Variations on a theme

Romans 12:1-21

         Why is it so difficult to understand differences? From differences of opinion, to different religions, to sexuality, to what the correct way is to put toilet paper on the roller. Many people don't deny differences (of any kind) but they sure want you to know that they are correct. There's your way and then there's the correct way (usually their own) This is a phenomena that infects the largest of societies , to religions to marital dynamics and down to individuals.

        I'm not sure if it was in the seminary or in the Pastoral Formation Institute but we spent a great deal of time looking at how we all perceive things differently. We take in information in different ways. Neither is correct, they are just different. If one person stood in front of an elephant and another stood behind and each was asked to describe what an elephant looked like, the answers would be very different but they would be speaking of the same animal. This difference is perception and taking in information is often at the heart of misunderstandings and arguments. You cannot tell how someone else perceives anything.

        God reveals himself this way. I think this is why on a fundamental level we all are worshiping the same God but each religion has a different view or perspective. Neither is right and neither is wrong.  (but don't tell the Pope that). However, when you get down to rules and rubrics, it's almost impossible to reconcile the two different views. It's a sad state of affairs.

          Right here in this reading Paul uses the analogy of the body having different parts each having a different purpose but still being a part of the whole. This is the same concept in essence. It applies to our bodies, to gifts from God, to visions of who God is.

         Another way that this analogy works is in God's animal kingdom.  Each plays a role in the ecosystem, none is necessary more than another. Although I never quite figured out the value of a slug. Blech! There are bisexual, heterosexual and homosexual animals throughout God's created animal kingdom. It would not work if all were one way or all another, yet God created them. How do we or anyone, save God himself, have the audacity to say one is wrong or more right or if one is totally right?

       God created diversity to be appreciated, respected and learned from.   Give thanks for it, raise it up! Celebrate it!

The New Life in Christ

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Bible bingo

Colossians 3:18-22

          I shortened today's scripture passage to focus on this small section. I often speak of how scripture is taken out of context or mistranslated. We must always be careful with how we choose to read scripture. I suppose this is a reason why the Catholic church traditionally has frowned on the faithful reading the Bible. It was in stark contrast to other Christian denominations that seem to be able to quote Bible and verse for every occasion. Neither one is a good approach. The Catholic approach was to leave the translations to the experts, the clergy. As one trained in the seminary and who has studied scripture well, I know the nuances and science of how scripture should be studied. More importantly, how scripture should be translated and understood. To a regular reader of this blog, this concept is nothing new.

         Here we have two snippets of information right out of scripture that beg for proper translation. The first concerns marital relations. It seems straight forward enough. The fact of the matter is that this one line of scripture has been used to promote and enforce the submission of women to their husbands for eons. I personally am aware of instances of battered wives and wives who have been essentially raped by their husbands based on this passage that says Wives, be subject to your husbands. How many women went to the church to plead for help when they were told to submit and told to ask forgiveness for being a bad wife? This abuse of scripture is shameful. The fact that the church allowed, nay, promoted this kind of abuse of scripture is one that is glossed over.  I am sure that many a literalistic scripture reader in a conservative christian sect still use this passage to control women.

          There is also a few lines here that speaks of slaves being obeying their masters. Are we to take this scripture as a sanctioning of slavery? It seems clear as a bell. This line of scripture was in fact used to condone slavery because "it's in the Bible".  I think we know that this is wrong even though based on how long slavery lasted it might considered a fine tradition. We know slavery is anti-God. It demeans the value of our brothers and sisters no matter who they are or where they come from. The Spirit has guided us to the knowledge that slavery is evil, pure ans simple.

          It is imperative that we read scripture intelligently. There are messages that God wishes to convey to us, eternal truths of love, dignity, and relationships between God and his wonderful creations.  It is important however not play Bible bingo and take whatever message we want away. There is an abundance of good research out there. Study Bibles and the Internet can form a good basis for solid understanding. That doesn't mean you will come away with a definitive interpretation of a passage of scripture. I often say you can read the same passage of scripture and come away with two different messages depending on your age and where you are in life. The fact remains though, you cannot simply pluck out a line of scripture and come away with an on the spot meaning.

