nonetheless.  By virtue of our Baptism and the vows we made and reaffirm every Easter and moment at which Baptisms are celebrated, we state the importance of our work as representing Christ and the Church.   Among the many vows of our Baptism is to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human person." (BCP. Page 305).


If the Church today is to continue the ministry of those first Apostles, then we need to meditate perhaps on how serious we are about that.   Just as the Apostles were individuals who sometimes missed the mark, so do we.  That is why we continue to pray as we did yesterday that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth, including those things about others who are different from ourselves and how we might reach out to them with that same Spirit of love and compassion.  May we continue to pray and be open to the Holy Spirit without ceasing.

Almighty God, you chose your servant Clement of Rome to recall the Church in Corinth to obedience and stability; Grant that your Church may be grounded and settled in your truth by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; reveal to it what is not yet known; fill up what is lacking; confirm what has already been revealed; and keep it blameless in your service; 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 699).


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 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).

St. Martin of Tours, Veteran's Day and DADT

Matthew 25:34-40 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' "

St. Martin of Tours is one of the great Saints of our Church because of his incredible experience of seeing Christ in someone cold, hungry and naked.  While riding his horse one day Martin came across a poor, naked man.  Martin took his sword and cut his cloak in half and put one half around the man.  Later that night Martin had a vision of Jesus wearing the other half of his cloak.  St. Martin of Tours personified the Gospel of Jesus by recognizing him in someone in need.

As Christians we are called to recognize the presence of God in all people.  This includes those of us who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer.   Individuals of sexual and gender diversity are among members of Christ's family.  When LGBTQ people are welcomed by churches, they are welcoming Jesus.  When we recognize our prejudices for what they are and make room for others different than ourselves, we are making room for Jesus.  When we exclude people, we are telling Jesus that there is no room for him in the inn.

Likewise for LGBTQ folks St. Martin of Tours is a reminder for us to be welcoming of others as well.   Our communities cannot effectively achieve equality and inclusion if we are not concerned about the equality and inclusion of others.  Racism, religious bias, the lack of acceptance of transgender members of our communities, as well as stereotypical statements made about bisexual people are all misplaced in communities such as ours.   I have heard many gay men make the comment that they do not believe there is any such thing as a bisexual person.  There are many bisexual women and men who find themselves torn asunder by attractions to both sexes and how they are going to live that out in a healthy way.  Transgender folks are often treated as the tail end of our communities as if they do not have any business being one of the letters that describes the diversity within the LGBTQ family.  Those of us who are LGBTQ and part of Christian churches receive a great deal of hateful comments for belonging to welcoming communities.  As are Catholics who are willing to stay in the church and continue to work for reform even as the odds are stacked against them.

We need to pray for hearts and minds that are open to seeing Jesus in everyone on his terms not ours.  God who has created everyone just as they are, are who they are because of God's gracious and extravagant love.  God is searching for us in all of the various people that come into contact with us.  We need to be searching for God in all of the people we meet.   We would do well to pray for how we might serve God in our sisters and brothers as they come to us, not as we would like them to be.  We should pray for the grace and strength to face our preconceived notions and stereotypes that keep us from embracing Jesus in every daughter or son of God that we meet.

Today in America we celebrate the brave women and men who defend the freedoms that we all enjoy.  We are forever in debt to those who chose to take up the call of service.  Those who sacrificed the comforts and privileges that we take for granted to stand in our place and defend us without counting the cost.   As a nation of so many brave women and men, it is outrageous that our vets are not taken care of better than they are.  Our Congress and other Government leaders have not done nearly enough to be sure that America says thank you to our vets, by taking good care of them.  This needs to change.

At the same time we have to recognize and call to mind those women and men who desired and still desire to serve our military but cannot do so openly because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.  Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a horrible chapter in America's history.  The number of women and men who have been discharged because of DADT are becoming too many to count.  In a nation that claims to be a country of freedom and justice for all, DADT is hypocrisy in the strongest terms.  DADT is a huge waste of tax payer dollars and an abuse of military power.   The countless LGBT American's who have been discharged for being willing to place their lives on the lines, but denied the right to do so is inconsistent with American and Christian values.  When our Democratic House and Senate return for the lame duck session of Congress, DADT should be repealed without delay.   I would like to challenge all of my readers today, tomorrow or next week to pick up a phone, or write an email, sign a petition and encourage our Senate to repeal DADT.   On this Veteran's Day, we should be honoring all of our vets, not kicking some out because they are LGBT.  

