Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost:We Must Use Our Time Wisely

Today's Scripture Readings

Daniel 12: 1-3 (NRSV)

The Lord spoke to Daniel in a vision and said, "At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Psalm 16 (BCP., p.599-600)


Hebrews 10: 11-25 (NRSV)

Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

"This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,"

he also adds,

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.]

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Mark 13: 1-8 (NRSV)

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" Then Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?" Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, `I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs."

Blog Reflection

The reading from Daniel records what was taking place during the period when the Hellenization by the Jews in Palestine.  They were enduring oppression of not only their land and culture, but also the practice of their religion.   The Seleucid kings dominated the Jews by not allowing them to worship in their temples or synagogues as the Lord, their God had commanded them.  It was believed that the Archangel Michael would come to their rescue them by striking down those who were oppressing them, so that they would regain what they had lost.  The victory to be gained was not only a restoration of justice for all who lived, but the promise of new life for those who already died. 

There are a couple things we must be very careful of when applying this to the society and Church of our time.

1. We should not look upon the Jews as deserving of the treatment they got.  No religion or group of people brings upon themselves the destruction of their land or religion because God punishes them.   Therefore, it is inappropriate to take an attitude of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or look down upon Atheists or Pagans. 

2. We should also not use this as a means to uphold our own self-righteousness to promote only our religious or social point of view. 

What we can take from this that is very applicable to us, is an opportunity of faith.   Evil, oppression, violence, abuse etc, is something that God cares very much about.  Though it may appear to us that God is not concerned with what is going on in the world, God is very much interacting withe progression of human history.  God is "not standing afar off and hidden your face from us" as we pray in Psalm 10.  When things are happening in our own communities, churches, families and around the world that we become aware of, that awareness is God speaking to our hearts.  God is calling on us to be in prayer for those experiencing injustice, poverty and sickness, and moving on our hearts to take an interest in the welfare of others.  The message of the Gospel is for us, yes.  But, it's impact does not, nor should it stop with us.  The work of living and sharing our faith through interceding and working on behalf of others, is how God works to end inequality and exploitation. 

As for us Christians, the hope of redemption was accomplished because of Jesus Christ.  Through our common Baptism, we have shared in the death and resurrection of Christ (see Romans 6).   The Paschal Mystery happened so that Christians could look to Jesus as our Savior, who destroyed our slavery to sin.   We no longer have to accept religious based discrimination, when Christians use the Bible to promote and act on bias.  Christ changed our world by being God's perfect revelation and showing us how to reach out and become an inclusive community for God.  God's saving work through Christ our Redeemer, found a way to include us in the Body of Christ.  We should be accepting others so that God can also incorporate them among God's beloved people. 

The Gospel reading is one that gets so abused by preachers trying to scare people to prepare for the second coming of Christ.  Yet, two weeks from today it will already be Advent, the season to prepare for the coming of the Reign of Christ, as we move towards celebrating Christmas.  What is the significance of this Gospel on the second coming?

On one hand, this reading is not about the second coming.  Jesus is predicting the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE by the Roman General Silva.   It is believed that the writer of Mark would have been in Syria between 60-70 CE and would have recorded events as they were told to the author.  The destruction of Jerusalem would have appeared like a second coming to the early Christians, and to the Jews of that time it would have been very apocalyptic.  It is quite possible that these are not the words of Jesus as they were said, but, recorded as such for their dramatic emphasis as to what Christians need to be doing.

On the other hand, this Gospel should certainly help us to think about what our priorities are as disciples of Christ.  If our priorities are waiting around for every war or rumor of war to start so we can scare the whole world into thinking Christ is coming, to convert everyone, we are wasted precious time and missing valuable opportunities. 

I remember back in 1991 when the first Gulf War began.  I was a student at Eastern Nazarene College studying Church Music and organ.  The days and weeks following the initial attack of the United States on Bagdad, Iraq, I found myself staring at more books in the student book shop about Iraq being the location of former Babylon and the possibility that it was the last war on earth before Christ returned.   In those books there were countless claims that everything from abortion, to homosexuality and the secularization of our culture was why the war was started.   I also heard some claim that the war was the punishment of God upon a country where Islam was the religion of that nation.  

