Fifth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 8: The Church Amidst Dying and Rising

Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24 (NRSV)

God did not make death,

And he does not delight in the death of the living.

For he created all things so that they might exist;

the generative forces of the world are wholesome,

and there is no destructive poison in them,

and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.

For righteousness is immortal.

 

God created us for incorruption,

and made us in the image of his own eternity,

but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,

and those who belong to his company experience it.

Psalm 30 (BCP., p.621)


2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NRSV)

As you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something-- now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has-- not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,

"The one who had much did not have too much,

and the one who had little did not have too little."

Mark 5:21-43 (NRSV)

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." He went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, `Who touched me?'" He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Blog Reflection

I am so overjoyed to be writing this blog reflection today.  I never thought I would see the day when the freedom to marry for LGBT people is the law of America.  The announcement that the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that marriage for same-gender couples is to be protected under the 14th Amendment was overwhelmingly amazing.  I am so happy beyond words that we all witnessed such a miracle.  Exciting things are happening as we move towards equality for LGBTQ people; even as matters of racism continue to be very difficult for all of us.

I am writing this blog post with the exciting news coming out of the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, that the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina has been elected and confirmed as the 27th Presiding Bishop.  Bishop Curry will also make history as the first African American Presiding Bishop in The Episcopal Church.

These historical events are changing both the Church and society.  They tell the continuing story of the movement of the Holy Spirit who continues to "renew the face of the earth"(Psalm 104:31) with a more inclusive Church.  As we listen more closely to the stories of individuals who were and are marginalized and are now finding acceptance; they may be feeling like those who approached Jesus in our Gospel today.  They sought Jesus out to find healing and reconciliation in their lives.  They may have felt like there was no hope, and if only they could have one chance to touch the hem of Christ's garment, they would discover that their faith is stronger than they thought.

Our reading from Wisdom tells us that it is not God's desire for us to live in darkness and death.  God created and calls us where we are to a life of devotion and service in Christ's Name.  As Christians who believe in the resurrection of Christ, we too are being empowered by the Spirit to that living faith through which God raises up the lowly, feeds the hungry and has mercy on all who seek God.

Our society continues to struggle to recognize those who are economically disenfranchised, sick and lonely in a way that is life-giving.  Many feel as if they have no hope.  They can be likened to those who came to tell Jairus that his daughter was already dead, "don't bother."  Jesus is the fullness of God's compassion and justice.  He raises the girl up, and returns her to her mother and father to be fed.  So Jesus challenges us to see beyond what we see or think we know.  Jesus calls on us to bring new life and purpose that gives new life to all who come.

As much as we rejoice in stories such as this, there are those who read them and wonder where God was when their child was sick.  My mind went to a similar place yesterday when the marriage ruling from SCOTUS was announced.  It is a grand day for many who have waited long for this day.  However, there are many LGBT couples for whom this announcement came much too late.  Individuals who saw their partners pass away due to complications of HIV/AIDS, cancer or some other illness.   How many mothers and fathers of lesbian and gay children saw their loved ones suffer through the death of their spouse, and could do so very little to help them.  Or spouses who took their child to a doctor and were refused because of policies regarding parenting of LGBT couples.   These are individuals who have experienced deep wounds.  What does our Gospel have to say to them?

I believe the message sounds something like this.  Darkness, discrimination and death are real and painful, but they are not an end in and of themselves.  Jesus Christ shows us "the way" to a life of healing and reconciliation, in which despair gives away to new hope.  Jesus Christ is about a new song in our hearts that lifts us up from the ashes, and makes us that "new creation" that St. Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

As we go forward as Christ's Body, may we pray with and for one another as some rejoice and others respond with grief and confusion.   May we all be a source of healing inspiration with and for one another as we walk with Jesus through dying and rising again.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together
in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a
holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 8, The Book of Common Prayer, p.230).

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

     

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost: The Erotic and Life-Giving Touch of God

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24 (NRSV)

God did not make death,

And he does not delight in the death of the living.

For he created all things so that they might exist;

the generative forces of the world are wholesome,

and there is no destructive poison in them,

and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.

For righteousness is immortal.

 

God created us for incorruption,

and made us in the image of his own eternity,

but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,

and those who belong to his company experience it.

Psalm 30  BCP. p. 621


2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NRSV)

As you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something-- now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has-- not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,

"The one who had much did not have too much,

and the one who had little did not have too little."