         If we really want to know God, we must search scripture, study it and study the peoples that wrote it. Understanding and faith are key. Above all, a yearning to know our creator and loving God.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 

Gates and portals

Matthew 7:7-14

         My husband and I went for a spin today, a truly beautiful day here on the east end of the island. Just a bit of coolness in the air but everything is blooming, the skies are a magnificent shade of blue and the water is calm. It promises to be another great sunset. As I was driving, all I could think of was the gate from this passage.

           I see gates all along the road. White picket gates, chain link gates, high and wide wire gates, bar gates, even gates made out of lumber with big steel padlocks. What are they all for? Some to keep people in, animals in? Some to keep people out, trespassers, thieves?  Some are simply decorative. What are they all for?

            It seems to me a wide gate with one person walking through is as silly as a narrow gate with a hundred trying to walk through. No matter, the hundred will still get through, just not as fast perhaps.

             I wonder about those pearly gates up in heaven? A human invention for sure. The concept though is real. A portal of welcome and perhaps a place to stop those from being admitted. I am not so sure the gate or portal to eternal happiness is narrow or meant for just a few. I am not one to swear there is even a hell to be turned away to. I believe every attempt to enter the gate is welcomed by our loving God. If you seek the gate with all sincerity, I believe it will be opened to you. God is not so much into accomplishing things as much as open to pure hearts, hearts that love and fail, hearts that love and soar. All welcome.

          If there is a gate from which we may be turned back, it will be us that does the turning back, not God I think. If there is a portal of welcome and there is a hell, we will be the ones as individuals making the choice to enter or turn around.

          That wide gate with the easy road that leads to destruction is one we would have to choose in life. I suggest we not choose that road. The path to the gate and eternal happiness is filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and peace. The path is the path Jesus chose and Jesus walked. No matter who we are and even what faith we are, Jesus is an example of how to walk the path, and work the word. He was and still is the original mover and shaker. His life is the path to the gate. 

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Gay super heroes and history

Exodus 3:1-6

          I am a mutt. My ancestry encompasses Hungarian, German, Swiss, Welsh, French Canadian and pre-colonial American. My poor children have the added burden of the influx of Irish, Polish and Cherokee (true pre-colonial Americans) It really is impressive to see some of the historical records. I have the lineage of the pre-colonial American line back to the 1400's in Wales. It is something that I find warming and as trite as it may sounds, I feel like I have roots.

           I imagine this is the same feeling Moses may have had when God spoke to him saying "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’  This gave Moses a sense of his own history and belonging, a sense of comfort. This sense of history is alive and well in Israel. The Bible is not simply the word of God, it is a living document, a story of a love affair between God and His people that is still being lived out and written today in Israel.

          When you are gay or grew up gay, there was no sense of belonging. There were no gay role models, no gay history month and if anyone was gay you only found out about by word of mouth or some obscure periodical or text that mimicked Encyclopedia Britannica in a truly offbeat way.  It was  not found on the shelf of a library in the heart of Nebraska or North Dakota. Today things are different. We have almost an endless array of information at our fingertips. Not only can we google who prominent gay people are, we can look back at the enormous volume of famous people who were gay and contributed so much to society and the arts.  Being gay is not an aberration, it is a productive, God given part of society. Always has been. 

            Today we have many living role models both gay and straight allies.  I hold many people in very high regard who have supported me (indirectly) and made me even more proud of who I am and the community I belong to. You may not agree with all of them but they have great meaning to me. Let's start with Harvey Milk, then Bishop Gene Robinson, James McGreevey, John Corvino, Frank Bruni, David Sedaris and Gareth Thomas. And let's not ever forget the straight allies, Chris Kluwe, Ben Cohen and Brendon Ayanbadejo.

