Fourth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 7: Save Us, O God from the Storms of Prejudice and Violence

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16 (NRSV)

On David's return from killing Goliath, the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand. Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."

When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.

The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.

Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. David had success in all his undertakings; for the LORD was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.

Psalm 133 (BCP., p.787)


2 Corinthians :1-13 (NRSV)

As we work together with Christ, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,

"At an acceptable time I have listened to you,

and on a day of salvation I have helped you."

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return-- I speak as to children-- open wide your hearts also.

Mark 4:25-41 (NRSV)

When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Blog Reflection 

This afternoon I was present for and witnessed the ordination of 33 individuals to the transitional and vocational Diaconate and the Priesthood.  The Rt. Rev. Brian Prior, Bishop of Minnesota  and a large group of worshiping people became participants as these 33 women and men from various backgrounds, ages, races, sexual orientations, health statuses, languages and more received the prayers and blessings to serve Christ's Church in ordained ministry.  It was exciting and uplifting.

Bishop Prior shared with us in his sermon that what the 33 people did was living out their calling as Baptized members of the Church.  He also said that all of us, lay or ordained as Bishops, Priests and Deacons are given the mission of living into our Baptismal Vows.  All of us as Christians, need to hear that message today.

Our Scripture readings this Sunday tell us of God's deepest desire for each of us to know that we are loved, we are sought after, and looked after. 

God's great gift of sexual orientation and desire leads us to know of God's amazing love through the tender love of another person.  The gender of those persons is not at issue with God.  The relationship of David and Jonathon was obviously a lot more than friendship or just good buddies.  David and Jonathan made a covenant to declare their mutual love with each other.  As we read in the account from First Samuel both of them "loved each other more than themselves."  They were bound in soul and body.  Their relationship was a life of self-sacrifice of one for the other.  A love that is so dedicated one to the other, that it is quite likely that Saul was jealous of their bond.  

As we await the decision of the Supreme Court to decide the issue of marriage equality on a civil level, we also await to see what will happen as The Episcopal Church gathers for General Convention to debate the matter of changing the Canons in The Book of Common Prayer, so that same-gender couples who are blessed in TEC, are married and/or in matrimony.  These are two big challenges before society and the Church.  These are difficult times for the Church and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.   Yet, we are united with what our Baptismal Covenant as Episcopalians is about.  Loving God, our neighbor and ourselves, and respecting and upholding the dignity of every human person.  We are called upon as God's people in the here and now which is the day of salvation, to proclaim and live into who we are.   As God does not discriminate against two individuals of the same-gender in loving and committed covenants with each other, to live in self-sacrifice; then neither should we. 

When I read our Gospel Reading from Mark, I thought that it speaks eloquently to what we are all experiencing since the tragic shooting in Charleston, South Carolina this week.  The storm clouds and winds of racism and out of control gun violence have once again pierced our hearts and terrified us.  Our boats of personal security are being tossed by the waves of media storms full of speculation and commentary designed to inflame our suspicions and sensations.  Yet, there are a few things that we are not hearing.

First, both the gunner and those who were shot are individuals of sacred worth.  Whether black or white skinned, they like all of us are God's children.  They have been created and redeemed to fulfill God's purpose in their lives.  It is so very sad that the gunner did not have enough respect and regard for his own life, and therefore could not see the dignity of those he shot without their race being part of the equation. 

Second, the issue of race and gun violence remain out of control.  I know we have a 2nd Amendment to our Constitution.  I know there are those convinced that the Government is coming after their guns and their right to defend themselves from an "oppressive" Government.   However, we apparently live in a time in which those who have high magazine guns do not know or see the difference between weapons that help us defend ourselves, and weapons used to get someone they do not agree with out of the way.  

Third, we have a serious problem when African American teens/youth are gunned down just for walking the side walk, with their Caucasian killers who cannot be fairly prosecuted.  Meanwhile we have a situation in which a young white male entered a church in Charleston, South Carolina and opened fire killing and wounding people worshiping there.  Then we hear of Christians claiming to speak on behalf of all Christians, suggesting that the shooting was an attack against Christians and not racially motivated.