The days and weeks after September 11, 2001 we heard of a few preachers say that the attacks happened because of the wide acceptance of women as ordained clergy in certain denominations, abortions and homosexuality.   Because there was a take over of the secularization of our culture from what was a "Christian nation" God punished America with the terrorist attacks that killed over 3,000 Americans.

Both of these are examples of what I call, Christians wasting their time on nonsense and useless fear tactics, while the real work of the Gospel remains unfinished.

What Jesus is calling those who follow him to do, is to use the time we have to establish God's Reign.   We are to work to end injustice, oppression, violence and care for those less fortunate than ourselves, because God is present in all human beings.  Especially those who suffer and are in need of a better today.   An improved life today, so that they may have some kind of future where their human dignity is recognized and defended.   To end the exploitation of people for the benefit of the powerful and wealthy.   A place where working for  peace with and for everyone is more important than making peace with oppression.  Where we address issues like the bullying of LGBT youth and single mothers. 

Today, while we have so much going on around us that suggests discrimination and attitudes of self-righteousness, Jesus calls us in humility to recognize who God is, and who we are not.  We are not God, but we are redeemed by God in Christ.  In thanksgiving and good stewardship, we have the privilege and responsibility to use what God has given us to benefit not only ourselves, but others who remain vulnerable and helpless on their own.  

May our week of Thanksgiving bring us closer to recognizing Christ in one another, and doing all we can to honor Christ in those who are in need of love, compassion and our generosity.

Amen.


Prayers

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, p. 236).

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).

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

 

 

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Give Thanks with Our Whole Being and Heart

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 17:8-16 (NRSV)

The word of the LORD came to Elijah, saying, "Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth." She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.

Psalm 146 (BCP., p.803)


Hebrews 9:24-28 (NRSV)

Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Mark 12: 38-44 (NRSV)

Teaching in the temple, Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Blog Reflection

If we are to get the whole picture of what is going on in our lectionary of readings today, we must have a momentary refresher course on the place of a widow in the times that both of these narratives were written about. 

A widow was more or less understood to be on her own.  Not only was she without her husband due to death, but she was also left to fend for herself.  Women in the Bible were already second class citizens for the most part.  They were portrayed as the "weaker" side of the human race.  Before marriage a woman is considered the property of her father.  After marriage she was the property of her husband.  A woman who would have been married and now widowed, would have been property once owned, now abandoned.   They were among the poorest socially and economically.

What we see happening in our readings today, is God reaching out the lowest of society and giving them hope and purpose within the Reign of God and their communities.   Elijah asks the widow to feed him with what little she has and through her giving of what she had, she is given more than enough for her and her son. Her being a widow is not an opportunity for the Prophet to exploit or further demean her, but invites her to participate in the helping of another, and so receive from God all that she needs to sustain her life.

In the Gospel reading, we see almost the opposite.  While those in the highest of political and religious stature seek public recognition for their outward piety, it is the poor widow who gives of all she has out of humility and thanksgiving to God.  Not because she wishes to be noticed.  The widow fulfills the first of the beatitudes in Matthew 5: 3.  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."   The one who gives of themselves out of thanksgiving; while recognizing that God is the one who ultimately gives us all that we need, witnesses to a holy and unselfish love.  A love that seeks union with God out of heartfelt desire and a total giving of self, forsaking prestige or power.

It is a dangerous thing to interpret this Gospel too literally.  We are not being told here to empty all our bank accounts and dump all of our possessions, and if we don't, we are not living a life of commitment to God.  Ee are being challenged to detach ourselves from all that keeps us from being thankful to God as the one who gives us all that we need  All that we are fortunate enough to have is given to us by the Holy One, without whom, we would not even have the breath of air in our lungs.  As God gives all things for our use and good stewardship, so God asks of us to give of ourselves for the sake of God and others around us, the very best of ourselves for the establishment of God's Reign in this world and the next.

As lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people, who we are and those whom we love are not our sole property.  Nor are they given to us for the purpose of wasting them, or letting them so rule our being that we do not use them out of love for God, neighbor and ourselves.   While our sexuality has something to do with our identity and how we love others, it is not for the express purpose of doing what we please, with whomever we please.  We still have to honor God, others and ourselves with a sense of self respect and a total willingness to give of ourselves for the good of others.  Whether that be through our relationships with our spouses/partners, those in our own communities, work places and as best as we can, our own families.  That healing and reconciliation can take place through our activism as we celebrate the many victories of this past week's election, by which marriage equality passed in three states, and a constitutional amendment in Minnesota was defeated.   It can also happen as we try to reach across the isle even to those who continue to reject us and cause us much grief, to help us find a common group from which we can begin to heal our communities and families.

We will not be able to accomplish many of these things without time spent in prayer, seeking God's help.  We will not be able to do miracles, per say, nor will we change people's minds over night.  Nor does God expect us to.   What we can do, is offer our whole selves to God out of thanksgiving for the tremendous gift we have, because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression and from that point offer ourselves to the service of others who are different from ourselves.  We can reach out to the poor and destitute, to share our time and resources to help bring about a better tomorrow for all of us.  We can care about what is happening to not only LGBT people, but also immigrants, people of other races, economic conditions, health conditions, in other religions and so forth, to find some kind of path towards being a more inclusive society and Church.

Let us all pray for each other, that we may look for ways that we can give thanks to God with our whole heart and being.   May we search for those opportunities to help bring about the Reign of God by  looking to bring healing and reconciliation through our prayers, our concern and work on behalf of those who are marginalized and oppressed.  God's Reign is one that welcomes everyone to give of themselves in some measure, and no one is rejected or excluded.  This means us.

Amen.


Prayers

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

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


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, p. 826).

All Saints Sunday: Saints of All Kinds Search for Union with God

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-9 (NRSV)

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,

and no torment will ever touch them.

In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,

and their departure was thought to be a disaster,

and their going from us to be their destruction;

but they are at peace.

For though in the sight of others they were punished,

their hope is full of immortality.

Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,

because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;

like gold in the furnace he tried them,

and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.

In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,

and will run like sparks through the stubble.

They will govern nations and rule over peoples,

and the Lord will reign over them forever.

Those who trust in him will understand truth,

and the faithful will abide with him in love,

because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,

and he watches over his elect.

Psalm 24 (BCP., p. 613)


Revelation 21: 1-6a (NRSV)

I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them as their God;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away."

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end."

John 11: 32-44 (NRSV)

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"


Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Blog Reflection

Every person born and living has the potential to be a saint.  Those of us who celebrate our Christian Faith by the Sacrament of Baptism with in the Anglican Tradition know that we believe in the world wide Communion of Saints that include those presently living and who have gone before us.   We also believe that sainthood can be found in others who do not share in our faith.   The world is a better place because of individuals like Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lamas and many other holy people. 

Sainthood may not even be a matter of faith at all.  Many who would call themselves atheists, often live a life of service to others in various ways that put many Creed praying Christians to shame.  

For those of us who do celebrate our Faith as Christians, we have the opportunity to live as saints by our acknowledgement of God, and God's saving work in Jesus Christ and presence by way of the Holy Spirit.  The Scriptures challenge us to consider the possibility that salvation is not only a matter of faith by itself, but it expresses itself in prayer and work on behalf of those who are poor, oppressed, displaced and hurting so that they can experience some kind of healing and reconciliation.  

St. Benedict in the Prologue to his Rule challenges those who who come to Listen with the ears of their heart, and to run (not walk) with a sense of urgency while we have the light of life, so that the darkness may not overtake us (John 12:35).  As we are told who will dwell on God's holy mountain, we are also told "What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace."  The Christian has an understanding that what it takes to be a saint in the here and now, is because God has placed a desire for God with in our hearts, and it is our responsibility and privilege to respond to that desire.

In the Christian Tradition, by way of Reason, those who follow the Christian model of sainthood are those who with Christ bring new life, hope and purpose such as he did in today's Gospel.  The raising of Lazarus tells us that Christ gave new life and hope even to those who are dead.  In Christ, even the dead have a face and a name.  They are not forgotten by God, even if we do not necessarily remember them.  So, I think All Saints Sunday is a great day to ask ourselves the question: If Jesus saw the dignity of Lazarus while he was dead and in the grave, exactly what business do Christians have to "strive for peace and justice for all people, and uphold the dignity of every human being?"   There is a reason why our reply to that question in the Baptismal Covenant is "We will, with God's help." 

