Matthew 23:13-22

         Godspel

13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you  make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, `If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is  bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, `If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

       When I think of this reading I cannot help but think of the fun and message of Godspel on Broadway. How fantastic. But the sad part is that todays reading is as true today as it was in Jesus' time.

       There are a multitude of churches that would have you believe that being gay is a sin, or loving someone is a sin. The rules are set forth for us to obey and supposedly, enable us to enter the kingdom of heaven easily by obeying His laws. The fact is, these 'laws' are their laws, not God's. So Jesus says woe to you! (Church) Hypocrites that they are.

       It is critically important for you to realize that you are loved and created in God's image, that you are loved and were created by God's design and wishes. DO NOT let any church or any person tell you or try to convince you otherwise. Keep the fact that you are loved and special close to your heart and know it no matter what anyone says. It may be difficult at times but keep your head high and do not let the hypocrites lead you astray. 

       In due time, you will see the kingdom of heaven before they do I assure you of that.