Fourth, we continue to have a poorly made assertion that all gun violence is somehow linked to mental illness or individuals with a mental illness.  Such a stereotype is egregious.  The issue of gun violence needs to be addressed, as does a better health care system for those who live with mental illness.  I continue to hold the opinion that addressing the issue of gun violence without doing more to help people with mental illness gain better services so they are better cared for, could not be more morally wrong.  Negatively stereotyping individuals with mental illness as violent or doing violence and therefore must be further marginalized is also morally wrong.  Such attitudes are additional examples of how far we have to go in terms of living into our Baptismal Covenant.

Finally, as Jesus was there in the boat with those disciples who were scared and their faith weakened by the storm, so Jesus is here with all of us during our tempests.  We are not left to struggle with these issues alone and isolated.  We are nourished by the Presence of Christ in The Holy Eucharist to be the Body of Christ in our hurting world.  Jesus gets up with us, walks with us and strengthens our faith to pray and work together.  Jesus empowers us by the Holy Spirit with gifts to be used so that God's Reign of peace and justice for all God's people may be a living reality. 

May each of us answer God's call on our lives and walk in love together as Christ's Body.

Amen.


Prayers

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your
holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom
you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 7.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.230).

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one:
Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and
obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.255).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Justice.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple: Humility, Prophecy, Obedience

Today's Scripture Readings

Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)

Thus says the Lord, See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

Psalm 84 (BCP., p.707)


Hebrews 2:14-18 (NRSV)

Since God's children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Blog Reflection

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple has always been a significant one for me.  I was first introduced to this glorious Feast at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1994.  The Benedictine Monks there observe The Presentation with an actual Candle Mass of lit candles as part of the celebration of the Eucharist.  The candles symbolize the Light of Christ that comes to the House of God in obedience, humility and prophesy.  The experience is similar to what many Christians will celebrate at the Great Vigil of Easter when the new Baptismal Candle enters the church.  The light that came into the world, brings with Him a new era.  The darkness of sin is extinguished by the Light that is Christ by His death and resurrection.   We celebrate the Light of Christ's Redemption in the Paschal Mystery, and participate in it, through the waters of Baptism.   Hence the commitment of Christians to live in that Light of the Easter event, because of God's grace through Christ

One of the meanings of the Presentation is to recognize that we are now between the Nativity at Christmas, and Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent.   Here the two meanings of the coming of Christ as the Word made flesh, from the cradle to the cross find their crossover point.  

There are three main points about the Presentation of Christ in the temple that have meaning for our spiritual lives.  They are humility, obedience and prophecy.   Mary, Joseph and Jesus fulfill these by their humble submission to the law of Moses, and is confirmed through the Prophets Simeon and Anna.

In this 21st Century, the very idea of humility and obedience seem archaic, useless and things of the past.  However, the necessity of them could not be more real.

In humility, we acknowledge that we are not an entity unto ourselves.  Nor can we save ourselves without God's help.  Mary, Joseph and Jesus come to the Temple in humility, recognizing their humanity, and need for the God of their salvation.  We too, must return again and again to the God who has redeemed us in Christ, confess our sins, and accept God's mercy.   We cannot do this if we cling to a false sense of self.   Humility means we accept that God is God, and we are not.  Our true selves are found in Christ, who humbled Himself to the point of death on the Cross. (See Philippians 2:1-11).

Obedience says that we respond to God's mercy, by placing ourselves in God's hands, and serve others in the Name of Christ.  The humility of Jesus was such that the God who created us, became one like us in all things, yet did not sin, became a servant of all of us.  Even those of us who will not get up and wash our neighbors feet, or accept others who are different from ourselves.  The humility and obedience of Jesus, is our example of how to love one another, and be reminded that none of us are really above anyone else in any way.  We are all sinners, saved by God's grace.  In faith, our response needs to be one of obedience.

Lastly, is prophesy.  The Prophets Simeon and Anna greet Christ, recognizing that He is the hope that they have been awaiting.   As they both declare to have received the answer to their prayers, they also prepare Christ for the fulfillment of His life.   He has come to be the rise and fall of many.  He is the Light revealed to the nations, as God's perfect revelation of Self.   He has come to set free the marginalized, the oppressed and to give a sense of purpose to those who are left on the sidelines to fend for themselves.  Jesus has come as God's love embodied in the human person; living, serving and dying.   In God's revelation that there is no such thing as one so lost, that God is not concerned or reaching out for us.

