Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Sorting the Seeds and the Weeds

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 44:6-8 (NRSV)

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,

and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:

I am the first and I am the last;

besides me there is no god.

Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,

let them declare and set it forth before me.

Who has announced from of old the things to come?

Let them tell us what is yet to be.

Do not fear, or be afraid;

have I not told you from of old and declared it?

You are my witnesses!

Is there any god besides me ?

There is no other rock; I know not one.

Psalm 86 (BCP., p.710)


Romans 8:12-25 (NRSV)

Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (NRSV)

Jesus put before the crowd another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, `Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, `An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, `Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, `No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!"

Blog Reflection

I am writing this blog reflection after a week of incredible news throughout the world.   The terrible news of the Malaysian flight that was shot down and the AIDS researchers that were killed saddened us all.   The violence in Gaza and the Middle East disturbs us to our bones.  We still have a congress that is pretty much powerless to operate because of billionaire corporate money that keeps the wealthy safe, while the poor, the sick and the weak are kept on the lowest level of our priorities.  

At the same time, we have received some wonderful news this week.   The Bishop's Synod in the Church of England has passed a measure for women Bishops.   As we approach the 40th anniversary of women being ordained in The Episcopal Church, the news of women Bishops adds to the celebration.  

President Obama announced this past week that he would be signing an executive order that would protect LGBT people from federal job discrimination on Monday.   

Judges in the State of Florida and Oklahoma have ruled that constitutional amendments banning the freedom to marry for same-gender couples are unconstitutional.

In the middle of all of these things going on, the voice of the Holy Spirit is calling on Christians to listen with the ears of their hearts, for God's initiative for us to have a relationship with God and one another.   In that relationship, God wants us to see God's genuine love by which no one is rejected or labeled an outcast by our own standards.   The relationship of God with all of us is one that saves us from our false sense of certainty.   To search for union with God as our only source of certainty.

The message for Christians in our Lectionary readings this weekend, is for us to see that Jesus has planted the seed of God's Spirit within all of us.  In obedience to the will of God, the seed grows and the love of God should inspire within us "truly thankful hearts we may show forth" the praise of God.  "Not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving ourselves up to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness of life all our days" (General Thanksgiving, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 125).   When we harbor prejudices towards others because of their race, gender, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, etc. our Spiritual garden of life begins to grow weeds that hide the true beauty of the plant that grows from the seed.

We do not really need to worry about whether we believe "the devil and his angels" planted the weeds or not.  The weeds that shows from the cruel rhetoric we use towards "illegal" immigrants, including the children that are deported because of the "law", comes from an evil source by it's own nature.   That source is political popularity and a sense of belonging to some party just to be one of the crowd.   While the real Gospel seed that was planted by Jesus, becomes bitter and tasteless.  It might as well be burned.

As Christians we have been blessed beyond measure that God chose us to answer the call to receive God's grace through the message of the Cross and the Resurrection.   By our Baptismal Covenant, we have responded to Christ's invitation to come to Him, and honor Him in all persons, striving for peace and justice and respecting the dignity of every human being.   If our answer is, "we will with God's help" but make an exception because of a bias, then we profane the Name of Jesus Christ in our words and actions.  

Our Readings today, call us to be attentive to the Holy Spirit's call on each of our lives as those for whom there is no longer any condemnation. (See Romans 8:1).   Jesus through His life showed us the way to love God, our neighbor and ourselves.   In so doing, the weeds have no where to grow, and the seed remains pure and full of flavor.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our
necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have
compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those
things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our
blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, p. 231).

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

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

Seventh Sunday of Easter: Christ's Presence in His Absence

Today's Scripture Readings


Acts 1:6-14 (NRSV)

When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Psalm 68 (BCP., p.676)


1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 (NRSV)

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

John 17:1-11 (NRSV)

Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. "

Blog Reflection

This past Thursday, the Church celebrated the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.   The feast recalls that forty days after the Resurrection on Easter Day, Jesus ascended into Heaven.  

The Ascension is a mysterious event in the Scriptures.  The Bible is quite clear that it happened, but not so clear as to when it occurred.   The Gospel of Matthew has almost no account of the Ascension.   It is briefly referred to in Mark.  In Luke's Gospel there is the suggestion that the Ascension happened on Easter Day.   John does not mention the Ascension in a chronological order, but, he records that Jesus spoke of such in the Last Supper discourse as He prepared the Disciples for His Death and Resurrection.  Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come after the Ascension in Acts, and in the Gospel reading for today.