As we meditate upon a great man like St. Martin of Tours and honor our vets, let us remember to honor Jesus Christ in one another.  For all of us are members of the family of Jesus.

Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Martin of Tours, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 675).


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).

Are We Open To God Doing New Things?

Luke 13:18-30 (NRSV)

Jesus said therefore, 'What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.' And again he said, 'To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.' 

Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, 'Lord, will only a few be saved?' He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, "Lord, open to us," then in reply he will say to you, "I do not know where you come from." Then you will begin to say, "We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets." But he will say, "I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!" There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.' 

Forward Day by Day has a great meditation on this reading.

Luke 13:18-30. Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

Jesus knew and said that living faithfully would not be easy. We who are young or middle-aged are going to know this in ways our elders have never known. Christianity has been an accepted religion in the past. This will not be so in the years to come. Why?

First, we are entering a highly scientific age in which there will be great and rapid change. The church has usually been slow to change—in fact, it actively  resists change. But now we must get on with it.

Second, the church is beginning to engage the world in ways which past generations have neither known nor approved. At times we seem to be living in days much like our Lord’s—the end of an age was approaching and a new era was being born. Out of the old religion of the Jews there came a small band, misunderstood, resented, and persecuted. But they lived a new and intimate life with God. The door to this life was narrow, but through it God brought forth a  new thing for his people. It appears God may now be doing this again. (1967)

I really need this meditation today with the results of the 2010 elections.  We in Minnesota are facing a terrible possibility if the recount process does not produce Mark Dayton as the next Governor of Minnesota.  If the recount process is not finished as of January, our present Gov. Tim Pawlenty along with a new Republican Majority in the Minnesota House and Senate will take the State further and further down the darkest path in terms of health and human services, as well as LGBT equality.  As a progressive LGBT Episcopalian, the idea of a Government both locally and Nationally that wants to take away the health care reform that we worked so hard to get what little we got, along with stopping the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is depressing.   Citizens United has wielded some of it's worst results that have literally robbed America of our free speech as well as our hopes of helping those who are usually left out of most legislative agenda's.   

The Tea Party had a message of "The Government is not God."  No, the Government is not God, but God can use the Government to do good and just things for all of it's people.  Helping those on the margins of society, who are second class citizens and helping people stay healthy, employed and safe is one of the purposes of Government.  God blesses and makes use of Governments that put people before profits, human rights before politics and the advancement of a good economy.   No Republican controlled group is even interested in any of the above.  That is why the results of this years election has such dire consequences.

What has happened is definitely a rebuking of progress.  Conservative religion has a way of self righteously proclaiming that they worship God.  Yet, as a result of their actions they wind up closing up the box on what God is wanting to do, and as a result misinformation and ignorance becomes the way of thinking, educating and believing.

What the more progressive Christian churches have been about doing is opening those doors so that people who were once on the margins of society and the Church can find a purpose and place.   We are stretching age old theologies and giving them a new meaning and understanding so that people in the 21st Century can in fact take hold of the love of Jesus Christ known throughout Church history and claim it for their own.  When the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America opened the way for openly LGBT Bishops and Clergy, as well as preparing Liturgies to bless same-sex relationships as marriages in those States that have legalized marriage equality, people of sexual and gender diversity found a place and ministry for them.   As Sacramental Rites are made possible for all Baptized Christians, the Church fulfills even greater the missionary work given by Christ.   The Holy Spirit's movement is much better realized as Christians become more inclusive.  

As we face new challenges as those who are challenged by diversity rebel, it is important that those of us who believe in the God of unconditional and all-inclusive love not give up nor give in to what has happened.   We have before us an opportunity to organize, pray, sing, and continue to educate others by telling our stories.  The road will be hard and long and there will be those who just will not be able to walk through that door of change with us.  That should not keep us from inviting others from considering not walking through that door with us, to show that change of heart, mind and culture is possible.  When we share the truth in love, we will win some and loose some.  Yet, it is still the right thing to do.

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 26, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

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, page 821).

Read and Think Carefully.

Luke 12:32-48 (NRSV)

'Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 'Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 'But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.'

Peter said, 'Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?' And the Lord said, 'Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, "My master is delayed in coming," and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one whodid not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. 

