Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Whose Is It Anyway?

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 33:12-23 (NRSV)

Moses said to the LORD, "See, you have said to me, `Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, `I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."

The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, `The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

Psalm 99 (BCP., p.728)


1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NRSV)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Blog Reflection

Another week has passed us with some amazing history being made before our eyes.   Alaska, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming have been added to the number of States where the freedom to marry for same-gender couples is legalized.   The news that came to our attention this week about the remarkable, albeit small progress in the Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome, concerning language about LGBT people, divorced Catholics, couples cohabitation and birth control; was no small pill for the more conservative Bishops to take.  The continuing developments at General Theological Seminary.   Last, but certainly not least the Ebola crisis.  For all of these intentions and many more let us pray, Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.  Amen.

Here we are, with these Bible passages to challenge us in our relationship with God and one another.  

Among the many things to be learned from those who are contemplative, is that God is closer to us through what is going on in our daily lives than we think.  Contemplative prayer is not about seeing things as if there is some great mystery to be solved.  It isn't based on whether or not the mechanical details of how to do it can be understood let alone learned.  Contemplative prayer happens because of God's movement in the human heart, through the every day things that happen in our lives.  In contemplative prayer we are given a vision of the things of this world from God's perspective.  As we listen more and more for the Holy Spirit speaking and moving through those things and places that seem far removed from anything having do to anything about God; we discover God speaking to us in a way that the heart can receive only through faith.

Jesus was being challenged by those who are curious and looking for a way to stump Him.   They saw things going on around Him, and they had an issue with His popularity.   Their case for where Jesus' authority came from was met with a parable about who really is obedient?  The one's who say no, but follows through with doing what is right, or the one who said yes, but did nothing.  Some might interpret the parable of the wedding feast as Jesus trying to get His opponents to think a bit more carefully about what their motives are.  In the challenge to Jesus in this Gospel Reading, Jesus' opponents are trying to make Him trip up using something that could make those who are following Him closely, reject Him as someone who threw them under the bus when the chips were down.  Jesus' answer winds up disappointing everyone.   The issue isn't what you should do, but whose is it in the first place?

This Gospel Reading has a special meaning in the arena of social justice politics.   A few years ago, a group of social and theological conservatives penned the Manhattan Declaration.   Those who wrote it and signed it said that they would go so far as to break the law to make abortion illegal and/or marriage equality from becoming legal.  They cited this Gospel passage saying that marriage and the life of the unborn are "God's" and not "Caesar's" as in the governments to affect by their civil authority.    Since that time, we now have 32 States with legalized marriage equality.  One couple of two lesbians have been together 72 years, and they were finally able to be legally married in their home state.   There are countless stories of couples who are weeping with joy, because they can finally marry the person they love with rights, privileges and responsibilities that protect and provide for their future.  While those who want to take those newly legalized rights away in the name of their understanding of what the Bible "says" about homosexuality; those things that are God's to give to these women and men are healing wounds.   They are opening many eyes that could not see the beauty of God's love expressed through a life of commitment and self-sacrifice between two people of the same gender in a life-long marriage.

In Psalm 115 we can sing "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your Name give glory; because of your love and because of your faithfulness."

Christians have the invaluable opportunity to use all the good things God has given us to do immeasurably more good in this world.   We can make an impact that can make the Gospel a transparent and authentic reality through the radical work of hospitality, healing and reconciliation.   The grace of God has placed so much into our hands that we can use to honor and glorify God in all things.  Perhaps this came through a new relationship, a new job or a different place to live.  Our perspective may be limited because of what we cannot see.  Yet, through those things that elude our senses, faith can become the light that shows us a new path, through which we can know God more completely in new and fresh ways.   Our response to the call of God on our life to give back what is God's is the first step we can take that will help those who are looking for evidence of the presence of God in our lives, find God there.