It feels as if we Christians are in an in between time.  Between Ascension and Pentecost.  In terms of the seasons, that is where we are.  However, this period of time in the Liturgical Year is not unlike where we all are.   We are between the narration of these Gospel accounts, and awaiting the return of Christ, just as the Apostles awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Something wonderful has yet to happen.  All we know, as did all they knew then, is that God had done something amazing, and the best was yet to come. As we read through out the Acts of the Apostles, the best that God gave on Pentecost was a miraculous transformation in the lives of those who received the Holy Spirit.  It changed them, those around them and it really changed the lives of those who heard the message of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection.  It also changed how others responded to the message of the early Church.  Some responded with joyful reception.   Others just couldn't get passed hearing about it without using their political powers to try to silence the messengers.

We in this Year of 2014 are given the same choice that those first Apostles were given on that Ascension Day.   We can stand idle, looking up to the heavens for the best new wave of miracles that may or may not happen, or, we can gather and pray and work together as the Holy Spirit is already among us calling on us to minister hospitality, healing and reconciliation to those who are oppressed, experiencing injustice, prejudice and separation from any sense of community. 

We will experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit next Sunday on Pentecost, along with the joyous emotions of celebrating the birthday of the Church.   It is right and good that we will celebrate together. However, so long as the members of the Church walk with tunnel vision to our neighbors who suffer from poverty, gun violence, loss of loved ones, their health and well being without turning to them with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, the celebration of Easter, the Ascension and Pentecost is nothing more than a fable with no realistic implications.   Our Baptism means little more than a head splashing, and our Baptismal Covenant are vows taken for nothing.

Through prayer, worship and an openness to the presence of Jesus Christ amidst His absence, the Body of Christ which is the Church remains active and real.  For it is in the Eucharist that Jesus nourishes His Body (as in us) as one people called together in our diversity and amidst our disagreements to love one another as Christ loves us.   Our oneness is not so much in what we believe, but in what we pray.   We pray together and with one another for God to make a difference in the world through faith in all that Christ has accomplished on our behalf.   Through the Paschal Mystery that we have celebrated during this Easter Season, we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to love one another, and others who are different from ourselves with acceptance and wholeness, as we ourselves have experienced.   But, only if we allow that grace of God to work in and through our lives.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son
Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to
strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior
Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 226).

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

 

Day of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Comes, Speaks and Transforms

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 2: 2-11 (NRSV)

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

`In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "

Psalm 104 (BCP., p.736)


Romans 8: 14-17 (NRSV)

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

John 14: 8-17, 25-27 (NRSV)

Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."

"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

Blog Reflection

To fully appreciate the awesomeness of this Pentecost, we would do well to understand it's origins in the Jewish Faith.   Pentecost for the Jewish religion is also known as Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks.  The Feast celebrates God giving the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai.  God's commandments to love God with all one's heart, mind, soul and strength, and love one's neighbor as oneself.  The Feast commemorates God pouring out God's love for God's people with a call to do justice and live in thanksgiving for all God did for the people of Israel. 

As Christians, we celebrate God pouring out the fullness of God's presence and power by the way of the Holy Spirit.  The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ brings it's best and most powerful grace.  The out pouring of the Holy Spirit to come on those first Apostles gathered in that upper room.  The experience was so life changing that it brought with it the ecstasy of God's presence made real, and faith given reason to give birth to the Church.  The Faith of the Apostolic ministry becomes empowered to speak boldly about God's act of salvation in Jesus Christ, and to advance the arrival of God's Reign.  The arrival of the Holy Spirit unties the bonds of different languages, so that each person listening can hear the message of the Gospel in their own tongue.  The joy of God's love and mercy can be received by everyone, without distinction.

Psalm 104 blesses the Lord with all our souls, as the Holy Spirit is celebrated as God created all things.   All creatures great and small, are the product of God's Spirit that has existed before all time.  On Pentecost the prayer of Psalm 104:31 is answered.  "You send forth your Spirit, and they are created, and so you renew the face of the earth."   The prayer is answered for the Apostles, but continues to be the prayer of Christ on behalf of us.  That God's Holy Spirit will impart Her graces upon us, in this time, to be Christ's answer to how the Spirit renews the face of the earth.

The Gospel for today is so well fitted to what we are reading in Acts, the Psalms, and Paul's letter to the Romans.   Philip asks the question that all of us ask from time to time.  "Jesus, show us the Father."   Philip is blessed with the physical presence of Jesus.  He reminds Philip that he has in fact seen the Father in Christ.  Philips search for God is found in Christ, who is God's perfect revelation of Self.   Jesus' affirmation of Philips faith is not just a matter of personal revelation.   It is to be evident in Philips ability to love God by way of all that Christ has commanded.

