Third Sunday after Pentecost: Welcome with Humility is Something to Celebrate

Happy Pride

Today's Scriptures

Genesis 22:1-14 (NRSV)

God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together.

When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

Psalm 13 (BCP., p.597)

Romans 6:12-23 (NRSV)

Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted,  and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.  I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death.  But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 10:40-42 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Blog Reflection

Reflecting on being welcoming is easy on Pride weekend.   Thinking about humility is not quite so simple.  Yet, without setting aside our self-center-ed-ness it is very difficult to be welcoming.   To exercise the ministry of hospitality that Jesus is talking about in the Gospel for this weekend, requires an abandonment of self to the point of seeking the common good of someone else, without the expectation of anything in return for ourselves.   We cannot do that freely and without reservation, unless we have that self-knowledge by which to trust ourselves into God's hands to guide us by the power of the Spirit.

Abraham was gifted by God to be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.  His offspring Isaac was God's proof to Abraham that God would carry out the promise made to Abraham.  Yet, God threw a wrench into the works.  God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac to see just how dedicated he was to trusting in God, even beyond the physical sign of Isaac.   As frightening and as questionable as Abraham must have been with the notion of sacrificing Isaac, he was willing to do what God asked.  Abraham was able through the gift of faith to see beyond the physical dimension of what he was about to do, to see that God was more important than the son of his own flesh and blood.   God honored Abraham's faith and recanted.  God saw the faith of Abraham and provided another way for him to honor God with an acceptable sacrifice,without Abraham sacrificing his son.

All too often the debate about whether or not homosexuality, bisexuality or transgender behavior is moral; people get too weighed down in the details to see the tremendous gift of faith in LGBTQ people.   The women and men who struggle with their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression within the context of their faith, families, communities, schools, work places, medical care, marriage, etc. are determined to be productive people giving and adding so much to society and the Church.  They come with gifts of artistic abilities including craftsmanship, administration, well thought out philosophy and personal maturity that can add so much to any place in which they dwell or work.   Though many have been so injured by religions and spiritual communities, they still believe that humankind is capable of reaching a greater potential for inclusive justice and an equal sharing of the goods present in our world.   The faith that is present can bring belief to where there is doubt.  Hope to where all seems hopeless at the point of despair.  My Christian Faith and personal experience as a gay Christian, tells me, that LGBTQ people are full of life to be lived, and love to be shared that goes well beyond whether who they sleep with, or who they really are; as written into a judges ruling or legislative bill. 

Paul's letter to the Romans is commonly used as a ploy to bring condemnation to LGBTQ people.  The words of today's reading from the New Testament is one of the most commonly used texts to suggest that "the wages of sin found in homosexuality is death."   Evangelists are quite merciless about using that as a scare tactic for LGBTQ young adults attending a Christian College or University.   However, the message in this text, is broader than the issues of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.   This Epistle Reading from Romans calls those who have decided that the Christian Faith is their religious and spiritual expression is about an obedience that accepts the Cross on which Jesus died for our sins.  Obedience to Christ and His Cross calls us to respect the dignity of every human person.

It is quite possible to be zealous about helping a person to decide to become a Christian and still violate that individual's dignity or not even be conscious of it.  It is for reasons such as this, that I personally oppose sending missionaries to places to convert Jews, Muslims or other religious practices in the world.  If you ask me if I think sending missionaries to other countries feed the hungry, care for the sick to show that we are personally concerned for their humanitarian needs; I am in all agreement.   If in the course, people freely decide to become a Christian, that is one thing.  But to do missionary work for the sole sake of converting Muslims, is something I cannot in good conscious condone.  

On the other hand, with regards to the expression of human sexuality straight or gay, this reading from Romans fits very well with the Gospel.   If we rethink things and answer these readings today with a determination to respect the dignity of every human person. and that we should never use (nor condone using) another person for the sole purpose of satisfying ourselves at the expense of who such a person is; then we are living the meaning of these readings.  We are to remember that each and every person is the presence of Christ in our midst.  Jesus must be welcomed and given a cup of water to satisfy His thirst to be received without prejudice or exploitation on our part.    