This here is one of those heavy duty Gospels.  It contains a lot of thoughts about the reign of God at the end of time.  As the Church year begins to close in preparation for a new year on November 28th, so the readings in both the Daily Office and the Eucharist talk more and more about the end of the age.  These Gospels are often misused to scare people into Biblical literalism.   The Book of Revelation which is not a blue print for the future, becomes a Weapon of Mass Destruction.   

This Gospel challenges us to be about the work of the Gospel.  Which means calling people to repentance.  Changing hearts and minds to think more like that of Jesus Christ "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, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross.  Therefore God 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." (Philippians 2: 6-11).   


What we see many Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics doing is rather than try to be more like Jesus who served all people, we see leaders of the Church trying to be more like God.  Not just being like God, but give people a vision of God that is not anything like who God was in Christ.   God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ was one who encouraged his followers to be about the work of spreading the reign of God on earth, rather than destroying people's faith in God through movements like the Tea Party. Movements that endorse the idea of leaving a noose near the door of Equality California. Or Southern Baptists, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox Church in America, The Presbyterian Church in America, and the Rabbinical Alliance of America sending a statement to President Barack Obama that if they repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell "could force their chaplains to choose between serving God or serving the military."  And then there is our own Archbishop of Canterbury trying to push the Anglican Covenant which is designed to introduce the idea of punishing provinces of the Anglican Communion who do not agree or operate according to the wishes of others.   Rather than looking for ways to push people out of the Church we ought to be looking at every way in which we can really promote the Gospel and invite people to believe in God and find peace within the loving mercy of Jesus.

When Jesus tells his followers to be about the business of working, he doesn't mean chasing out the very people who need God the most.  Jesus is telling us to be about the work of God's mercy and inclusive love.  We have been entrusted with the good news of God's unconditional love, so as to encourage others to follow Jesus Christ so that God's salvation can be shared with those who are lost, marginalized, stereotyped and separated.  When we use the Gospel to further marginalize, stereotype, and divide we are promoting a different Gospel than the one Jesus Christ told us to live.   Jesus Christ warned those who sat on their rules too much and thought they were holy just because they could recite the laws and prayers.  Jesus' stern warnings to be found working extends to those of us who love our Liturgical worship all too much, but fail to understand that we have a sense of mission by which we are to share the Gospel with others through our living more than preaching.   When the Church tries to suggest that the Gospel is for everyone except lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people unless they change who they are, they are turning the Gospel of salvation into a message of destruction and torture.   A careful look at this Gospel reading and we will see that Jesus wants his followers to be about a Gospel of inclusion, mercy and the building of community, not the tearing apart of.  

If only Christians would become excited and enthusiastic about helping people to find their way to the Church because it is a place where they are loved, accepted and affirmed.  A place and a people who promote holy living because of what we share in common in spite of our diversity, instead of trying to destroy diversity.  A Church where our sexual and gender diversity really helps us all to discover new things about ourselves and each other so that we can grow in to a community of love and mission.  I think that is what this Gospel is calling us to today.  May Jesus find us at work building up inclusive communities where everyone is welcomed, affirmed, accepted and celebrated.

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 25, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, page 100).

 

God's Relationship With Us Is Reflected In Our Relationships With Each Other

John 14:3-7 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.

As I was reading through Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints in preparation for today's blog post, I was aware that today is a day that I need to be especially careful.  The Christian Faith which is rich in tradition, symbolism and truth has also been a source of destruction and falsehood for many throughout the centuries.  While Christianity remains the source of my strength and inspiration as a gay man, there are others for whom it is a source of intense pain and rejection.  I hope through my writing I convey a sense of understanding and empathy. I have to be true to who God is in my own life and I love to share that with those who read what I write.  But I also hope that for others who read my blogs may find within these words that God is in love with all of us and desires a relationship with us regardless of who we are or where we are.  Whether you are someone who agrees with what I write or not, know that God loves you very deeply and that whether you wish to draw close to God or not you are welcome here.    Whether you believe in the God that Christians worship or not,  you are welcome here. 

The Episcopal Church commemorates Remigius a saint of the early Church and one of the patron saints of France.  He was born about 438 and the son of the Count of Laon.  Remigius became Bishop of Rheims at the age of 22.  He converted and baptized King Clovis of the Franks on Christmas Day, 496.  This changed for ever the religious history of Europe causing them to become Catholic instead of Arian, which meant that they embraced the idea that Jesus was both human and divine.  In addition to King Clovis there were also an additional 3,000 converts to Catholic Christianity. (Much of the information here is taken from Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 616).