The commandments of God in Christ are to be lived by faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit that is given on the Day of Pentecost.  God is present in the Holy Trinity by way of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so as to lead us to God in faith and in action through our daily lives as we love one another as Christ loves us.  It gives evidence to the presence of the Holy Spirit who has come to speak and transform ourselves and others around us.  To transform a world filled with the darkness of violence, poverty, prejudice, oppression, and injustice.  To transform the Church to end the sins committed by a masked religious zeal to marginalize women, LGBTQ people, people of different races, religions, people who are economically, physically/developmentally/emotionally challenged, cultures and abilities. The Church must be open to being continually renewed to become the Community of the Spirit, by extending our hands and arms in radical hospitality and reconciliation.  Ready to kneel down and wash the feet of all who come, looking for hope and a place to rest their souls.

This week, the Holy Spirit moved on the State of Minnesota.  On Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota signed into law the freedom to marry bill.  As of August 1, 2013 LGBT people will be able to legally marry the person they love.  Minnesota's Episcopal Bishop, Brian Prior recognizes that within our Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion there is a diversity that must be honored.   This includes respect for those Parishes in our Episcopal Church in Minnesota that may chose not to bless same-sex relationships.  I personally would love to have every Episcopal parish agree to bless same-sex relationships.  I tend to agree with those who would remark that parishes that don't are not being open to the movement of the Spirit.  However, the Spirit moves however She chooses, when She chooses, and on whomever She chooses.  Even on hearts like mine that are so arrogant, opinionated, and often not as open as they should be.  It is so important on this Day of Pentecost to honor the Spirit moving as She does in the hearts of each person, including those we disagree with.  Oh, how I need to better understand that with love and compassion with them, as God does with me.   As with all Christians.

The Holy Spirit has come.  She has come to speak and transform us, our communities, ourselves, our relationships, our prayers. To renew them to be life-giving in diversity, and in common.

As Pentecost officially closes the Easter Season of 2013, may Christians move forward with a renewed commitment to love God, our neighbors, ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being with God's help.   May the Holy Spirit who came to speak and transform, begin with us and lead us forward in peace and hope.

Amen.

Prayers

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life
to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy
Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the
preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the
earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227).


O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful
people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all
things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.  (Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227).


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

Trinity Sunday: A Relationship of Love to Be Transparent

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 6: 1-8 (NRSV)

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory."

The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Psalm 29 (BCP. p. 620)


Romans 8: 12-17 (NRSV)

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

John 3: 1-17 (NRSV)

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Blog Reflection

Trinity Sunday always follows Pentecost.   Call it a "book end" as we move from the Easter Season on Pentecost into the Season after Pentecost or sometimes it is called "Ordinary Time."  Yet, before we return to the other Sundays after Pentecost, we stop on this first Sunday after, to reflect on a very profound and mysterious part of the Christian Faith, called the Trinity.

We could get into a long winded philosophical discussion about whether the relationship between the three Persons of the Trinity is logically possible or not.  We can talk about how when we are baptized in the Name of God in the three Persons of the Trinity.  We could also spend a significant amount of time on the subject of whether to refer to the three Persons by way of the traditional Names, or by more inclusive Names.  Yet, what the Trinity means for Christians still gets lost in all of the rhetoric of theological treatises and books. 

The Trinity cannot be explained or even described.  It can only be experienced as God's grace so chooses.  It is both beautiful and mighty.  It is holy, yet compassionate.  It is open to more than any human expression that can be written or spoken about.  God, the Holy Trinity can be known and loved as the One from whom all love comes and returns.  Yet as God's love in the relationship known as the Trinity is beyond our sight or comprehension, it is transparent in that it also transforms.  It can change the lives of all who are recipients of God's favor through boundless and all inclusive love.

The experience of God's relationship of love is transparent when we as human persons make the effort to "love my God, who lives in my neighbor" (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).  A transforming love that does not condone violence, prejudice, injustice or oppression.  A love that knows that to exercise brutality in word or action in the Name of Jesus Christ, is both a misuse of the Holy Name of God in the Anointed One of God, and an offense to the God who gives us every reason to love God back.  To declare that God's word in the Scriptures condones two Pastors suggesting that all LGBT people be killed by the government, is to spit in the face of the Jesus who is already crowned with thorns as he prepares to embrace the Cross on our behalf.  

The relationship of God's love through the Trinity knows that the physical love between two people of the same sex is holy, beautiful and wonderful.   That an individual who is born one gender and knows that she/he is a totally different gender, is blessed by God to live out the meaning of the resurrected Christ.  Women are to be shown respect and dignity with regards to their bodies, without making them second class citizens to men.  It is a love that seeks justice through compassion by individuals of all religious professions and practices, when any or all of us seeks the common good of every human person, without exception.