These past couple of months and weeks, Christians have been called to a new era of humility, obedience and prophecy.  The momentous event of the ordination of the Rt. Libby Lane that continues the movement of women becoming more active in the ministry and leadership of the Church; suggests that God is calling us in humility, to be obedient and to be prophetic witnesses for an evolving faith.   

 

The violence that continues because of sexism, racism, heterosexism, gender discrimination; as well as those who are poor, sick, lonely, discouraged and/or live with mental illness; are symptoms of a deeper problem.  It is a problem of self acceptance, and a willingness to not only tolerate, but to accept and work towards living in peace with others who are different from ourselves.  It is a work we must give ourselves to in humility, and loving obedience as prophetic witnesses for a Christianity that is ever changing and continually renewing itself with each generation.

Humility, obedience and prophecy on this Presentation of Christ in the Temple, calls on us to see the Light of Christ in others around us.   To honor Christ's presence and to serve others in His Holy Name.  Without distinction, exception or excuse.   After all, which one of us is truly worthy of God's love in Christ?   Which one of us is so humble and obedient to not need God's grace to save us, so that we have the hope of everlasting life?    Therefore, who are we to withhold it from others?

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your
only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so
we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by
Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p.239).

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully
restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may
share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our
humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p.252).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany: Authority, Evil, Salvation

Today's Scripture Readings

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (NRSV)

Moses said, The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." Then the LORD replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak-- that prophet shall die."

Psalm 111 (BCP., p.754)


1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NRSV)

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Blog Reflection

My husband Jason loves the Muppets.  In the movie Muppet Treasure Island, Captain Abraham Smallet (played by Kermit the Frog), approaches in a stage coach that throws the streets in England in a chaos.  The First Mate, Samuel Arrow (played by Sam the Eagle) says that the Captain is so badly tempered that he has demons.  Gonzo, the odd one in the bunch replies, "He's got demons?  Cool!!"

Today's Gospel narrative depicts Jesus addressing an evil spirit in a man.  In His conversation with the evil spirit, the spirit knows that Jesus is the Holy One of God, and fears Him terribly.  Because Jesus is the Holy One of God, even the evil spirit obeys His voice.  Those around Jesus are amazed at the authority by which He is able to free this individual from the evil force that raged within him. 

The Biblical depiction if individuals with "unclean spirits"  is quite unfair.  Among the classic interpretations of individuals with unclean spirits is that it refers to individuals of that time with severe mental illness.  Such an interpretation has been responsible for individuals with mental illnesses to be marginalized and stigmatized.

At the center of this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word is are the themes of authority, evil and salvation.

As an individual who has experienced the abuses that can come from those who use "the authority of Scripture," I personally have an issue with those words.  I agree with Bishop Gene Robinson who wrote in his book, In the Eye of the Storm: Pushed to the Center by God,

"let's not forget that the real "Word" of God is Jesus himself. ...To elevate the words of scripture to a place higher than the revealed Word of God in Jesus Christ is an act of idolatry" ( Page 22).   

The authority figure here is Jesus, God's perfect Self revelation.  In this Season after the Epiphany, we are reflecting on the manifestation of God to all humankind through the Person of Jesus.  If the authority of Jesus is only limited to those of us who are classified as "normal" (whatever that means), then God is limited to a particular definition of persons.  As such, Jesus shows that by His authority as God's Son, He is able to address evil by name and call it out, and that He is the salvation for all those who feel that they have no hope.

Individuals who have been stigmatized due to the erroneous use of the Bible are set free by the redemption that Jesus brings; as He calls out the evil of prejudice, injustice and oppression by name.   The evil that Jesus addresses is an individual being so full of the evils brought on to him by the cultural notions and stereotypes; that the individual is deemed helpless to the powers that have seduced and reduced him.  The fear of others around him, also makes him susceptible to those powers of evil that bind him mercilessly.   Jesus came to him, called out the evil by name and set this person free.  He did not chastise the individual, assign him to an institution or declare him an invalid.  In fact, what Jesus did for that young man, was set him free to become part of the larger community as a person made whole by the grace of God.