To live and/or act with humility on this Pride Sunday is to welcome Christ and to serve Christ in each other with a consciousness of God's presence with reverence.  A reverence demonstrated by the arms of love outstretched on the Cross, that welcomes everyone within Christ's embrace of all human persons without distinction or self interest.  The wages of the sin of exploitation and discrimination brings about the destruction of an individual's dignity and the meaning of community.   Human dignity and seeking peace and justice on their behalf, requires us to welcome them with our eyes and minds on Christ Jesus to bring about healing and reconciliation for all persons.

Jesus is not asking us to do everything perfect.   He is not even wanting us to understand Him without question.  Jesus is wanting us be willing to see past our own prejudices and to see the face of God in those who are different from ourselves.

The final verse of Hymn #603 in The Hymnal 1982 reads as follows:

Thus freely loved,
Though fully known,
May I in Christ be free
To welcome and accept his own
As Christ accepted me.

On this Pride Sunday, may our work, our celebrating, our parades and parties draw us to a deeper relationship with God in all the diverse people, places and things in which the Spirit's presence is found.

Amen.


Prayers

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

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).

Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBT Pride.  We are, each of us, created in your image lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered, alike.  Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal.  Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community.  We ask this in your Name, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  (I have been told this prayer can be found in the Book of Occasional Services).

 

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: The Progression and Regression of Justice in One Week

 A Very Happy Pride Sunday to All

May We Give Thanks and Praise As We Celebrate God's Inclusive Love

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21 (NRSV)

The LORD said to Elijah, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place."

So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Psalm 16 (BCP., p.599)


Galatians 5:1,13-25 (NRSV)

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Luke 9:51-62 (NRSV)

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Blog Reflection

Today's readings are all about moving forward and looking back.  God calls us in the here and now to follow Christ by listening intently to the Gospel.

In the reading from Hebrew Scriptures, Elijah calls Elisha to share in his work as a prophet.  Elisha wishes to return to bid farewell to his folks.  Instead, he destroys everything that he used, left it all and became a companions to Elijah.   The least literal approach to this reading is to not get caught up in the slaughter of the animals, but to look at the narrative as a whole and what it has to say.  This reading is saying something about giving up things, and moving forward without all the baggage we once had.   There is a kind of death in letting go of all that we used to have and do.  I think that is why Psalm 16 is the appropriate response to what we read in 1 Kings.   As we leave behind what we once used and did, we call out for God's protection and embrace God as the only thing that really matters.

The reading from 1 Kings speaks about Monastic simplicity.  If we are to follow Christ effectively, and in a way that we will listen to God more clearly, then it is necessary that we become detached from all that keeps us from hearing God speak to our hearts.  As a Monastic who is connected to the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict, I am dispersed.  I live in an apartment with my partner.  I am not sequestered physically in an enclosed Monastery.  As Companions, we carry the cloister of the Monastery in our hearts.  So, how do I (we) separate ourselves from the things that keep us from listening to God?   By viewing things through the lens of The Rule of St. Benedict.   In Chapter 31 Qualifications Of the Monastery Cellarer vs. 10, Benedict writes: "He (the Cellelarer)  will regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar." (RB 1980 p.55).    In other words, the best way to detach from things that weigh us down, is to understand that we own nothing.   Everything that is given to us is on loan from God, and should be respected as such.   In so doing, even this computer through which I write these words is not something I own.  It is on loan to me, and therefore I must use it with reverence for God who has so generously provided it.  If I live as a dispersed Monastic by remembering that everything in our home is not owned by either of us, even if we gained it by our labors, then I am able to be detached myself from things, so that I can more clearly listen to God.  I can render God the greatest gift of praise and thanksgiving that God loves me to provide what I need to use, so that I may do God's will.