As we worship God today in this relationship of the Trinity, may we also honor the love that is given as we relate to one another.  May today be the opportunity for hospitality and reconciliation so that the healing presence of a loving God may be experienced because it is transparent.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us
your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to
acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the
power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep
us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to
see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with
the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for Trinity Sunday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 228).

 O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things
both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you,
all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable
for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen. (Proper 4, Book of Common Prayer, p. 229).

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, p. 833).

 

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May Hope and Love Not Disappoint Us

Today's Scripture Reading

Romans 5: 1-5 (NRSV)

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Blog Reflection

Today is one of those days for me in which the news around us is so discouraging that I want something to come from God to automatically change what is happening.  Several evangelistic Pastors have spoken in favor of the Government putting LGBT people to death.  We have an election in Wisconsin with money in politics thanks to Citizens United drowning out the voices of those who are affected by politics and wealth so unfairly.  There doesn't seem to be much hope for progressive Christians and people of good will.

When we pray the Office of Noonday Prayer, one of the optional verses to read is Romans 5: 5.  "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."   This verse seems so important during this week after Pentecost.   The Holy Spirit has come upon us.  Just like those first Apostles who faced the rejection from their current surroundings as they wanted to share the message of the saving work of God in Jesus Christ, so do those of us here in the 21st Century.   All of that wonderful power that came upon those believers on Pentecost Sunday was not to glorify themselves, but to become messengers and ministers of radical hospitality and reconciliation.

While the news and events around us are difficult to say the very least, they are not the end of the story.  Just as what happened to those first followers of Jesus as they faced persecutions, beatings and so forth.  They were not without hope or the love of God that was poured out to them by the Holy Spirit.  It was because of their hope in God that they were able to strengthen their faith and love one another to continue to work for the kind of change that would strengthen the communities around them.   Those of us who know that the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would do well to also be faithful to what we know is true concerning what being a Christian means.  

It means remembering that God's love is unconditional and all inclusive.  All of God's children are loved and valued.  We too are called to love and value one another. 

It means reminding ourselves and other Christians that God does not condone violence, oppression and cruelty as a means to spread the Gospel.   Those who share a Gospel of discrimination, so as to encourage violence and financial gain while others are severely injured or killed, are proclaiming a Gospel that is fake and poorly understood.  The Gospel that we believe in, by which we were baptized into a relationship with the Holy Trinity and each other, holds us accountable to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being, with God's help" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305).  We take this very seriously, because the last thing we want to do is offend God by mistreating Jesus who is present in another human person.

As we pray for hope and look for that love that the Holy Spirit that was poured into our hearts at Pentecost, we also pray for God to lead God's people forward from this point.  We pray that the Holy Spirit will also open the hearts and minds of those who preach a false gospel of violence and prejudice, to work instead for hospitality and true reconciliation for all people.   May those of us Christians who pray and believe in our God of extravagant love and uncompromising mercy, become the eyes, mouth, feet and hands of the inclusive and healing Jesus.


Prayers

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful
people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all
things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Day of Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227).

Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be
peaceably governed by your providence; and that your
Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 3, Book of Common Prayer, p. 229).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).  

The Day of Pentecost: Holy Spirit, Lead Us Into Truth

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 2: 1-21 (NRSV)

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

`In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "

Psalm 104 (BCP. p.736)


Romans 8:22-27 (NRSV)

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

"I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But, now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

Blog Reflection

These past two weeks since President Obama announced that he supports marriage equality for LGBT people have been amazing.  We have witnessed the movement of the Holy Spirit in wonderful and new ways.   We have also seen how quickly prejudice and violence rises from those who continue to use the Bible and the Christian religion as a means for hate and cruelty.

This past week we have been reading and hearing about the Pastor in North Carolina who has called for all "queers to be executed."   Many in America both religious and non-religious have responded with outrage and horror.   Yet, the Pastor's own church members supported what he said.   It is amazing and unbelievable how hate in the Name of Jesus Christ can be so popular.

Is it any wonder that so many upon hearing about things such as this turn away from the Christian religion?    Why would anyone want to participate in a religion with messengers who preach hate and violence, and encourage others to do the same?

Because those who preach and teach that Christianity and the Bible are the means for discrimination, cruelty and oppression are telling only one side of the story.   It is not the Christ side.   Their story of Jesus that suggests fear and destruction does not reflect the accurate picture of Jesus or the Christian religion.  We could easily say that they are taking the Lord's Name in vein and they do not even know it.

As we celebrate today the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day, we see how the Advocate changed the Apostles instantly.  Their moods, their activities and so forth were transformed so quickly, it looked  like they were drunk at 9am.   Peter rose and told the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how this fulfills what the prophets had foretold.   The Church was born and given their sense of mission.  But, the story does not end there.   Just like the truth about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church and the Bible do not end with the book of Revelation.  Nor are they perfectly understood or described by one preachers words, or any particular church council.