All of us because of our immaturity by way of sin, need the grace of God to grow up to know that we can seek union with God in whatever capacity we live in.  Whether we are LGBT or straight and of a single gender in body and mind at birth, of another race, religion, health status, wealth status or just taking things one day or one moment at a time, we all  have the opportunity to encounter God in our own lives and through the lives of others.  It is with God's help that we will find God and love God, and serve God in others.  

At times our problem is that we think we know how God should come to and/or respond to us.   We want to determine God's image in our own minds and hearts, including by the way of our own prejudices and behaviors.  God comes by way of God's will, calling us to conform to God's image of God, ourselves and others.  That is why God can and is present in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people. God blesses their union with each other in their romantic, emotional and physical relationships.   When anyone of any sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression seeks to love God in another person, with unselfish love and compassion, God is there loving and being loved.   Placing anti-marriage amendments on ballots to suppress that love because of our selfish attitudes towards others or arrogance as to think that we know God better than LGBT people or anyone else does, is nothing more than idolatry of ourselves and our own understandings.  

Maybe as we go forward this week, we might ask for God's help for us to be open to who and where God will search us out.  To see in every person, including ourselves the potential for sainthood.   To pray and receive the Holy Spirit so that we too may be a person that is life-giving where there is darkness, destruction, death and discrimination.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one
communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son
Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those
ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love
you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for All Saints, Book of Common Prayer, p. 245).

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your
faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant
that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly
promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.  (Proper 26, Book of Common Prayer, p. 235).

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).

Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost: Christ Welcomes All to Come Closer to God

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 31: 7-9 (NRSV)

Thus says the LORD:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,

and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;

proclaim, give praise, and say,

"Save, O LORD, your people,

the remnant of Israel."

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,

and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame, those with child and

those in labor, together;

a great company, they shall return here.

With weeping they shall come,

and with consolations I will lead them back,

I will let them walk by brooks of water,

in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;

for I have become a father to Israel,

and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Psalm 126 (BCP., 782)


Hebrews 7: 23-28 (NRSV)

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Mark 10: 46-52 (NRSV)

Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Blog Reflection

There is the saying that "You can get more bees with honey, than you can with vinegar."  How might that be broken down to say some thing important to Baptized Christians?

We can attract more to the Person of Jesus Christ through love, compassion and inclusion than we can through hate, rejection and exclusion.  People might find the truth about the Christian Faith to be more appealing, if Christians lived that truth with an openness of heart and mind, than closer to the freezer in the fellowship hall and thinking only about ourselves. 

The Gospel reading today gives us a picture of how those who claim to be followers of Jesus, place stumbling blocks between him and those who might like to get closer to God.

A woman who has had to get a divorce from her abusive partner (male or female), needs to come closer to God to grieve and heal.  But, she cannot do that if she has to be worried about being rejected from Holy Communion just because she is not living with her spouse, and/or her sexual orientation.  

An older man, whose only son who has just taken his own life, does not understand how God could have allowed him to not see the signs of his sons depression before he did the unthinkable and irreversible. He cannot come closer to be healed, if he is hearing people in the church gossiping about what a failure of a business man he was or is.  

Our actions and words can play a huge role in whether or not people feel as if they can come closer to God.

Why is it that Christians at times, make God difficult to come close to for others?

I think it has a lot to do with how we understand our Baptismal Covenant and what it means.  When we promise that with God's help, we will: "seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving [our] neighbor as [ourselves]", and to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being," we are promising to God and our church communities that we will do just that.  It means that we will seek out God's presence with respect and reverence within each person.  It means that we will look for God to help us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to strive for that justice and peace, while respecting the dignity of every human person as someone created, redeemed and being renewed in the Holy Spirit.   We are not given permission by God to exclude people from coming out of the side lines, to find salvation and purpose in God's perfect Self revelation in Jesus Christ.  The lost, the broken, the poor, the LGBT, the woman who needs or has had an abortion, the Atheist (whether or not they believe in God or want to believe in God, or end up believing in God or not) are not for us to pretend as if they are not important or without hope.  None of them will even begin to comprehend the possibility that the "Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness" (Psalm 103, 6), if we are the ones constantly telling them to "keep quiet".