I think this point has something to say about how we regard other people.  St. Benedict also regarded people as Eucharistic Vessels.  In other words, Christ is present and should be reverently respected in each person.   Simplicity also requires us to leave behind those attitudes and behaviors rooted in prejudice and injustice towards those who are different from ourselves.  It requires me to think of my partner, my Abbot and all others I may come into contact with as Christ Himself.   St. Benedict tells me to "welcome all guests as Christ" (RB Chapter 53).   Therefore, no thing, no person is so detestable, so low on the priority scale that I might arrogantly negate Christ's command to love others as He has loved me. (See John 13:34).

The points made by 1 Kings are also made by Jesus in our Gospel narrative according to Luke.  But, Jesus takes things even one step further.

Jesus in so many words is telling us that everything that could possibly need a place to rest has it's residence of solace.  However, Jesus Himself is without a place to rest his head.  He is indeed talking about not really having a physical place to call home.  However, that is not the only thing Jesus is talking about here.  He is also letting us know that Jesus present in the marginalized and oppressed have no rest from violence, injustice and bias.  This is most definitely the case with the Supreme Court's decision this past Tuesday to gut the Voting Rights Act opening up the flood gates for further discrimination on the basis of race.  The States that are no longer required to get clearance from the Justice Department have already begun moves to place restrictive measures on people of color and immigration status to prevent them from exercising their rights in our democratic process.   Racial prejudice suffered a major regression this week through this decision.  We cannot and should not in good conscious ignore the ramifications of this decision.

On the other hand, we saw a huge victory this past Wednesday when the same Supreme Court struck down the section of DOMA that prevents the Federal Government from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples in states where it is legal.  In addition, they struck down Proposition 8 in California that bans same-sex marriages there.  The same Court that struck down the part of the Voting Rights Act that affects many minorities, also struck down the parts of the laws that discriminate against LGBT people.   In short, LGBT people gained rights, while racial minorities lost big time.  This just shows that in terms of LGBT equality, our nation is miles ahead, while the issue of equality on the basis of race was taken way back.   If we celebrate our gains as LGBT people and at the same time not express our outrage and commit ourselves to ending racial prejudice, our work for justice and equality is done in unparalleled hypocrisy.  

Jesus also gives us the warning about the dangers of holding ourselves in a looking back position.  If we intend to follow Jesus as faithful disciples, then we must exercise discretion so that in moderation we can discern what we hold on to, and what we let go of.   There is a cost to following Jesus, there is a letting go of our old selves, while at the same time we remain who we are as adopted daughters and sons of the Most High.

As individuals who identify ourselves as beloved of God as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer people, we spent a lot of time discerning what to do with our closets of death and deception.  We painfully looked at our relationship to God and others around us, but most importantly with ourselves.  Many of us found ourselves at a major intersection.  If we were to accept ourselves as LGBT people and it would mean our faith could not support it, we just gave it up. Others of us looked at the same situation and came to the sure truth that God loves us as we are, and we can found places of worship or other religious expressions that compliment who we are.  Regardless of what track we chose, we are all still in the race for justice, equality and hope for others who cannot be who they are for whatever reason.

As we walk through this Pride weekend, reminding ourselves of those brave people at Stonewall 41 years ago, we must also head the call of Jesus to let go of what is behind us, and following Him. We are right to celebrate our many achievements, but we must also remain vigilant about many others who are not able to enjoy equality and the ability to work towards their full potential.   In our celebrating and parading, it is so important that we commit ourselves to continuing what we began with our eyes fixed on the goal that remains unclaimed.  By God's grace and help, we will get there.

Amen.

Prayers

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


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).

Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBT Pride.  We are, each of us, created in your image lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered, alike.  Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal.  Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community.  We ask this in your Name, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  (I have been told this prayer can be found in the Book of Occasional Services).

Pride Sunday: Celebrating Love and Faith

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16

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 6:1-13 (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 4:35-41 (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

Once while I was in college, a theology professor said that the purpose of the ten commandments was to help us understand what our problem was.  He never quite got around to telling us exactly what that problem was.  Even now, I tend to think it was one of those moments when we the students were to answer that question for ourselves.  Each of us could have named a particular problem, but does that really answer the question of why we need the commandment to love God, our neighbors and ourselves?