Jesus said: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

The first time I heard this Gospel passage preached on in a way that is open to diversity, was by now retired Bishop Christopher Senyonjo of Uganda.   He preached about how all of the truth about homosexuality or any part of the Gospel is not finished, but is a continually evolving.  Jesus recognized that the work of the Holy Spirit revealing God's truth to humankind would not end with the Apostles, but would continue to be unraveled throughout human history.  Through the words of Jesus from John's Gospel today, we know that truth is something that is not static, nor is it abstract.  It does not end with one declaration, nor is it "common sense" when their are so many different cultures, races, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions, languages and religious that understand truth to mean different things.  Yet, we know that the Holy Spirit, the feminine nature of God, continues to speak whatever she hears, and declares what is to come from the heart of God.

It is no accident that I might remember this Scripture being preached on by Bishop Christopher.  He preached and continues to preach on this matter, because of Uganda's continued efforts to pass a bill that would mean that LGBT individuals who are open, suspected or outed could be put in prison or executed by hanging.   The bill would mean that Pastors, counselors, teachers and/or parents who do not report homosexuals to the authorities could themselves face prison time.  The bill has been supported and encouraged by American evangelical missionaries of hate.

Yet, here we are on Pentecost Sunday, a week after the message of Pastor Worley calling for the execution of LGBT people.  Particularly after North Carolina voters passed a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality earlier this month.  This just goes to show that Christianists are not happy with just passing marriage amendments.  They literally want LGBT people eliminated.  Once discrimination becomes a matter of being passed by voters, where does it stop?

Our Mother, the Holy Spirit desires to lead us into all truth.  Including the truth that the Church has got many things wrong.   The Holy Spirit can certainly reveal that the way the Bible has been interpreted and Church tradition has framed the discussion of homosexuality all through the years, as being totally wrong.

The question for us is, are we open to the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth?   Are we so arrogant that we refuse to be open to the Holy Spirit leading us to be more inclusive and loving, and less biased and violent?  Are we open that our Mother, the Holy Spirit may help us to know that the power of salvation and redemption by way of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives us every reason to love the unlovable?   To reach out to those marginalized and oppressed by the Church and society to minister to them by the way of radical hospitality and reconciliation? 

God the Holy Spirit comes to us so that we may know God's comfort and consolation in the midst of the pains, trials and sufferings of life.  She comes to share her grace and truth that it is okay to let her open up the Pandora's Boxes that we put God, our neighbors and ourselves into, to keep us from accepting and loving those who are different from ourselves.   Including allowing ourselves to let go of any criteria we have developed for how we judge others, and realizing that all of us, regardless of who we are, are in need of forgiveness, redemption and the hope of being loved unconditionally and inclusively.  To call on Church leadership to stop using our religion as an excuse to hate and exclude.   Instead, the Holy Spirit comes to help us to exercise the ministry of welcome and healing of those broken relationships that Jesus Christ came to heal.

As we conclude the Easter Season today, we go forth having been renewed in faith, hope and love.   Knowing that God has forgiven us, and reconciled us to God's Self by way of the Cross and Resurrection.  That our Mother, the Holy Spirit comes to help us by her grace and tender teachings to know that she groans in intercession before God on our behalf, so that we may be God's witnesses of all that Jesus Christ taught and did, being open to being lead into all truth.   The truth that does not end on Pentecost.  It only begins as we are open to what God's Spirit will do in and through us, if we are open to learning more truth as she hears it from the heart of Almighty God.


Prayers

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful
people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all
things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.  (Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227)


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


Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 824).

St. Joseph: Father 2 in a very Non-Traditional Family

Today's Scripture Readings

2 Samuel 7:4,8-16 (NRSV)

The word of the LORD came to Nathan:

Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

Romans 4:13-18 (NRSV)

The promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be."

Luke 2:41-52 (NRSV)

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

Blog Reflection

All this talk about the meaning of love, marriage and family these days, seems to forget that Jesus was born into a non-traditional family.  At least according to their version. 

In Matthew 1:18-25 from today's Morning Prayer, we read of how Joseph was planning to dismiss Mary, because she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  Mary could have been exposed in shame, or even stoned to death for conceiving another child out of wedlock.  Joseph would have been complying with the laws of the day.  He was in his right to do so.  God, however, has a really good sense of humor.  Just when ya think following the rule book is the best thing to do, an angel shows up to tell Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife.  The child that Mary would bear, would be Jesus who would be the Savior of the world.  Once Joseph is aware of God's plan, he accepts God's call and takes Mary to Bethlehem.  And, we know the rest of the story.