            Who are your role models, mentors and heroes? Perhaps more importantly, are you a hero and role model for our community and yourself? 

          

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire

Colossians 3:1-11

       
          My father in law has a wonderful saying and it applies to almost any story you hear. "There's the story and then there is the real story". Wow.  It's so simple and yet it is a powerful truth. It also applies when two people have an argument. Each side has their story and the truth, the real story, lies somewhere in between.

       In regard to 'fornication, impurity, passion and evil desire' , there is also the story and the real story.
This reading might have you think that as followers of Christ we are called to be asexual hermits denying every sexual aspect of our being. In point of fact, this was more a diatribe against overt sexual immorality that existed at that time and in that place. And of course, since we all have some hang ups, the reading cannot be seen without the context of what Paul himself was feeling on the subject.

       For example, prostitution was a common practice even then. They do call it the worlds oldest profession after all. Children and men were not immune from such activity. Even that seemed tolerable, what was intolerable was being used as a woman. In sexual terms, it would be what was viewed as the submissive role. I am not agreeing with that at all, women have thankfully come a long way. The fact remains however that in that time women were subservient. Prostitution was OK and same sex relations were OK as long as you were not the subservient one.  The diatribe in this passage against fornication, impurity, passion and evil desire was more about sexual behavior outside the normal realm of behaviour.  Unfortunately what was 'normal' is even less clear and therefore is open to speculation . A common theme of so called conservative Christians is that it is speaking against same sex relationships.  In fact, it railed only against being in that subservient role.  It railed against rampant lust, sexual relations outside of a relationship (however that was defined at the time) and indiscriminate sex and rape.

        This is not the kind of story that usually comes out of this passage. You hear the story but there is the real story. The real story, the translations and meanings are not as crystal clear about sex. You cannot take a passage out of context. Worse, you cannot place our context onto an ancient civilization and expect the translation to be correct. You have to consider many factors, I have said that before.

        God made us as sexual beings. Somewhere between total asexual celibacy and rampant sexual immorality, is where we should be. Some will be called to celibacy but even that is not asexual. I recall the excellent book from years ago called The Sexual Celibate. On the other end of the spectrum it seems to me might be someone who is bisexual and is not partnered. Even then, we cannot be indiscriminate and casual with sex or sexuality. There are bounds of morality and behaviour. I once described that sex should be consensual and mutually respectful. That seems like a good general rule.

         As sexual beings we are meant to explore and enjoy it. It is a gift. A gift to enjoy and respect, no matter who we are. This is not against the Bible. It is a gift from God.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

You're pre-approved !

Mark 1:1-15

         Do you recall the first time you said "I love you" ? What was the response? Hopefully, it was I love you too. Sometimes that ideal scenario strays and one of the most heartbreaking ones is the response "why?" It's not unlike the response you get sometimes when you say how proud you are of someone and they similarly ask "why?"

         There is some self doubt, feelings of being unworthy perhaps. I have seen almost pathological needs for positive reinforcement and feedback as if it was said enough it would be true.

           In this passage it needs only be said once, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’  This is how God feels about all of us. He is most pleased.  You need not hear anything else, you are beloved by God. Everything Jesus did was to show us all how much we are loved. In every daily interaction, every story relates how much we are accepted and loved. All of us.  How could God not love each and every one of us? He went so far as to give up what we value most - life.

           What we fail to see is what God can see. We do get side tracked, we are capable of some fool hearty mistakes and bad decisions. We can fool ourselves into believes a lot of things, rationalize them until the cows come home. But God, God sees what we do not. To God we are all special and beautiful, beloved creations.

          If we are to move forward at all in our lives, we need to accept that fact. "God don't make junk" as they say.  Shed all the self doubt, the self recriminations over whatever. Loving yourself as God loves you comes first before anything else can be accomplished.

         If there is no self love, no recognition that we are each "the beloved", there will be no growth, no relationships of any lasting value.