Our reading from Hebrew Scriptures is a love story between Jonathan and David.  One in which David loved Jonathan more the life itself.  Later as the narrative unfolds and Jonathan is killed, the pain of separation from one that David loved so much, is too much to bear.  The wound is deep.  The grief, all too real. 

One of the many things I have come to believe is that the human heart is something that it is not only impossible to try to control, in terms of who we love and how we love them, it is lethal to our overall health.   It is damaging to our physical, mental and spiritual wellness.  The world is full of enough tragedies in nature, sickness, crime and death that over work our human emotions.  Asking an individual to just not allow themselves the feelings of loving another person, is like telling the heart not to pump blood through one's body.

It is easy to call Pride Sunday as the continued call to justice and equality.  The ongoing discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Church and society continues to institutionalize itself in political campaigns and sermons.   Pride is our opportunity to celebrate our diversity as people who realize that we are all on this earth for a very brief period of time.  During that time, we all need to love someone, and be loved by someone.  It doesn't matter whether that love shared through romantic and sexual means is straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or that our gender is one that is different from the gender assigned to us at the moment we were born.  Pride celebrates the many ways in which our differences that divide us across political, social, religious and legal lines, are really there to unite us all as people who are here because of love, with love as the destiny to which we are all moving towards.

As Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as the Alpha (the beginning) and the Omega (the end), and the one through whom God reveals God's Self, we know that love was and remains the reason why we have the hope of salvation.  As Rev. Patrick S. Cheng writes in his book: From Sin to Grace: Discovering Queer Theology:

Christ is not only the Alpha (that is, the source of our creation), but Christ is also the Omega (that is, the ultimate goal of our existence).   Grace, therefore, can be understood as becoming divine. (Introduction, p. xiii). 

Cheng suggests, that any where we encounter the transforming power of Christ within relationships that becomes a moment for us to grow in grace, and encounter Christ is a moment that the Incarnate Word is helping us to be come more like the Divine.   LGBT people in our relationships, friendships and our sexual selves, can encounter the Crucified and Risen Christ, and be empowered to grow in the unmerited favor of God. When this happens we are connected to the Divine Revelation of the Holy One of God.  The mystery of God, becomes a living and interactive reality in the here and now.  It is transformational.  It is authentic. It is living.  It is beyond human explanation. It is the mystery of God, revealed in humankind.  The perfect revelation of God's Self in Christ.

In the Gospel today the disciples find themselves on a stormy sea.   While the waves are pounding against the boat, Jesus is sound asleep on the cushion.  The disciples wake Jesus and he wakes up, gets up and calms the storm.   Jesus then calls them out, by asking them if they have no faith.  From a glance, it is easy to take the side of the disciples.  They were afraid of drowning.  Storms are scary.  Yet, what Jesus is challenging them to do, is to believe that even the mighty winds and raging seas with all their destructive power are no match for what God can do in the lives of those who dare to believe in something stronger than nature, mightier than time and earth.

As we LGBT people continue to brave the storms of discrimination and violence, often done in the Name of Jesus, we may tend to think that God has either fallen asleep, or not even concerned.  It is way too easy to cast faith aside.  Feeling like to have faith in God is pointless, if religious groups led by NOM and the Family Research Council's are only going to keep hammering away at LGBT equal rights.   However, as Jesus rose in the middle of the storm on that windy day, so Jesus is alive and working with and through us.  Often in ways we cannot see, or understand.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty.  Shall say to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.  God shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter, and from the deadly pestilence.   God shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings; his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler."  (Psalm 91: 1-4, BCP, p. 719).