The Gospel narrative from Luke about Jesus being found in the temple, ends with him saying something very peculiar.  "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"   It seems that the young boy Jesus is aware that there is more than one Father in his life.  Very interesting, no?

Joseph may have been born of the noble line of David, but Jesus who was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary, was born in the City of David, yet was the Son of God. 

It appears that Joseph was father number 2 in a very non-traditional family.  One in which things were not so logical, as in, made sense.  It was by God's will that what came to pass happened.  If God was so concerned about the rules, God would have chosen to act on them, right?  Not necessarily.

God is not bound by time or laws, nor is God limited by how humankind thinks or writes about God.  Therein lies the real problem with the Bible.  It is a book written about God's acts, by imperfect human beings, though inspired by the Holy Spirit, yes.  But, the views written are still accounts from a human perspective. Words, accounts and meanings are rightly met with a little bit of skepticism.  So are the things we interpret from them.   The messages contained within, do inspire us as the Holy Spirit seeks to move us with her grace.

Whether our family is one of a man and a woman, with or with out children.  Or a family of two women, with or without children.  Or a family of two men, with or without children.  Each family is one that has been brought together by God's grace and design.   Family, however it is defined, is built around individuals loving each other, caring about one another and seeking to create a community of compassion and companionship in a world that is all too scary and lonely for way too many people.  

The negative atmosphere that Christianists and other arch-conservative groups are casting around LGBT families, couples and individuals is based on false information, biased opinions and facts that simply do not exist, only in their minds.  Yet, they are willing to go State by State, to destroy marriage equality laws in States that have passed them, or wage campaigns for ballot initiatives against marriage equality to pass them.  The Roman Catholic church and their hierarchy of authoritarianism disguised as religious zeal for the House of God, insists on arguing for religious freedom, while violating it for others who do not share their opinions.   Whether the issue be abortion, contraception or marriage equality, there is no stopping their political maneuvering to make their ways, the "American way." 

It seems to me that Jesus came into the world, because a man who was dedicated to following the rules, was suddenly open to God's will, once it was made clear to him.  And because he acted on God's will and not his own, the Savior of the world was born, and through him, the Church.  The Christian religion is not one of a list of major rules or one way moral codes.  Our Faith exists not because of some thing, but because of some One.  His Name is Jesus Christ. 

Jesus came as one who brought with him, God's love for all people.  Including those, who were thought to be unlovable and unwanted.  Even the eunuchs, the gay men.  Even women.  Including the sick, the lonely, and the discouraged.  Those considered unclean or non-traditional.  Jesus even put a human face on the dead, by giving of his own life, and raising them up in the resurrection. 

In what ways are we open this Lent to God shattering our expectations?

How does God meet us in the midst of made plans, and changes our hearts so to better follow God's will?

How do we see others who are different from ourselves in light of God's salvation?

As we remember St. Joseph and his willingness to be open to God, let us all pray for one another to be open to the call of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives.   If God did such amazing things through Joseph's openness, imagine what God could do through our own openness?


Prayers

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised
up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the
spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his
uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 239).


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


O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

Cornelius the Centurion: Being Open to New Things

Today's Scripture Reading


Acts 11:1-18  (NRSV)

Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, `Get up, Peter; kill and eat.' But I replied, `By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But a second time the voice answered from heaven, `What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, `John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."

Blog Reflection

Reading the story of Peter's experience in Joppa shows us that he had a lot of growing up to do.  Peter was used to the Christian Faith being one that only should apply to the Jews who followed Christ.  While Christianity was not suppose to become the religion of supercessionism, it also was not to be isolated to only one people, place or time.  Nor was it to be a Faith that was stagnant.  Peter is met head on with his own narrow prejudices.  God's Spirit told him "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."

Cornelius received the Christian Faith, because the Apostles minds were opened to sharing it with people outside of their comfort zones.  They could begin to understand that the Gospel is meant to defy human logic, and yet it is to communicate love and respect for the dignity of all human persons.  So does our Baptismal Covenant in the Book of Common Prayer p. 292-294.

This is such a great commemoration on the same day that the Federal Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit ruled that Proposition 8 that restricts marriage for straight people is unconstitutional.  You can read the entire document of that ruling here.  LGBT people all over the country are celebrating this moment of victory for the hopes of full marriage equality.   What a wonderful day.

The internet is buzzing with the usual good news, along with comments from those who oppose Prop. 8 as well as those who want it to stay put.  Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council.   Concerned Women for America.  The Alliance Defense Fund.  The National Organization for Marriage.  Catholics for the "Common Good."  These groups have all come out with their usual hateful rhetoric and total disregard for Christian Charity,  tooting their own horns about today's ruling as "bad for children and families" etc, etc.

This kind of reaction brings me back to the words Jesus spoke in John 16: 12 and 13.