Let us all pray for one another.  May all of us be thankful for what God has given to us, and respond with the desire to give it back to God.   May an important part of our response to God's graciousness be to give those who have no voice, a voice in which to speak up for justice, equality and peace for all people.   May we all give God the glory for all that God does in and through what belongs to God in the first place.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed
your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your
mercy, that your Church throughout the world may
persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.  (Proper 24: The Book of Common Prayer. p. 235).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer. p.826).  

Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Listen to the Beloved: Tell No One What You See

Today's Scripture Readings

2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent."

Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be silent."

Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)

Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV) 
 

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Blog Reflection

"I cannot wait to get home to tell my (mother/father/sister/partner/husband/wife) the incredible thing I just saw or participated in."  Every time I have an experience that is so wonderful and exciting, the very next thing I want to do is run home to tell Jason about it.  I love to call my mother back in Massachusetts to tell her any good news I might have gotten.  When we have had a wonderful experience the very next thing we want to do is tell someone else.  We want them to share in our joy and interest.  In a way, we want to tell them to appear impressive and knowledgeable. As generous as it might be to tell the good news to everyone, it can also be a form of demonstrating our being self-centered.  I know, I do this often.

Peter, John and James saw something so incredible, that most people just would not believe, unless they saw it with their own eyes.  Jesus being transfigured before them was an experience that made Peter say: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."   The fear of something awesome had gripped these men.  All they wanted to do was stay there and be caught up in the splendor of Jesus glorified, with the voice saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!"

This is an event in the Gospel narratives that can be told and read.  It cannot be understood or explained.  The mystery of it can be talked about.  The transfiguration event cannot be described as an actual historical event so that there will be no doubt in at least some individual's mind, that perhaps it is just a story told.  We can tell a story.  We do not have the power over someone else to accept it as true or relevant to her/his life.

What is most important is not whether or not these events took place in the exact manner in which they are described.  Instead, the imperative is to consider carefully the truths they contain.

God, though mysterious and seemingly separate and alien to humankind, is very close to us.  The awesomeness and wonder of God as Creator, Servant and Life-Giver is not so remote that God is detached from our human experiences.  God's transforming grace is present in this world by God's perfect revelation in Jesus the Christ.  The revelation of God in Christ is made possible and available through the Holy Spirit.  It is through faith in the grace of God, that we are able to encounter Jesus in our every day lives.  Jesus the Beloved, interacts with us as God's beloved people.   We are redeemed through the merits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We are empowered by God the Holy Spirit to be witnesses and missionaries of God's salvation and Light in a world and time of darkness, greed and an obesity of power driven priorities that are designed to keep the marginalized where they are.

This past week, we witnessed a terrible display of male privilege being used to exploit and dominate the issue of contraception for women.  In the midst of a debate that is really about respecting the rights of a woman to chose what is best for her in terms of if or how she will be an incubator for male domination, the issue of religious freedom has been defended with a counterfeit version of God's compassion and inclusion.   The Bishops of the Catholic church with their insistence on "protecting all human life at every stage" once again advocates for an unborn fetus at the expense of the life of a mother. A mother who may have been the unfortunate victim of rape, incest, poorly informed sexual education, and of course the male preoccupation with himself at the expense of women.  This past weekend there was an incredible discussion on the issue of the Catholic church, contraception and religious freedom on State of Belief Radio, by the Inter-Faith Alliance. 

In actuality, what is at issue here is the freedom to choose what religious point of view works for each individual person, made by one group of people for the rest of us.   What is at issue here is the dignity of women and other individuals being empowered or having that power taken from them by people who have their institutions best interests at heart.  Not the best interests of women and other individuals who's bodies and reproductive systems are affected by their recklessness.  What is being discussed here is the question of what religious perspective will the State adopt, by which they will impress upon everyone else by means of who's version of the law.

The State of Virginia is very close to giving the State the power to force women with unwanted pregnancies to undergo a mandated invasion of her body, by way of an ultra sound, to determine whether she has the right to decide what is best for her.  Once again, male privilege is being used to legislate a woman's reproductive health care.

The same is true for the issue of marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  This past week the Governor of Washington State signed marriage equality into law.  Immediately, anti-equality organizations began collecting signatures to place a referendum to over turn the new legislation before the LGBT citizens of Washington have the opportunity to take advantage of their constitutionally protected right to marry.