God is close to all of us as we face the reality of how abusive the Christianist right is, as God continues to shield us by calling us to holiness and hope in the One who ultimately can and does save our souls.   We are pursuing righteousness in calling on the leadership of churches, governments (national, local and international) to see LGBT people as deserving of equal protection under the law, and given the same opportunities as any one else.   Though we may lose a campaign, God does not abandon us, nor stop loving us.  Even when we are mad as hell over ballot referendums to take away marriage equality, or State's pass laws allowing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, God is still with us, loving us, and holding on to us.   God identifies with our pain and suffering.  God cries when we hurt.  God celebrates with us, as we achieve successes in the work of justice, equality and inclusion.

As we celebrate this Pride Sunday, may we also take time to thank God for making us LGBT.   May we also thank God for all of the people who told us that God loves us as we are.  May we take time to praise God for those wonderful bodily sensations that tell us that we are being loved by God, through another person's touching, caressing, kissing and the joining of our bodies together.   May we celebrate that no matter what Christianists say or do to us, God has affirmed us in Christ, and continues to love us today and for ever.

Amen.

Prayers

                  Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBT Pride.  We are, each of us, created in your image lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered, alike.  Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal.  Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community.  We ask this in your Name, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  (I have been told this prayer can be found in the Book of Occasional Services).

                 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, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230).

                  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, Book of Common Prayer, p. 833).

Pride Sunday: Second Sunday After Pentecost: Time to Get Beyond the Welcoming to Healing and Reconciliation

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 10:40-42 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Blog Reflection

This past week has been an amazing week for marriage equality with all the support and even the controversy in New York.  We have heard all the pro's and con's of marriage equality through the media from secular news services to religious organizations and their leaders.  The LGBT communities in New York and all over the nation had our eyes fixed until late Friday night marriage equality was passed by the New York State Senate by a vote of 33-29. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law at 11:45pm EST. 



Whether we are talking about the intensity surrounding the topic of the bullying of LGBT and Questioning youth in public or private schools.  Even if we are talking about the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell or the Defense of Marriage Act.  If our conversation about sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is around the subject of ex-gay groups or ex-gay survivors.   All of these subjects concerning being LGBTQ have one thing in common.  There are Christianist groups and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans, Episcopalians, Orthodox, Lutherans etc who are determined that any sexual orientation that is not straight must be opposed on all fronts.

Any individual who's body is one gender while she or he is another and seeks to change it.  Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans, Episcopalians, Orthodox, Lutherans etc have made it their work to stop them and their rights at no cost. Even basic Christian Charity.

This past week, in an effort to stop the passage of marriage equality the Roman Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York offered six reasons why marriage equality for LGBT people must not be recognized.  In all of his reasons, he denigrates and insults the very nature of who LGBT people are.  His reasons are baseless on facts and based on fears that are not real.  The so-called champion of "defending the dignity of all human beings" goes south when talking about LGBT people and the opportunities for us to be married.

In the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC the Parish of St. Luke in Bladensburg has decided to join the Roman Catholic church over the issue of ordaining women to the Priesthood and the ordination of LGBT Clergy and Bishops. 

In today's Gospel, Jesus is making the case that whoever welcomes others, welcomes Jesus. 

How can we think about that on this Gospel on Pride Sunday?

LGBT people all over the world are gathering to celebrate and remember that 42 years ago those first individuals at the Stonewall Inn in New York City decided they had had enough of police brutality and it is time to act and speak out against injustice and oppression.  There will be parades, festivals, dances, fireworks, lights, speeches and in many churches special services marking this event.  St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota will be one of them.

While Pride celebrates a historical event, that event in many ways has been rewritten.  Rev. Irene Monroe wrote last year about how African American's, Hispanics and many individuals of diverse races have been "bleached out" of the history books about Stonewall.   The actual history of Stonewall also tells us that the riots were started by drag queens and transgender individuals.  Gay and lesbian folks came into the picture later as the movements for equality progressed.

In the LGBTQ communities we continue to see the wounds within and outside due to religious, social, economic and political oppression.