Women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people, individuals of other races, cultures, religions, languages, disabilities etc., continue to be among those whom society and the Church make into "others" to be set aside.   Just this past week, the Anglican Communion witnessed the wonderful occasion of the Rt. Rev. Libby Lane ordained as the first female bishop in the Church of England.  The reaction from not too few Christians in various denominations and sects to the role of women in the Church, has been just terrible.  There is a wonderful podcast led by  Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, in the program All Together.  The podcast is entitled, "Sexism: The Original Sin of the Church."  I strongly encourage my readers to click here and listen to the program.  It is outstanding. 

The only way that the Church is going to address the evils within itself, is for Christians to call that which is contrary to our Baptismal Covenant out, and become individuals empowered by God for the work healing and reconciliation.  The greater acceptance of LGBT people, women and many others mentioned is so critical to the ministry and mission of the Church.  More importantly however, is for Christians themselves (as in ourselves) to acknowledge such evils within ourselves, let them go into the hands of the living God and find salvation in Jesus Christ as truly liberated and saved people.

Let the work of the Holy Spirit also lead us to be responsible and respectful people, to see that we do our part to care for the lonely, the sick, the poor, those who live in war torn areas of the world, and those right within our own communities.

May Jesus by His authority "save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.  For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are God's forever and ever.  Amen."


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in
heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of
your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Justice, The Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

The First Sunday After The Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 1:1-5 (NRSV)

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Psalm 29 (BCP., p.620).


Acts 19:1-7 (NRSV)

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied-- altogether there were about twelve of them.

Mark 1:4-11 (NRSV)

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

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

Blog Reflection

Of this Feast of The Baptism of the Lord, St. Maximus of Turin wrote:

For when the Savior is washed all water for our baptism is made clean, purified at its source for the dispensing of baptismal grace to the people of future ages.  Christ is the first to be baptized, the, so that Christians will follow after him with confidence. (The Liturgy of the Hours: Volume 1, Advent and Christmas Seasons, p.613).

Today, we celebrate how Jesus gave us this wonderful Sacrament of Baptism.  Episcopalians and Anglicans take our Baptism very seriously.  We renew our Baptismal Vows at various times of the year.   Today's Feast, Easter, Pentecost, All Saints and at any service where we celebrate Baptism, Confirmation, the Reception of New Members and we even have a Rite for the Reaffirmation of our Baptismal Vows.  These services can be found in The Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 415 through page 419.

We continue to worship in a Church and live in a society that is divided by titles and labels.  Many titles and labels do carry some truth.  In the case of the Church, we have the four orders of ministry.  Bishops.  Priests.  Deacons.  Laity.  I am a Religious and a Monk in training.  There is a vocation and an identity within those titles and labels.  However, our identity does not begin or end there.  A vocation within the Church and outside of the Church is a path by which God empowers us to walk in the way God marks out for each of us.  A vocation is a means God uses to remake us into the person that God wants us to be; but our end is not in this world.  This is why sometimes it just bothers me to pieces when Church leaders are so eager to push their "authority" claiming it to be a matter of "ministry" or "protection" as a "shepherd."  Human authority even in the Church can make mistakes. Human authority can injure and be destructive to a person's faith if that authority is used carelessly and recklessly.  A clerical mistake in the Name of Christ, is still a mistake.  A mistake in which there should be more accountability by both the Church, its many leaders and its laity.  A Church that refuses to grow out of error, is a Church that stops letting the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth.

When a Christian of any vocation uses the Bible as a means of "authority" on an unsuspecting soul, especially a confused LGBT teen, or questioning adult, the fall out is disastrous to put it kindly. 

In our society at large, we have issues of racism, sexism, heterosexism, gender discrimination, prejudice towards people who are mentally, physically and/or psychologically challenged, the unemployed, the sick, the immigrant, senior citizens, etc.  All of this happens, because we use these labels to determine who benefits at the others expense.  The rich get richer and more powerful; while the middle class becomes poorer.  Those who are sick cannot get adequate health care or Social Security, because the really well off and the powerful control those in political power.  Even Christians sense that we are privileged to the point that we can determine that Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Wiccan's and more, just should not be able to have their own opinions or practices apart from ours.  In so doing, we render the Gospel of Jesus Christ powerless, by our asserting our own control.  God, the Holy Spirit is beyond all human control and certainty.  God is greater than our smallness and isolation.  God is God and we are not.