The New Jersey legislature passed marriage equality in their State, only to have it vetoed by a Governor Christie who wants the issue to be put before the voters of New Jersey.  Once again, giving heterosexuals the power to decide that they benefit at the expense of those who are not.

The State assembly of Maryland passed marriage equality.  At their backs is the National Organization for Marriage, The Family Research Council, and GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum ready to take those rights away.

Why do you suppose Jesus told Peter, James and John to say nothing about what happened until after he was raised from the dead?   What is the likelihood that they didn't say anything?

The Gospel narrative of the transfiguration comes after Jesus was telling his disciples: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it." (Mark 8: 34b-35).     I believe that the succession of these two Gospel events are there to tell us something important.

If we want to really be followers of Christ, we must be willing to lay aside our own power, our need for prestige and control, and put God at the center of our lives.  Not just in a matter of personal and public proclamation.  But as a matter of living our lives in such a way that God's glory shows through our actions and attitudes.  Jesus is asking Peter, John and James to not tell anyone about these events, because he still has much to teach them by the way of the example of how Jesus lived his life.  Jesus had yet to teach them by way of parables.  They needed the lesson about being a servant rather than insisting on who should be on Jesus' right or left.   They needed to witness Jesus givin sight to Bartimaeus, and eventually go the Jerusalem to face his crucifixion and resurrection. 

There are times when we think that just because we have had one incredible experience of God, that we are to twist everyone's arm to think and behave as we think they should.  However, that is not the message of the Gospel.  That is not the fulfillment of the great commission of Matthew 28: 18-20.   This is not an invitation to make the Christian Religion into a Faith by which all others are to be "reduced" to our religion in order to find salvation.

We are being asked to listen to what God is saying to us as God's beloved, through God's Beloved Son Jesus Christ.   We are asked to not tell someone what we have seen, but to live the example of the One who taught us that God's love is unconditional and all-inclusive.  We are to show radical hospitality and participate in the ministry of reconciliation.  Each day and moment we have an opportunity to be the Light of God that we have experienced, by the way of arms and heart outstretched to express the love of God that is within each of us.   To allow God's grace that is gracious, merciful and totally receptive to all people.  God is present in diversity, and gives new life even through those who do not recite the Nicene Creed or say the same sinner's prayer that we do.

God's loving power is experienced through the physical and romantic love of two people of the same sex, in as much as it is made visible in the loving sexuality of straight people. 

God embraces the outcast, the wanderer who feels like their life is on the brink of giving up, the sick, the poor and those who think that no one in the world loves them.  They too are beloved of God.  They can know this when we love them. 

As we prepare to journey into Lent, from the ashes to the Cross and the empty tomb on Easter Day, let us become God's witnesses in our attitudes and behaviors, to show that our worship of Jesus Christ is authentically life-giving.


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).


Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).


O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us,
in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront
one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work
together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 824).

 

A Reminder of Our Inaugural Address

Luke 4: 16-21 (NRSV)

When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ²⁰And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

So how is the Church doing with the words of Jesus' inauguration address?  This Gospel reading is often used at Confirmations, Receptions of New Members and the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.   It is chosen for those services as a reminder to the candidates and those who are witnessing at this Liturgy that to be a Christian is to see our role in the ministry of Christ and the Church as beginning with this inaugural address in Luke's Gospel. 

Our problem with this Gospel reading is that it challenges our comfort zones.  All of us really enjoy the coziness of our Pandoras Boxes.  When we only surround ourselves with those who make us comfortable then we do not have to step outside of what is familiar and face our insecurities.  As the Church struggles with how to be more inclusive of women, LGBTQ, people of other races, cultures, abilities, religions, languages and abilities etc, all of us struggle with our "need"  to make policies to keep those who make us uncomfortable from participating in the ministry of the Church.  At the heart of Parish and sometimes Diocesan wide policy is a lame ass excuse for prejudice and scapegoating.  