When St. Benedict tells us that "the love of Christ must come before all else" (RB 4, 21, p 183), he is calling on us see Christ in others, and love him there as he is, not as we would want him to be. We are to open wide the doors of our hearts and minds to "love my God, who is in my neighbor" (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).  This kind of thing is extremely challenging, when the person we are dealing with is rude, disoriented, totally rubs us the wrong way or seems like they could care less.  Yet, some how, God is there in that person, and now that we have found God there, we must seek how we can love God there.

If at times, we would get ourselves out of the way between Christ and others, and see him there, and work with him as he is in others, the Reign of God would actually flourish in the deserts where there is no water or fresh vegetation.  The raging brush fires of hate driven anti-marriage equality amendment campaigns would be understood as the grave injustice that they are.  The suffocating heat wave of targeting Muslims, Jewish people, and Native Americans to "make sure they think, worship and behave as we do" would be relieved by the cool, gentle and soothing breeze of inclusion. We might recognize and honor the reality that every person finds their own path to connect their lives to the Divine Being in ways that we cannot and should not try to control.

How is God calling us to allow people kept on the side lines to draw closer to God through Christ?

How does our Baptismal Covenant challenge us to see beyond the "isms" of our divided society and Church, so that we may acknowledge with reverence the presence of God in all people, and respect their dignity?

I think we would do well to offer for ourselves and others a prayer that I find inspiring.

Father, pour out your Spirit upon your people,
and grant us a new vision of your glory,
a new experience of your power,
a new faithfulness to your Word,
and a new consecration to your service,
that your love may grow among us,
and your kingdom come;
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.
(Prayer to the Holy Spirit, Saint Benedict's Prayer Book for Beginners, p.120).

Prayers

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, p. 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, p.100).


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 the Neglected, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).

Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost: Faith and Service are Inseparable

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 53: 4-12 (NRSV)

Surely he has borne our infirmities

and carried our diseases;

yet we accounted him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

and by his bruises we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have all turned to our own way,

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

By a perversion of justice he was taken away.

Who could have imagined his future?

For he was cut off from the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people.

They made his grave with the wicked

and his tomb with the rich,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain.

When you make his life an offering for sin,

he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;

through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.

Out of his anguish he shall see light;

he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.

The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;

because he poured out himself to death,

and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 91 (BCP., p. 720).


Hebrews 5: 1-10 (NRSV)

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,

"You are my Son,

today I have begotten you";

as he says also in another place,

"You are a priest forever,

according to the order of Melchizedek."

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Mark 10: 35-45 (NRSV)

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Blog Reflection

By now the political mudslinging has just about everyone fatigued from all the negativism and competition.  Whether on the television, radio, internet, just driving on the roads with bill boards, lawn signs and bumper stickers in our faces no matter where we go.   Billions of dollars being poured into the campaigns for President, Congress, State and local offices, on many sides of the political debates. 

In today's Gospel it appears as if Jesus found himself present for a political debate.  James and John wanted from Jesus the decision concerning who would sit on his right or his left.  They are seeing the Reign of God as a matter of power, prestige and a position of dominance.   Jesus replies to them with the reality of what God's Reign is really about.  Jesus is the Reign of God who came to give those who had been shut out, a place at the table.   Jesus not only called his followers to be servants and to give their lives, he was the very example of what he was calling others to do in his Name.   Jesus was not afraid to take off his clothing, wrap a towel around his waist, kneel down and wash the feet of the disciples.   Jesus reached out to the woman who wept at his feet, and dried them with her hair, and showed her that the mercy of God was greater than her social status and her sins.  Jesus saw the value of a tax collector called Matthew and invited him to be part of those who serve others so that God's Reign might be more present in the world.  Even though our sins put Jesus on the cross, he had the faith and selfless love to say: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to see that our faith and service are inseparable from each other.  What we believe, needs to be visible by what we do.  All of us are redeemed by the Grace of God.  We have been invited to partake of the Presence of God in worship, prayer and Sacrament, but we are also empowered to be an example of Christ in our world.  In our jobs, families, communities and relationships.   This means that our prejudices and violent rhetoric that could serve to exclude and oppress others who are different from ourselves, is out of line with what Jesus calls us to in the Gospel today.