Families torn apart by the Christianist movement over the sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression of another member of their family.  While the LGBTQ communities continue to struggle over not only our own self esteem or battles with depression and anxiety, we are also faced with the issues of racism, sexism and other kinds of biases within our own communities.

The welcome that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel for this Sunday goes beyond the welcome.  It is an opportunity for healing and reconciliation.   Jesus is calling for Christians to welcome with open arms, hearts and minds those that are different from ourselves.

The welcome goes beyond looking at our biases towards another person for physical appearances and behaviors that we may or may not understand.  It is recognizing that every person is unique.  Every individual comes with needs.  Each person has qualities that make her or him "fearfully and wonderfully made."  But one thing about every person, is that we are all thirsty in some way.

LGBT individuals of all cultures, genders, body types, races, economic class, religion or lack there of is an individual person who comes thirsting for love, acceptance, opportunity and a deep desire to not be alone in the world.  LGBT people are not interested in "recruiting children" or even molesting them or singling them out.  When an LGBTQ youth takes her or his life because of bullying and harassment from families, friends, misguided religious zeal and social bigotry, every LGBTQ person is rightfully concerned.

When LGBTQ individuals continue to experience discrimination and even violence on the basis of her/his sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, race, economic class, health status, immigration status, we like any other level minded person is concerned.  And if we aren't, we need to think carefully about our attitudes and goals in this world.

It is time for the Christian Church to get beyond welcoming and start being the agents for radical healing and reconciliation for this and many other groups of people that continue to experience the onslaught of bigotry and cruelty that is not only a sign of Christ that he did not have, but a real insult to the essence of who Jesus Christ is and was about.  It is way past time for Christians to look past doctrine, dogma and ecclesiastical authority and committees and start acting to welcome and give a drink of compassion and generosity that goes beyond the kind hello coming in, and the over used "we are glad you were here today" self given excuse for having done nothing to better an LGBT person's future.

While a good welcome is a start, it should be a step past the door of genuine or even not so genuine greeters to asking "how can we serve you who come to us thirsty, so you leave here knowing you have had a drink that has quenched your thirst and given you new reason to embrace Jesus and our community with life and love again?"

As we reflect on this Pride Sunday, let us also recognize that we all have a part to play in the ministry of welcome and radical healing and reconciliation.  Not only of LGBT people, but of all who are still looking for someone, some where who sees them not as a label or description or a classification.  But understands that it is Jesus who comes asking to be welcomed, healed, reconciled and given the opportunity to change our lives as well as those we welcome for the better of all.

Prayers

Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBTQ Pride.  We are, each of us, created in your image, lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer a like.  Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal.  Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community.  We ask in your Name, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.


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

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

 

Pride Sunday: Living Our Lives and Faith, Can It Be Done?

One of the most interesting bumper stickers the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community has made over the years says: "Diversity Is Our Strength."  This statement seems to be saying that we recognize that within the LGBT Community there are many different people facing similar issues, yet finding strength amidst whatever is not the same about everyone who is LGBT.  Interestingly enough, diversity while it is a strength of the LGBT Community, it is also an area where we are constantly struggling to strengthen our acceptance of the diversity of what makes us who and what we are.  This is why celebrating LGBT Pride is so important.  It is the occasion at which everyone who represents or supports those who are LGBT comes together to make their statements as one people calling for justice, equality, understanding and an end to prejudice and violence. What else happens during Pride?  Everyone who is LGBT and/or supports those who are such as PFLAG comes out and makes a bold statement about who we are, and that we are settling for nothing less than to be known as individuals who are as much a part of society as anyone else.