The Episcopal and Anglican churches make no bones about the understanding that our doctrine and history has its roots in Catholicism.  The word Catholic also means "Universal" and does not only mean Roman Catholic.  Episcopalians and Anglicans embrace the truths of our Catholic Christian heritage, but we also understand that that which is Catholic and Christian is never idle. Our understanding of what God is calling us to is always expanding and growing.  Through Scripture, Tradition and Reason we continue to seek where God is leading us from where we have been to help us toward where we are going.  We can acknowledge what Christians have done well, learn from what we have done wrong and move forward with a renewed mind and heart with new ways of believing and expressing what always has been, and is yet still becoming.

One of those pieces of what makes Orthodox Christians who we are is our belief in God as One, yet revealed in three separate distinctive Persons.  God the Creator/Maker/Mother/Father, Redeemer/Servant/Son and Sancitfier/Life-Giver/Comforter/Holy Spirit.  Through the past twenty years we have begun to understand that God is beyond gender description, as well as our age old understandings in Scripture.  Most importantly, Christians have been exploring our realization that whoever God is, whether God is known by female or male gender names, God seeks a relationship with every person.  Our race, national origin, sexual and gender diversity, gender, religion, employment situation, economic condition, language etc are not obstacles to God reaching out to us and embracing us as God's holy people.  Even in our darkest places (see Psalm 139:10-11) when we are facing the worst of discrimination and economic hardship God's power and grace are able to impact who we are and where we are to bring about God's glory and our benefit.

God's relationship to all of us (see Psalm 103) is reflected in our relationships with each other.  In our Gospel reading Jesus answers that he is the way, truth and life, the path that Christians are called to take to find God.  Jesus tells us that if we know him, we shall know God.  How are we knowing Jesus in God as we hear the tragic stories of the several LGBTQ youth suicides that have been reported over the last few days, weeks and months?  How is Jesus leading us to God as we continue to work for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, to pass marriage equality laws and pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act?  How are the Church and the LGBTQ community called to reflect a relationship with God and each other in the midst of the difficulties within the Anglican Communion, or between people of Faith and issues of sexual and gender diversity?

If Remigius called  the conservative folks of his time to recognize idolatry, can we challenge conservative Christians in our own time to see Biblical literalism or prejudice as a form of idolatry?  When we make political ambushing our work of choice rather than spreading the Gospel of love and inclusion we pollute God's name or even risk taking it in vain.  The Holy Spirit continues to challenge us in the twenty first Century as she did in the early Church that we may understand that the message of the Gospel is not limited to where we are or who we are, but includes where we are and who we are.   As we acknowledge our sins and trust in God's mercy and forgiveness, the graces of God fill our hearts and lives and empowers us to reach out to others.  These are just a few ways in which God's relationship with all of us is reflected in our relationships with each other.

As people of sexual and gender diversity who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as the way, truth and life to God, we trust in God in our loving relationships as well as our work for full inclusion in the Body of Christ and society.  Every time we love our partners through our physical bodies, and share with them what is in our hearts and see each other through the good and bad times, we reflect God's relationship to us with each other.  The affectionate love shared between lesbian and gay people is as much a reflection of the love of Christ and the Church as it is for heterosexual people.  Christ loves the Church though the Church is far from perfect. Through love Christ is bringing the Church ever closer to him.  So as people of the same sex share their love for each other, they are bringing each other one step closer to union with God who loves us all.  That is the relationship that Remigius converted the King to.  That is the relationship God the Holy Trinity calls us to be converted to, today and every day for the good of the Church, the world and ourselves.

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).

O God, by the teaching of your faithful servant and bishop Remigius you turned the nation of the Franks from vain idolatry to the worship of you, the true and living God, in the fullness of the catholic faith: Grant that we who glory in the name of Christian may show forth our faith in worthy deeds; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Remigius, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 617)

Holy Trinity,
divine and blessed relationship,
bless the ecstasy of these lovers
as their faces kiss,
as their bodies touch,
as in their lovemaking
they overcome the fear and the hatred
and the garbage heaped upon them
by the church and the culture.

Bless their adoration of each other
as they worship the holy imprint
of your divine beauty
and enjoy the communion
of a loving convenant.
May such sacrament
bring them ever closer to you,
Lover of us all.  Amen.
(Coming Out to God, Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men, Their Families and Friends, Chris Glaser, page 85).