This past Friday, we celebrated Spirit Day, when we take a stand against bullying of LGBT youth.  Too many young people who are questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, find it so difficult to tell their families, friends, church community leaders and any one close to them.  This fear is not without its legitimacy.  In addition to these and many other challenges, they face being bullied for their actual sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, or even if they are perceived as LGBT.   While concerned parents and citizens seek to ask local school districts to create stronger policies addressing the bullying being experienced by LGBT youth, other individuals who call themselves Christians or even "true Christians" feel it is their duty to the "infallible Word of God" to allow bullying.   "If only they are bullied, the just might change or want to be changed."  Such is their attitudes.

Sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression are not the only issues by which people are bullied.  People of different faith backgrounds, or no faith at all, individuals of different races, cultural backgrounds, physical/emotional and developmental challenges, wealth status etc are bullied by politicians, religious folks and common people every day.  Hard working, middle class people are being bullied by corporate CEO's to vote for the candidate that best supports their CEO's billion dollar profits.   Veterans who have fought in our wars and come home with injuries, PTSD and multiple issues are ignored by our political and social systems.   People who are poor and in need of local social services are losing the agencies they need, because the public dollars are being spent on billion dollar ad campaigns and so forth.  

Jesus invites us today, to see beyond the rhetoric of what it means to be a Christian.  He calls upon you and me to know that our discipleship is about being willing to see past our prejudices and see an opportunity to serve Christ in others.  Whether by our vote, our worship, our volunteer services or even our occupations, as Christians we have been given an example of inclusive and unconditional love in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Rather than look for the greatest of glory by being God's Son, Jesus "does not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8, NRSV). 

How is God calling us to be servants?  

How are we answering that call?

What might we do so that others may know that our faith and service are inseparable?

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, Book of Common Prayer, p. 235).


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. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).


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, p. 826).

St. Luke the Evangelist: May Christians Be More About Healing and Reconciliation

 Today's Scripture Readings

Ecclesiasticus 38: 1-4, 6-10, 12-14 (NRSV)

Honor physicians for their services,

for the Lord created them;

for their gift of healing comes from the Most High,

and they are rewarded by the king.

The skill of physicians makes them distinguished,

and in the presence of the great they are admired.

The Lord created medicines out of the earth,

and the sensible will not despise them.

And he gave skill to human beings

that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.

By them the physician heals and takes away pain;

the pharmacist makes a mixture from them.

God's works will never be finished;

and from him health spreads over all the earth.

My child, when you are ill, do not delay,

but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.

Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly,

and cleanse your heart from all sin.

Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him;

do not let him leave you, for you need him.

There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians,

for they too pray to the Lord

that he grant them success in diagnosis

and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p. 804)


2 Timothy 4: 5-13 (NRSV)

As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Do your best to come to me soon, for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

Luke 4: 14-21 (NRSV)

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he 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, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

'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,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And 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. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Blog Reflection

Today is one of those days through which there are so many messages going back and forth in the news, politics and the Church.  There is confusion, pain, the struggle for justice and equality, a fatigue from all of the campaigning, and a fair amount of anger.   Every one is experiencing the urgency of the moment to seeing what can be done to get on the path towards securing some kind of certainty for the future.  Yet, there is still great hope, with a sense of cautious optimism.

We commemorate a special holy day on this feast of St. Luke, the evangelist and physician.  He is considered the patron of the sick, doctors and hospitals.  He is also the patron of the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict.   St. Luke is recognized for the focus of the Gospel attributed to him, by which the focus of Jesus is the ministry of healing and reconciliation.  We can certainly derive that from the Gospel reading chosen for today's feast.   Jesus proclaims the reading from the Prophet Isaiah "fulfilled in your hearing" after he reads it aloud from the scroll in his local synagogue.   Jesus views as his mission and purpose to bring good news to the poor, release the captives, give sight to those who are blind and to allow the oppressed to go free.  What Jesus read and accepted as his mission, is the work of all baptized Christians.   As we are incorporated into the Body of Christ, which is the Church, we vow in our Baptismal Covenant to "seek and serve in Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself" and "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being" with God's help (see The Book of Common Prayer, p.305).