The readings for this weekend are a call for all of us to consider carefully the seriousness of our answer to be honestly who we are, respect everyone else and be willing to follow Jesus Christ in all that we say and do.  As diverse as the LGBT Community is there are two parts of our Community that are consistently at conflict with each other.  Our lives as LGBT people and our faith and morals as Christians.  The religious right does not want us to mix being LGBT with being a Christian, while many in the LGBT Community have a lot of trouble with those who still want to be Christian.  There are tensions among those who want to live a more promiscuous lifestyle or even a polygamous style and those who want to be more monogamous and committed to one relationship.  Within the LGBT Community and those who chose to be part of any Christian Community is the struggle to be part of a predominantly LGBT church group like the Metropolitan Community Church . Then there are others who want to be more integrated with others such as being part of the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church or the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American to name a few.  Within the last few years groups like the Gay Christian Network (GCN) and The Evangelical Network (TEN) have been creating some community for those who want a more Evangelistic style of worship and spirituality, but still be LGBT.  There are also Pentecostal LGBT churches now. There are churches that make room for LGBT people of color and/or other cultures and languages.   Last but not least, there are those who are part of very unwelcoming Christian Communities, but keep themselves very secretive.  Such individuals do not like a lot of the theology or teaching promoted by many pro-LGBT churches, so they simply go to their respective churches and choose to ignore the anti-gay rhetoric of their communities and just smile and keep to themselves.   Yet for all of us who are LGBT and Christian or if you prefer Christian and LGBT there are friends around us that will literally give us hell for being LGBT and part of the Christian Faith.

As LGBT Christians what is the price we are willing to pay to be who we are and practice what we believe?  How do we define ourselves as LGBT Christians?  What is our interior call to being people of faith, while being diverse individuals who are LGBT?

I want to begin by taking a look at both our first Reading and the Gospel, and then I will tie it in with the second Reading to see if I can provoke some thought..

The Old Testament reading from 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 and Luke 9:51 to 62 we are confronted with people being called to follow God either through the work of Elijah as in 1 Kings or Jesus as in Luke, but have some very important decisions to make. It should be mentioned that the people Jesus was calling to follow him, were the Samaritans that were rejected by the religious authorities of Jesus' time. There was a great deal of prejudice towards the Samaritans to the point that the Jewish people were discouraged from associating with them.  In both 1 Kings and Luke the people being called to serve are asking if they can simply follow the culturally right thing to do, before they follow the one calling them.  I will start by answering the easiest question first. In both situations it is not that taking care of one's folks is not important or a wise thing to do.  What is more important is the urgency of the invitation and are they ready and willing to follow this path that will lead to a new way of life in which there are much more important things to take care of.   How might this related to LGBT people or even Pride?

Way too many people have some very legitimate reasons for staying in the closet.  Their families.  Sick or unwell relatives.  Careers that can really be ruined because someone announced or acted as if they are LGBT.  Many individuals like myself who are out, can find it difficult to be patient with those who are playing straight for the benefit of their own situation.  How quickly many of us forget what it was like for us to walk around scared should someone find out who we really are.  The decision to disappoint a family member who really thinks we are wonderful, but makes anti-gay jokes all the time is a difficult decision to make.  Yet many of us have reached that point where we just cannot hide who we are any longer.  The more we stay tucked away, the more difficult it is.  For many of us the easy way "out" is to stay "in".  Or to live a life sort of like don't ask, don't tell.  Yet the more we do that, the more unhealthy many of us can become.  Contrary to what many religious right folks might think, the longer we stay tucked in our closets safe from "all of that confessing by which we become healthy people" (See Dr. Mel White in For the Bible Tells Me So), the less we are truly following Jesus and allowing him to touch and speak through our lives.

But then, once we do come out and should we make develop as healthy and proud LGBT people, but be people who follow Jesus Christ, now we find ourselves in conflict with others who are LGBT.  If you are like myself, looking to date or be in a relationship with someone who is LGBT and Christian is no easy task.  Yet, once we've found that someone, so many pieces of our lives fall into place.  Yet, with that decision to be LGBT and Christian it means that we might very well be outcasts again in one fashion or another.   The road that Jesus is calling his followers to take in Luke 9:51 to 62 is a way that will lead Jesus and all of his disciples to the Cross.  The Cross is where we sacrifice all that is so precious to us and accept God's will, even when it hurts or even kills us. We may loose the respect of religious authorities or even our best friends. Yet, because we are following Jesus Christ who is God's perfect revelation, we believe and know that it is only through the Cross that we can experience the resurrection and find new life in God's amazing love and grace.