As we celebrate The Baptism of the Lord, we can rejoice as that God has identified us.  When Jesus came up from the River Jordan, God did not say: "You are my Beloved Jew (Christian, etc) with whom I am well pleased."   God also did not say: "You are my Beloved white man."   Nor did God say: "You are my lesbian daughter, and you have no right to love who you love."   No.  In Jesus, God identifies each of us as God's Beloved; with whom God is well-pleased.  Jesus is God's prefect revelation in the Word made Flesh.  Jesus is God's human perfected in our imperfection, uplifted, made Divine and redeemed in Christ.  All of us are also God's Beloved in Christ; and with us God is well-pleased.

Perhaps this week, we can all take some time to meditate, pray and act on that thought.  It just may be the sweetest and most wonderful thing that happens in this New Year of 2015.

Amen.


Prayers

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River
Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him
with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his
Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly
confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for the First Sunday After the Epiphany/The Baptism of the Lord.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.214).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer.  p.816).

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost: The Time for Waiting and Watching is Now

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom 6:12-16 (NRSV)

Wisdom is radiant and unfading,

and  she is easily discerned by those who love her,

and is found by those who seek her.

She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.

One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,

for she will be found sitting at the gate.

To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,

And one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,

because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,

and she graciously appears to them in their paths,

and meets them in every thought.

Psalm 70 (BCP., p.682)


1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NRSV)

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, `Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, `No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, `Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Blog Reflection

It is hard to believe where we are in our Liturgical calendar.  In just three weeks we will embark on a new Liturgical Cycle.  This Year A in which we have been reading from the Gospel of Matthew is winding down.   As is the Tradition of the Church we come to that time of the Year when we focus on the return of Christ at the end of the age.  All of the Lectionary Readings beginning mid September and up to this point have been slowly moving us to where we are now.   Now we pick up the pace as we prepare to celebrate Christ the King, Thanksgiving Day and the First Sunday of Advent.

It is prophetic that this Sundays Lectionary begins with Wisdom.  I find it humbling that we are introduced to what the Lord wants us to hear begins with the feminine nature of the Divine.  It has yet to be completely clarified if God even has a gender.  The Tradition of the Church has unquestionably been leaning toward the worst kind of male chauvinism.  Is it any wonder that one of the products of the Protestant Reformation was to promote the King James Version of the Bible that omitted the Apocrypha with its references to the Wisdom of God understood as a feminine quality?   Now as the Church begins a movement towards a greater acceptance of transgender individuals, our greatest hurdle is learning to let go of how we perceive a particular gender and what stereotypes we ascribe to them.

The writer of Wisdom tells us to be prepared for Wisdom to give us a firmer grounding in life than trying to do with out Her.  She moves in the hearts of those who have answered the desire of God for us to draw closer to God.  Once our hearts and souls are awoken to the stir of the Wisdom of God within us, and we give ourselves over to all She wants to do; we will discover a new quality in our relationship with God and others.  Wisdom seeks out those who seek a deeper union with God.  A union with God that is transparent because of a growing heart of compassion for those among us who remain second class citizens.   That heart should expand with the Law of our God of mercy being written by the grace of the Holy Spirit.  This kind of Wisdom is a breeding ground for the contemplative vision of God, by seeing all things and people from God's perspective.

I recently asked a Priest. "Where does the whole idea of watching and waiting in the Season of Advent come from?"   His answer concerned me not so much with what he did say; but what he did not.  In terms of the Liturgy of the Church; the watching and waiting that we are invited to through this reading from Matthew that will lead us into Advent; comes from the Benedictine Daily Office of Vigils.  Or, as we like to say in the Episcopal/Anglican Tradition, Matins.  Matins derives its meaning from the Latin word, "Matutinum" or "Matutinae" meaning "belonging to the morning."   It retains parts of the Night Office of Vigils.  In addition, Matins includes parts of Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Prime (meaning "First Hour").   The "watch" is referred to for example in Psalm 3:5 "I lie down and go to sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me."  In Psalm 16:8 we read, "I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night."  Another example is Psalm 22:2, "O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest."  Lastly, Psalm 63:6, "When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches."   St. Benedict retained the Office of Vigils from the writings of St. John Cassian and the Desert Mothers and Fathers.  