The care of the sick in St. Benedict's monasteries was so important to him, that he devoted Chapter 36 to the sick in The Rule.  Benedict instructs that: "Care of the sick must rank above and before all else so that they may be served as Christ who said: "I was sick and you visited me" (Matt 25:36) and, "What you did for these the least of my people you did for me" (Matt 25:40)."

What role of healing and reconciliation, might Jesus be calling us to today?

The Episcopal Church is experiencing a time of great difficulty, because we have taken a position with the Holy Spirit with regards to the reception of LGBT people for ordination as Bishops, Priests and Deacons, creating marriage rites for same-sex couples, non-discrimination policies for transgender individuals, and the ordination of women.   Recently, the Board of Discipline along with the Presiding Bishop have written a Certificate of Abandonment for the Bishop and Diocese of South Carolina.   

Earlier today, the Second Circuit Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.  

What direction for healing and reconciliation might God be calling the Episcopal Church to, with regards to the inclusion of LGBT people, and those who do not agree?   What role might God be calling on LGBT and allied Christians to help the Diocese of South Carolina and it's Bishop recognize their role in healing and reconciliation?

The issues at hand are not without their challenges.  The challenges are as much with the pros as they are with the cons.  The individuals on both sides of the debate are just as passionate about their call to serve Jesus Christ and the Church.  How can everyone remain at the table and talk, allowing the Holy Spirit to do her work of healing and reconciliation?

Christians have an unfortunate history of using the Name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible, the Sacraments to drive wedges between people of diverse opinions and ways of living.   Just recently the Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis told the mother of a gay son, that she could go to hell if she does not embrace the teaching of the Catholic church with regards to marriage equality.   Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings and Herbert Chilstrom, a former Presiding Bishop in the ELCA have responded to the Roman Archbishop's statements and push to pass an amendment that would limit the freedom of same-sex couples to marry the person she/he loves.

I think the Gospel attributed to St. Luke gives us an image of Jesus as allowing to go free those who are oppressed.  As part of the ministry of God, through Jesus for healing and reconciliation, we have a picture of a compassionate Holy One, who through grace comes to those who are sick with despair and a feeling of separation and isolation.  Jesus welcomes each with the love of our Creator to graft all of us into the vine that is Christ, so that we who can do nothing without him, may experience the healing and reconciliation that can only come from God.  Jesus does not use the Name of God to exclude, to act in violence or prejudice.  He comes as the perfect revelation of God, to welcome, receive, soothe and restore all who are oppressed and experiencing injustice to their right place as one created, redeemed and loved by God.  To call each of us to play our part in the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation, by seeing in each person, Christ present: coming to us, sick, wounded, lonely, excluded and in need of God's mercy.  As Jesus has made us part of the Body of Christ, he empowers us by the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church, to help graft others onto the Body of Christ so that God's ministry can gain more people and become the greatest vehicle of diversity and compassion, that the world could ever see and know.

Is Jesus calling us to use his Name to be more about the work of healing and reconciliation?

How are we answering that call?


Prayers

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician
to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your
Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power
to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Luke, Book of Common Prayer, p. 244).

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and
follow us, that we may continually be given to good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 23, Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).

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

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

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Marriage Equality: It is very Good and Holy

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 2:18-24 (NRSV)
 

The LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

"This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

this one shall be called Woman,

for out of Man this one was taken."

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Psalm 8 (BCP,. p. 592)


Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (NRSV)
 

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,

"What are human beings that you are mindful of them,

or mortals, that you care for them?

You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned them with glory and honor,

subjecting all things under their feet."

Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,

"I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."

Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV)

Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Blog Reflection

This weekend's Liturgy of the Word is chock full of scriptures that are used to suggest that God only approves of marriage between one man and one woman.  Reading the Scriptures at face value it is quite simple to walk away with that impression.  Undoubtedly, in places where the future of marriage equality is on the ballot in several states including Minnesota, these texts are being used to "defend the traditional understanding of marriage as between one man, and one woman."