And how do we tie in the reading from Paul's letter to the Galatians 5:1, 13-25?  This is that famous reading where Paul talks about the "flesh" and the "Spirit" being against each other, and that huge list of things that if we do them, we will not enter the kingdom of God.  This can serve as a great clobber passage when used by those who read the Bible literally.  Today's Out in Scripture offers terrific insight for a different point of view.

Galatians 5:1, 13-25 brings memories of both treasures and traumas. Paul begins (and ends) with this wonderful proclamation of grace. Yet, as soon as many people hear the word "flesh" (verse 16), they default into a legalistic and punitive theology. We are reminded that "flesh" was Paul's shorthand for the lower, carnal mind — a life driven by fear rather than love. Galatians 5:14 clearly reminds us that the fulfillment of the law is to love your neighbor as yourself. When all else is hung on this anchor, we hear it more responsibly both for ourselves and for others. It is not freedom just to follow every sexual urge, or to fly off the handle at every offense or to be controlled by strong drink or drugs. That does not mean that we should ignore every offense, or deny our sexuality or never have a drink. Free, embodied people consult deeply with their bodies as they relate to other bodies, with the God who is embodied in Christ.

So how are some good ways to blend everything together as we celebrate Pride Sunday?  As LGBT Christians we are not just creating and following a Gospel that we have tweaked to say what we want it to say.  We are looking to follow Jesus Christ as LGBT people, because we recognize that left to our own devices we might forget that our human soul still needs a companion to help us along the way in life.  We are fully capable of failing to live our holy LGBT lives in a morally good way.  We can still drink too much, engage in sexual activity that is not life-giving or healthy and we can fail to be prudent in our decisions.  Although our sexual orientation is not sinful, how we use it can be.  Homosexual activity between people who honestly love each other and intend to love each other is good and holy.  Homosexual activity that seeks to use someone for selfish reasons is destructive.  When a bisexual person is open and honest with the people in their relationships so that everyone sincerely struggles, accepts or rejects what is or is not their thing is a good thing, and can lead to constructive relationships.  When husbands and wives keep their sexual orientation a secret and sleep around behind their spouses backs, because they cannot have an honest conversation can be very destructive.   Open and honest communication with respect for each other is good and holy.  Conversation that is designed to cheat, lie and keep things hidden is disastrous.  When we sin, we need to confess and be forgiven.  Needing to be forgiven and asking for God's mercy is the right thing to do. Not going to God with all that we may have done wrong and trying to do it all ourselves, is already a hell.  It is a hell that a good confession can get us out of, but it is up to us to take that step and ask for God's mercy.

LGBT Pride celebrates God's love for everyone.  We are all called to participate in the person and mission of the Gospel by loving God and our neighbor by the gift of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.  Like all gifts we still need some guidance so that we can use our gifted abilities to make wise and holy decisions, so that we are seeking the common good of other people.  The call to follow Jesus to the Cross is difficult.  That call means we will have to make hard choices about how we can serve God in what ever capacity we are at.  No two people will make their decisions the same way.  But there is no situation that God cannot and will not be with us in, unless we choose to keep God out of our lives.  As LGBT Christians may all of us today decide that we will follow Jesus and love God, our neighbors, our partners, significant others, families and friends in good and holy ways.  May we continue to work for a Church and society of inclusion, equal justice and lively diversity so as to recognize God in all the ways in which God reveals God's Self through us.

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

Loving God, bless us as we gather to celebrate LGBT Pride.  We are, each of us, created in your own image lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual and transgendered, alike.  Hasten the coming of your kingdom when all are welcome and all are equal.  Anoint us with the balm of hope and send us your healing Spirit, that we may be known as a just and unified community.  We ask this in your Name, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for Pride Sunday as used at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

For some other thoughts on Pride please check out the article "The Spiritual Significance of Pride" in the Episcopal Cafe Lead.