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." 

I think the experience of Peter that led to the conversion of Cornelius is a perfect example of the Holy Spirit leading the Church into all truth.  The Church and hopefully all Christians are still being led into all truth. We are not completely there yet.  Truth for Christians was revealed in someone, namely Jesus Christ. That Truth is never stagnant or complete until he returns.  In the mean time, the Holy Spirit is still speaking those things that are to come.  For us in the 21st Century, that appears to be recognizing that LGBT people are good and holy as we are.  Our sexuality is blessed by God as a means of loving others, and serving everyone's "common good" and not just a certain few.  When exercised in holy and life-giving relationships, the sexual expression between two people of the same-sex communicates love and the self sacrifice of one person for the other.  Yes, these things are possible as God continues to lead us into all truth as our Mother the Holy Spirit speaks and declares what is to come.

It is possible for us, just as it was for Peter and Cornelius. to be drawn to a greater understanding of God, others and ourselves by being open to that Conversion of Life St. Benedict refers to in the Rule that calls us to serve others out of reverence for Christ.  What is needed is for us to be open and willing to allow God to change our hearts and to repent of our sins of prejudice in attitudes and behaviors. 

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us into all truth, and help us to be open to new things for the glory of God's reign.  Because Jesus also said: "Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you." (John 12: 35).


Prayers

O God, by your Spirit you called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles; Grant to your Church such a ready will to go where you send and to do what you command, that under your guidance it may welcome all who turn to you in love and faith, and proclaim the Gospel to all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Cornelius the Centurion, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p. 215).

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us
the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known
to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 216).


O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

Clement of Alexandria: Discerning the Word In the Truth Found in LGBT People

Today's Scripture Readings

Colossians 1:11-20 (NRSV)

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

John 6:57-63 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the Jews, "Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Blog Reflection

Clement of Alexandria was known as a liberal thinker in the early Church. 

At the time that Clement lived there was a heresy that was sweeping the Christian Church.  The heresy of the Gnosticism that held that there was salvation in knowledge.   This knowledge of salvation was "through a secret and rather esoteric knowledge accessible only to a few. It was salvation from the world father than salvation of the world." 

In the discussion of Mark 10:17-31 with Christ's words: "Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."  His interpretation sanctioned the "right use" of material goods and wealth." (HWHM page 102).

This explanation of Clement's work to better understand God's salvation of the world, tells me that the Word that is to discern the truth, is not finished with the completion of the Bible, nor the teachings of any particular church body.   This understanding is what was meant in John 16:13 when Jesus says: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth."  Truth in the Word (Jesus) of God is still being discerned. 

Our Scripture reading from Paul tells us that all who believe in Jesus are enabled by God to "share in the inheritance of the Saints in light."   God "has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins."

There is light and hope and salvation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people (LGBTQ).  We are not in darkness because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, or because we exercise our sexuality in ways that communicate love for other people. 

Jesus is still the "image of the invisible God" and communicates God's love and power of salvation through not only LGBTQ people, but also many others who are different than the status quo of what most consider to be "normal." 

Jesus came among us as God's Bread of Life to feed all those who desire salvation and holiness through the Christian experience.  LGBT people with all that is good about us, draw closer to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Body of Christ.  LGBTQ people challenge Christians settled on things being as they think they should be, to further consider and discern the truth in the Word about a sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression that cannot be changed through ex-gay and/or reparative therapy.  Yet, LGBTQ people come to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Body of Christ seeking the opportunity to be included among God's holy people.

Discerning God's Word about the truth is not found in our convenient Pandoras Boxes.  It is also found in the real life experiences of actual people in the situations they find themselves.  And they are not all neatly compacted to echo the traditions of the Biblical authors.  And things understood and done that do not make sense to what is written in Scriptures, are not evil "in and of themselves" (hence the word: intrinsic, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church).  Truth is also found in the third stool used in Anglican Theology: reason which also consists of human experiences.  And no, the Bible and/or Church authority cannot define that all the time for all people. 

How are we discerning God's Word where ever truth is found?  Are we open to the Holy Spirit continuing to guide us in all truth?


Prayers

O God of unsearchable wisdom, you gave your servant Clement grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, the source of all truth: Grant to your church the same grace to discern your Word wherever truth is found; through Jesus Christ our unfailing light, 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 103).

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Second Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 211).

Truth Continues to Be Revealed as Diversity is Embraced and Defended

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 13:47-52 (NRSV)

Jesus told his disciples, "The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

Blog Reflection

I remember my Church History Professor Dr. K. Stephen McCormick saying: "Once you define absolute it is no longer absolute."  Even though he was a professor in a conservative Christian liberal arts college of the Church of the Nazarene, what he said is as true for Anglicans and Episcopalians.  It is true for all of us who call ourselves Christians. 