The readings from the New Testament and the Gospel are about watching and waiting for the return of Christ.   A wise Christian will keep watch with their lamps lit because we do not know at what hour Christ will return. 

There are a fair number of touching stories that point us to what this Gospel means.  I cannot recall the name of it (or them), but in one of them a man was expecting Jesus for Christmas dinner.   As he was preparing the feast, there were several knocks at the door.  He turned each of them away (I think), saying that he was waiting for Jesus to come to dinner.   When Jesus finally arrived, the meal was not quite finished.  As the guy was finishing, he was apologizing to Jesus; who told him that He already showed up in those who previously knocked and were turned away.  Therefore what made Jesus think the man would be ready to receive Him now if he wasn't then?

As Christians we always tend to have our lamps lit with plenty of oil to fuel them; so long as we gather in our churches to draft rules or canons about who we keep out of the Church.  We keep our lights on for Bible studies that only go so far as to move us beyond our self-absorption that won't let us welcome people of other faiths, sexual orientations, political parties or doctrinal diversity.   We meet together to discuss being "pastoral" while gossiping about who is not fit for the pastoral ministry of the Church.  There is something about her/his behavior that makes us uncomfortable and nervous as to how we will be perceived.   This is often the case for individuals with mental illness issues and/or autistic conditions.  Others who might experience this would be "illegal" immigrants or those who are homeless. The lights of opportunity are lit for those who give us large cash donations, but they are set very dim when Christ comes in the poor, lonely and disenfranchised to offer only themselves.  

Today, Jesus Christ challenges all of us to remember our Baptismal Vows in our watching and waiting.  All of us are invited to the wedding banquet that is the Holy Eucharist and in service to Christ and the Church.  Each of us have gifts to offer, to be received with respect and reverence for the Presence of Christ in each other.  Christians are encouraged in this Gospel to make room in our churches; as well as in society for the inclusive Reign of God.  Our prejudices along with our silent voices in the face of injustice, violence, poverty, sickness and oppression suggest our foolishness in thinking that there is time enough to buy more oil; because Jesus certainly won't come while we are away.  

The time for watching, waiting, praying and responding to Christ is now.   May we search for union with God in a bonded relationship; that is self evident in our devotion to strive for peace and justice among all people, and to uphold the dignity of every human being.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 27. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).

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. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.818).

Wednesday in Holy Week: What Do We Make of Judas?

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 50:4-9a (NRSV)

The Lord GOD has given me

the tongue of a teacher,

that I may know how to sustain

the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens--

wakens my ear

to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord GOD has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious,

I did not turn backward.

I gave my back to those who struck me,

and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;

I did not hide my face

from insult and spitting.

The Lord GOD helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like flint,

and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

he who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries?

Let them confront me.

It is the Lord GOD who helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

Psalm 70 (BCP., p.682)


Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV)

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

John 13:21-32 (NRSV)

At supper with his friends, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples-- the one whom Jesus loved-- was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once."

Blog Reflection

Earlier this week, my husband Jason and I had a conversation together about Judas.  In this discussion, Jason and I asked the following question.   "Should we really assume that God condemned Judas?"

I have several problems with the idea that Judas might be condemned.  One of which, if it was Jesus' purpose to give His life on the Cross to redeem us all from our sins, then didn't Judas do God's will when he handed Him over for the 30 pieces of silver?   The very idea that Judas would betray Jesus fulfills a prophesy in Isaiah.  Secondly, given that we believe that God forgives all our sins through the Paschal Mystery in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, why wouldn't the soul of Judas also be saved?   The last problem with this whole thing with Judas that I have, is that I am not a believer in the Calvinist theology of predestination.   I do not personally believe that Judas was predestined to betray Jesus and his soul go to hell for it.

Among the problems we have with the traditional understanding of Judas, is that for centuries people equated mental illness and suicide with some kind of spiritual crisis.  Therefore, if Judas did in fact betray Jesus, Judas would have been condemned because he did betray Jesus and he committed suicide rather than asked forgiveness as Peter did after Peter denied Jesus three times.  