Yesterday we in the Twin Cities Metro area heard the news of the local Catholic Archdiocese telling a local Catholic School to ban pro-gay editorials from their school newspaper.  One of the editorials claimed that the information in the Archbishop's DVD against marriage equality was "unsubstantiated."  The other was an opinion piece entitled: "The Life of a Gay Teenager".   Michael Bayle in his blog post "The Wild Reed" quotes Nick Coleman:

But the saddest part 0f this situation is that school officials also censored a personal op-ed called “Life as a Gay Teenager” written by a BSM student who recently came out as gay — all the while giving lip service, so to speak, to Catholic doctrine that says “Men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”

Yeah, respect and compassion! Except for that kid in the corner who tried to write a personal essay about his own struggle with suicidal thoughts in the on-going effort to be honest about his identity in a hostile environment of rejection and repression (here’s a link to the censored op-ed). Un-effing believable. The church continues to shoot itself in the foot. But it’s the kids who end up wounded.

I would add that the saddest part of this is how an Archbishop claims to represent Jesus Christ makes use of his authority to place LGBT people into the captivity and oppression of spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse.  As such the witness to the goodness and mercy of God is lost, because of one individual who just cannot let go of his own prejudices so that others can experience the freedom that comes with being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Instead of using his office to bring justice and inclusion, Archbishop Nienstedt imposes shame, exclusion and fear.  What truth might we refer to from the Bible to help us understand why this is such an injustice?

1 John 4: 18-21 (NRSV)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. ¹⁹We love^* because he first loved us. ²⁰Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters,^* are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister^* whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters^* also. 

We commemorate today Margaret, Queen of Scotland. James Kiefer writes:

Margaret (born c. 1045) was the grand-daughter of Edmmund Ironside, King of the English, but was probably born in exile in Hungary, and brought to England in 1057. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, she sought refuge in Scotland, where about 1070 she married the King, Malcolm III. She and her husband rebuilt the monastery of Iona and founded the Benedictine Abbey at Dunfermline. Margaret undertook to impose on the Scottish the ecclesiastical customs she had been accustomed to in England, customs that were also prevalent in France and Italy. But Margaret was not concerned only with ceremonial considerations. She encouraged the founding of schools, hospitals, and orphanages. She argued in favor of the practice of receiving the Holy Communion frequently. She was less successful in preventing feuding among Highland Clans, and when her husband was treacherously killed in 1093, she herself died a few days later (of grief, it is said).

I am impressed with the work of Margaret of Scotland, though we can see that she like all of the Saints we commemorate, she struggled with her own humanity.  So all of us in the Church regardless of what walk of life we come from or are going to, must acknowledge that we need God and the help of others to live holy lives.  Likewise if we want to be reaching for holiness, we need to be willing to lend a helping hand to those who live in captivity and oppression.

How can we fulfill the call of Christ's inaugural address in spite of all that is imperfect about us?  How might we be missionaries to bring about justice and equality for those who are still second class citizens in the Church and society?  How can LGBT people help bring about freedom for the many captive young people who are oppressed by religious systems that continue to silence them when they tell their stories? 

Each one of us has been called to God's Holy Spirit to bring freedom from captivity and oppression, to give sight to those who cannot see the injustice of their attitudes and behaviors.  We will face opposition from those who want to silence the messengers.   Just because we speak a message people do not care to hear, does not mean we should stop speaking and acting.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, page 236).


O God, who called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne That she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your church and love for your prople: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate her this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Margaret, Queen of Scotland.  Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 683).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, page 826)

Anyone looking to purchase the books mentioned in this blog can also order them from the Cathedral Book Shop of St.Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Email Susan at Bookshop@ourcathedral.org. 

Read and Think Carefully.

Luke 12:32-48 (NRSV)

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

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

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

This Gospel challenges us to be about the work of the Gospel.  Which means calling people to repentance.  Changing hearts and minds to think more like that of Jesus Christ "who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross.  Therefore God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 6-11).   


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

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

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

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

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