Last year Ret. Bishop Christopher Senyonjo taught me one of the most valuable lessons when he preached on John 16: 12 and 13.  Jesus said: "I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, she will guide you into all truth; for she will not speak on her own, but will speak whatever she hears and she will declare to you the things that are to come."  With this Scripture we can understand that none of us knows the full truth about God, ourselves and others.  Not one of us has obtained all truth about the Bible, theology or anything else either by ourselves or from the best of scholarship to know all that there is to know.  Therefore, as Christians we would do well to be open to the idea that all the truth we now know that began with God's revelation continues that revelation (Epiphany) even today.  We must be open to new things and understandings.  We must never stop with just our Nicene or Apostles Creeds.  We must never read the Bible literally without some attention to good researched information and attention to detail.  As Anglican's we can implore Church and human Tradition and Reason to better understand how and where the Holy Spirit is leading us into truth.

Today as we commemorate St. Thomas Aquinas, we celebrate God's Spirit continuing to lead us into all truth.  Recognizing that those who make billion dollar profits off of building capitalistic empires of hate for homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people by misinterpretations of Scripture are most likely wrong about the conclusions they have made.  There is more than one way to interpret the favorite "clobber passage" Leviticus 20:13: "If a man lies with a man as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them."  As a proud gay Episcopalian Christian, I think that is actually good news.  I would never want a man to lay there with me another man as he would with a woman.  I want him, my Partner Jason, to lay there with me as one man lays with another man. There are lesbians who are quite happy to hear that a man should not lay with another man as they do a woman, seeing they don't want men laying next to them. I thank Rev. Robyn Provost for this thought that I have just shared with you.  I also know that the word "abomination" meaning "toevah" means "cultural taboo".  There are plenty of us that eat shrimp that is also considered an abomination.  A lot of people where clothing made of two kinds of material.  And how many of us today would take a child that is being disobedient to her or his parents out to the edges of the city and stone her or him to death in front of everyone to watch?  Because we are open to being led into truth which was the work of St. Thomas Aquinas even in his limited ideology, we now understand so much more than he did.  It is said that upon his death bed, he said he did not really believe a word of what he wrote.  So even Thomas Aquinas questioned things like we do today.

Today more than ever, Christians and all people of good will need to be open with what truths the Spirit is leading us to.   Over the past 24 hours we have been hearing two pieces of really bad news.  We have heard of the tragic murder of Ugandan LGBT Activist David Kato who was found stabbed to death in his home.  I am so proud today of Archbishop Rowan Williams for his response to this news that you can read here.  I am also proud of many in The Episcopal Church including our Presiding Bishop who had these words to say:  

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Kato's murder "deprives his people of a significant and effective voice, and we pray that the world may learn from his gentle and quiet witness, and begin to receive a heart of flesh in place of a heart of stone. May he rest in peace, and may his work continue to bring justice and dignity for all God's children."

We are also very disappointed that an Anglican Priest in Uganda led efforts to yell inappropriate anti-gay remarks outside Kato's funeral

Many of us have responded to the 24 hour petition for Brenda Namigadde, a Ugandan lesbian in the UK who faces deportation back to Uganda where she has a death threat awaiting her.

In Louisiana, a gay man has become the victim of a hate crime, by being beaten with a Billiards cue stick.

Yet, on the other side of the same coin, there is some good news for LGBT people today.  The Senate Majority Leader in Iowa is making himself a human shield in a sense to keeping marriage equality the law there.  He has been working very hard to make sure the Constitutional Amendment there does not come to a vote in the Senate.    There has been a Gender Identity anti-discrimination bill introduced in the House in Maryland to protect transgender people from identity theft. 

While there is terrible religious based bigotry towards LGBT people all over the world, in the USA and the Church, there are still really terrific things that are happening as people turn their minds to the Spirit who is continuing to "guide us into all truth." 

Truth continues to be revealed as we embrace and defend diversity.  I do believe that is the kind of truth that St. Thomas Aquinas wanted to convey.  Though his own personal reach may not have extended as far as we do today, the point that he began at has contributed in some small way to where we are now.   That is why we commemorate him and all who continue with the Spirit to "guide us into all truth."

Prayers

Almighty God, you have enriched your Church with the singular learning and holiness of your servant Thomas Aquinas: Enlighten us more and more, we pray, by the disciplined thinking and teaching of Christian scholars, and deepen our devotion by the example of saintly lives; 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. Thomas Aquinas, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 195),

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


O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races, cultures, sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions in this world.  Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Thanksgiving for the Diversity of Races and Cultures (Sexual orientations and Gender Identities/Expressions added by blog author), Book of Common Prayer, page 841.)