We now think and believe that mental illness does not mean that one is demon possessed.  We also now believe that someone who commits suicide, while very tragic, that their soul is most likely in the hands of our very merciful God.   Another thing we know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that when Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus most certainly still loved him.

I think we have to be very careful about making an individual like Judas into a scapegoat, while we ignore the very presence of bias and hypocrisy in our own hearts.   All of us at some point of time do something that betrays Jesus in some way, shape or form.  Yet, God forgives us through God's mercy in Christ. 

At the same time, Judas is a reminder of some very deep realities. 

All of us, including Jesus understands the tragedy of being betrayed by our best friend.  Every time I pray Psalm 41, I think that the words of verse 9 are something Jesus identified with.   "Even my best friend, whom I trusted, who broke bread with me, has lifted up his heel and turned against me."

Also, in any of the plans we make, if we are not careful we can easily be betraying our best friend, rather than helping her/him.

Before we eat at the Lord's Table tomorrow night on Maundy Thursday, we might want to reflect on how we perceive those who are different from ourselves.  Whom are we looking at, and thinking they must not belong there with us?   What responsibility are we taking for what we do, and how it affects others beyond ourselves?   What kinds of deals are we making that betray Jesus in our neighbors?

We need to reflect on the fact that the Holy Eucharist is about whom we include, not whom we justify ourselves for excluding.  It is not about us indulging in our stereotypes of others.   The Holy Eucharist is the Presence of Christ in the Bread and Wine, which represents His presence in one another.

Amen.


Prayer

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be
whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept
joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the
glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.220).

Third Sunday after the Epiphany: Whom is the Gospel Calling Us to Liberate?

Today's Scripture Readings 

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (NRSV)

All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 19 (BCP., p. 606)


1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NRSV)

Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.

Luke 4: 14-21 (Common English Bible)

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside.  He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised.  On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read.  The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the Prophet Isaiah.  He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
  because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news
  to the poor,
  to proclaim release to the prisoners
  and recovery of sight to the blind,
  to liberate the oppressed,
  and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down.  Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him.  He began to explain to them, "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it."

Blog Reflection

One of my favorite parts of a high Eucharistic Liturgy in an Episcopal church is when during the Gradual Hymn the book of the Gospels moves from the Altar to the middle of the naive to be read among the worshiping community.   It is the written word, growing some legs, moving with a body to be given a voice among common people.  There, Jesus proclaims his work of salvation and redemption among the people of God.  It is such a beautiful moment.

The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures and the Gospel have a lot to say about the word being proclaimed among and for the people of God.  The main point here, is not just that the word is proclaimed in a place so that our ears can hear.  The word is meant to transform our individual lives and overflow into the hurting world around us.

The Priest Ezra in the reading from Nehemiah is reading the Torah at the square by the Water Gate.   He is not reading it from a place of honor, he is reading it among the people who have gathered to hear it.  This is a very special moment in the life of the community.   Their past is behind them, but the work of God, lies before them.  Everyone who has come to hear, have the opportunity to respond with a wholeness of heart and life.  The mission of God for God's people is being presented, now they must respond.  Their response was in humility and a collective ascent to what God has redeemed them to do.

As we wrestle with what our response should be to the violence and oppression that is all around us, what will it take for us to give our personal and collective response?   Is God calling us to give of ourselves in a way that will transform a redeemed culture?

St. Paul speaks of the Body of Christ as an organic element.   One by which there are "many parts, but one body."  Not every part does the same work as another.  Yet, each part doing it's own particular task contributes to the good of the whole.

This sounds a lot like the classic "unity among diversity" kind of thing.   Each person brings something unique and special so that the Body which is the Church continues to build a sense of unity within.    Therefore, to insist that all people who desire to be part of the Church must exist according to a set of criteria organized by a group of people with their own prejudices ceases to be the community of the Spirit that Christians are called to be.  By insisting that individuals who are lesbian and/or gay can be Bishops, so long as they are celibate such as what the laity in the Church of England would like, is to fragment the Body of Christ.  It suggests that only when lesbian and gay people are having sex, is when we are homosexuals.  With all due respect, so now only when a straight man and woman have sex and actually conceive a baby, is when they are actually heterosexual?   I think any one who really thinks about this, will see it as some thing as unwise, let alone impractical.