Unfortunately, taking from such texts such careless prejudice does not reflect an intelligent and correct understanding of the background and meaning of these Scripture readings. 

The Rev. Canon Gray Temple in his book: Gay Unions: In the Light of Scripture, Tradition and Reason writes about the meaning in Genesis 1: 26, which is similar to 2: 18-24 in message, on pages 55-58.

When the writer(s) of Genesis use the terms "male" and "female" they are not talking in the manner by which we understand those terms today.  "Male" at the time in which Genesis was written refers to a "stronger" and "dominant" species.   One in which the man had ultimate control and the power to dominate.  The "female" was referred to as the "weaker" and "subordinate" species.  These in and of themselves suggest that the woman was owned as property, to be able to produce heirs so that the next generation of males could continue to be strong and dominate, while the women could be sold or given away as property and so on. 

Genesis is really not a good place to defend the idea of marriage being only between one man and one woman.   Adam and Eve "knew" each other physically, that much is understood.  But, there is no mention of whether or not they were actually married, nor is there any evidence that men and women were only created to be married to each other, and that there was not an "Adam and Steve" as well as "Eve and Evelyn".  Just because it is not written there, does not mean that it did not exist as a possibility.

What can be understood from this reading is that whether the partner of a man is another man, a woman and another woman, or a man and woman, it is quite clear that God did not want us to exist without someone to be our "helper".  God created us in community in the Holy Trinity as well in relationship to each other.  Created in the image and likeness of God, so that we may share in God's happiness with one another, is a holy and life-giving reason "for our creation and preservation", for which we give thanks at the end of Morning and Evening Prayer daily. 

Rather than making use of this and the other readings found in today's Liturgy to determine who should and should not participate in marriage; we would do better to understand that each of us is part of the human community, by which we all share in the goodness of God's creation.  We could actually grow in our ability to see each other as a masterpiece of God's creative beauty, to cherish and honor one another in such a way, that no amount of inequality, injustice and oppression would even be conceived in the human mind.   What  a great goal to work towards.

Also, what would happen if we looked at Genesis with an educated and critical mind, and rethought about what Jesus is saying in the Gospel?   Rather than say that Jesus is recognizing how women are understood in his time, and agreeing somewhat with it, he is calling for a radical change.   I would suggest that what Jesus may be saying here is whether we are talking about a woman or a man, we are being challenged to see each person not as property to be owned.  All of us, having been created and redeemed by Jesus are not property, nor are we a "thing" to be traded when the old one doesn't work any more.  On the contrary, we are called here to see each person as a person to be loved, cherished and held as an esteemed child of God.  This then would make a lot of sense as to why the next thing Jesus does is reach out to children.  Recognizing that in each of them is an individual, innocent and without anything they personally own, but reaching out to God to find their dignity and hope in the Holy One of God for their whole lives.   We are invited to extend our own arms to those who are often thought of as lost and helpless, to help them find that in the loving and merciful arms of Jesus, God takes hold of them, holds them close to God's heart and loves them with a parental love that cherishes every person, unconditionally and all-inclusively.

Among those we can reach out to are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.   To acknowledge them as children made in the image and likeness of God, who need to find hope for salvation in and through Jesus Christ.  To acknowledge the bodily and psychological expression of love between people of the same sex, as good and holy, and to bless those relationships as gifts from God.   We can abandon all attempts to "vote" for whether their love and relationships are provided for, or restrict them from marriage equality because of erroneous arguments that hold no water to the fire.  Instead of making excuses for senseless violence that destroys individuals and communities, we make it our mission and purpose to find ways to include them and work towards justice and equality.  We would then, build up good strong families and communities that share in prosperous futures and help to end poverty, wars, diseases, oppression and corruption. 

Recognizing that every person is someone that we work for their peace and justice, to uphold their dignity, with God's help, is among the many things that makes being Episcopalian so wonderful.  Here, now, is an opportunity to fulfill that promise to God and one another.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to
hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire
or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,
and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy
to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus
Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 22, Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).


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

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, p. 826).