Mark 5:21-43 (NRSV)

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." He went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, `Who touched me?'" He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Blog Reflection

I struggled a lot with my sexual orientation, but even more so with just being a sexual person period when I was in my youth.   I was literally afraid of any nude image I might look at, for the fear of all the stuff my religious righty pastor was telling me, just might be true.  I would feel so guilty and foolish, like my sexuality was something that I had to run from. 

You might be surprised to hear that my opinions began to change a little bit, while I was considering becoming a Catholic.  One day, I was having a conversation with the Deacon at the Parish church where I was attending RCIA classes.  When I told him about the complications I was having, he told me: "You know what, Philip, God did not put us on this earth to be miserable."  It took me many more years to finally accept what he said to be true.  Only when I finally came out of my closet for the second time in my life in 2008 after leaving the Courage ex-gay group that was started by Cardinal Cook, and just learned to accept myself, my body, who I am and how I love my partner and so forth, that I began to finally be at some peace about the whole thing.

Why might I be writing all of this here with the Bible readings for this weekend?

Why have I entitled this blog reflection as "The Erotic and Life-Giving Touch of God" ?

This weekend's readings have a sense of telling us that God does not want us to be miserable, alone or even dead as if we have no hope of anything beyond.   Quite the opposite.  The readings here, tell us that God so wants us, you and me, to be joyful, have some fun, experience the presence and touch of others and to receive that life-giving touch that comes from God, through the person of Jesus.

In his book, From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ, Patrick S. Cheng has an entire chapter entitled: Model One: The Erotic Christ.  About this idea, Cheng writes:

The Erotic Christ arises out of the reality that Jesus Christ, as the Word made flesh, is the very embodiment of God's deepest desires for us.  In the words of the Nicene Creed, Jesus Christ came down from heaven not for God's own self-gratification, but rather 'for us and our salvation."  In the gospels, Jesus repeatedly shows his love and desire for all those who come into contact with him, including physical touch.  He uses touch as a way to cure people of disease and disabilities, as well as to bring back to life.  He washes the feet of his disciples, and he even allows the Beloved Disciple to lie close to his breast at the last supper.

Conversely, Jesus is touched physically by many of the people who come into contact with him.  He is touched by the bleeding woman who hoped that his power could heal her.  He is bathed in expensive ointment by the woman at Bethany.  He is kissed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Following the crucifixion, Jesus' body is cleaned and prepared by others for burial.  After his resurrection, Jesus allows Thomas to place his finger in the mark of the nails and also to place his hand in his side.  All of these physical interactions are manifestations of God's love for us--and our reciprocal love for God--through the Erotic Christ (pages 70-71).

In the touch of God and our reaching out to touch God, we experience the healing and life-giving sensation of being loved, wanted and reciprocating our love and want for God.  When people who love each other deeply, regardless of their gender and/or sexual orientation, and reach out to touch another, and be touched in return, it is life-giving and filled with divine grace.   It is one of the many wonderful ways in which God reaches out to us, for us in self-giving love and gives us the opportunity to reach out to touch God with the same self-less love.  

The stories told in our Gospel about the woman who reached out for the hem of Jesus' garment, and the raising of the man's daughter, we see that God's touch is as much erotic, as it is life-giving, as it is healing, forgiving and reconciling.  It changes the lives of those who come into contact with God, through the person of Jesus. 

In our Baptism and participation in the Holy Communion, we are claimed as belonging to Christ, as he reaches out to claim us as God's own, and to unite us to one another through Christ's Body and Blood.  Is there a better reason as to why the Sacrament of the Eucharist is about us being touched by the real presence of Christ, in a bond of holy love?

Later this week and the first part of the week after, the Episcopal Church will be gathering for the General Convention.  At the Convention there will be legislation considered and hopefully passed.   Among them are the approval of Rites to bless same-sex couples in matrimonial ceremonies.  There will also be language to be accepted into the Canons of the Episcopal Church regarding gender expression and/or identity for transgender people.  They will be discussing hot issues such as whether individuals must be baptized to receive Holy Communion, a Church wide wish for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and deep concern regarding bullying.  These and many other actions open the doors for ministry that recognizes God's erotic and life-giving touch for all people, including, but not limited to LGBT people.   As well as individuals who are just looking to draw closer to God by being fed, even if they are not ready for Baptism. 

As a Church and as people of God, we need to be more open to God's touch being erotic and life-giving.  We also need to be ready and willing to share the erotic and life-giving touch that brings healing and wholeness to others as well as to ourselves.  God has called the Church to the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation, so that, the reign of God can continue to become a reality in the here and  now.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together
in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a
holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 8, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230).


Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Poor and Neglected, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).


Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head:
Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their
solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find
fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those Who Live Alone, Book of Common Prayer, p. 829).