The reality is, that Christ Himself never stipulated that the Church is only a house of prayer for Caucasian, straight, rich, healthy, employed and English speaking people.  Nor is it a place where LGBT people are require to surrender the essence of who they are and who they love in order to be received before they can participate in the life and ministry within the Church.   The gender of who a person loves, an individuals skin color, or any other what ever, does not classify anyone as a second class citizen in the eyes and mind of God.   Therefore, the Church is failing to be faithful to Christ if we create second classes of citizens.

In our Gospel today, is Jesus' inaugural address.   As Bishop Gene Robinson wrote so eloquently in his book In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God, the words Jesus reads from Isaiah is also the inaugural address of every Baptized Christian.   Each one of us who are Baptized into Christ Jesus, were captives to the oppression of our immaturity.   All of us have had those things we have done which have blinded us to the reality of how much we need to grow beyond our limited views of others around us.   Yet, God did not hold those against us.  In Jesus Christ, God came to redeem us out of God's love, so that as God's very own, we can claim our place as adopted daughters and sons of God.  Once again, our response here is very important.  We are being asked by God, do you also accept this call?  How serious are you about what being a follower of Jesus Christ will mean?

I have written a lot about LGBT people, women, racism and many others.  It remains a focus for me in this blog.  The recent event that took place in Newtown, Connecticut with the shooting and killing of 28 people, 20 of them children, has brought very close to my heart a matter no one is really talking enough about.

We as a society and the Church are not doing enough to help people who suffer from some kind of mental illness to obtain the services and help they need to lead productive lives.  The number of people who are affected by some kind of mental illness is not negligible.  Depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, multiple personalities, post-traumatic stress disorder and those who live with any number of these, often suffer in silence.  I just read this week an article in Think Progress of how so many people who live with mental illness do not and/or cannot seek the professional help they need because they cannot afford the services.  As people talk about doing something about dangerous weapon regulation, it is alarming to me how little the issue of helping the countless people who live with mental illness is being addressed.  The silence on this issue by our civil government is an injustice for sure.  However, the deafening silence of Christians and the Church on this important issue, is to be terribly disobedient to the Gospel.  As Christians who are called to serve those who need liberation from the prison of oppression, it is a real scandal that we are not doing more to help people who struggle with mental illness.   The people who do live with mental illness need a better response than: "we will pray for you."   They need compassionate ministers who will listen to them, walk with them through their conditions and guide them spiritually, without fear of exploitation and/or denigration.   Today's Gospel and the events of our time are calling for Christians to become concerned and active on behalf of people who live with mental illnesses.

There is a real spiritual blindness in the Church towards individuals who experience mental illness.  We would prefer to not notice them, or in fear, we turn away from them and further marginalize them by our negligence.   Now it is true, that there is only so much one person or organization can do, but, as people who are called by a radical Gospel message such as today's reading, leaving those living with mental illness to completely fend for themselves, when they are so imprisoned by conditions they have through no fault of their own, is turning the blind eye to a serious issue in our time.

As we are in the middle of a heated debate about addressing the out of control violence brought about by dangerous weapons that remain unregulated, we must commit ourselves to speaking up about the need for better health care for people who live with mental illness.   We must also ask the Holy Spirit to guide us toward a solution that has the Gospel as our guide towards repentance and conversion.

When I think of people who live with mental illness, I think of Jesus when they placed the crown of thorns on his head.  The excruciating pain that his head must have felt, and the emotional humiliation of people laughing at him while he suffers. When we ignore the needs of people who are affected by mental illness, it is as if we are standing around laughing at Jesus while he sits there with a crown of thorns on his head.    Many individuals who live with mental illness can tell you that the pain they live with, sometimes both physically and emotionally is excruciating.   Combined with the isolation and negligence, becomes too much for many to bear.  Again, this is something Christians cannot just sit by and ignore.

As we gather to hear the word of God proclaimed in our midst, let us ask ourselves what role we can play in having our sight restored to people who live with mental illness in the Church and society.    How can we influence the Church to sit up and take notice, and become active in helping people to find the freedom and compassion of Jesus Christ in their lives?

The same Holy Spirit that was in Jesus, is also with us as we discern God's call in our lives.  In this, and any other issue of our time.

Amen.


Prayers

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).


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


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).