         Please know, you are the beloved of God.

          

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
   “Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight” ’,
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

A beer drinking, pizza eating Baptist

Matthew 2:13-18

            God forgive me but I get some pleasure when I see something happen and someone shouts out  "it's God's will!".   A pencil falls on the floor and a person says it God's will that they go back to school or some such. Their heart is in the right place but they eliminate the real hard listening and the discerning. To me it's more like voo doo spirituality.

            I'd like to convey an experience from my own life that illustrates listening to the Spirit. Many years ago a distant relative called and asked if we knew a place that her housekeepers son could stay while in New York. This total stranger was a Baptist minister (although the beer drinking, Hawaiian pizza eating kind). He felt the Spirit was moving him to, uh, quite literally move. He had a job offer at a local hospital as a chaplain and he wanted to see if things worked out and he could find a parsonage of his own and a community, he'd send for his wife and kids.

          First of all, what possessed me to welcome this total stranger into my house for several months? Was it stupidity or the movement of the Spirit? My response was an immediate yes. It could be argued that it was a little of both but honestly, but when you follow the Spirit, can you ever go wrong? The questions that follow become practical matters and loose ends.

         Now on to my new Baptist minister friend. Actually we were at complete opposite ends of the spectrum on almost every issue but that didn't seem to be as important as doing God's will, for me and him. Here though was a man who had the feeling the Spirit was moving him to move.  His intention was to do as he was told but all the while discerning whether it was in fact the Spirit moving him and also being practical about the whole thing. He believed the Lord would provide and he did. He spend about 3 months with us in a spare apartment we had. He pursued this plan with great fervency and he never let go of his commitment to his family.

        In the end, he determined that for several reasons, this was not what he was supposed to do.  I have lost contact with him and so I don't know what if anything he eventually discerned about the path for his ministry and family.  I do know that he strove to listen to the Spirit and obey God.  He did so with a pure heart, full of faith a with great practicality. Not a bad combination.

         How often are we silent enough in our hearts and minds to discern the voice of God, let alone obey when we do hear it.

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
   wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
   she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

Apple carts and the marginalized

Luke 6:12-26

             A reading from scripture is coming to mind about being good to everyone. What value is there in being nice to people you like? Don't thieves do as much? This reading from Luke is what brings that line to mind. Jesus is always upsetting the apple cart. In todays' passage, Jesus isn't preaching to the palace elite, the goody two shoes of the time. He speaks to the marginalized. Not only does Jesus speak to them, he encourages them and lets them know they are loved, their time will come.

             This alone must have upset the religiously righteous of his time. The ones with a will to power must have asked what was going on? The Messiah is coming for us, not "them".

            It must be equally upsetting today that so many sinners see and feel the power of God's abiding love in their lives but yet are considered sinners and unworthy by those in power. Within the church, people who are gay, divorced, 'living in sin', practicing birth control or a whole host of other infractions and flaws that keep them unworthy are realizing they ARE worthy, God does in fact love them and they are worthy of respect and decent loving lives. Perhaps it is the church that is wrong. (note: if there's no blog entry tomorrow it may be because a bolt of lightening came through the roof because I said "The church is wrong").

             If you don't realize you are worthy and you don't know in the deepest recesses of your heart that Jesus loves you for who you are, know it now. This passage of "Blessed are...." is as valid today as it ever was. Jesus still speaks, the Spirit is alive and well.

       YOU are my beloved disciple.

          

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
   for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
   for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
   for you will laugh.

‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
‘But woe to you who are rich,
   for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
   for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
   for you will mourn and weep.

‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

In the heart of a patron Saont

Azariah 52-59

          I once wrote on these electronic pages of a life changing spiritual experience I had while on retreat in the Canadian Rockies.   The fact of the matter is, my mere presence in the hallowed halls of God's creation is a spiritual experience for me.  I suspect it was true also for John Muir who we celebrate today as a kind of saint. He was someone who recognized the beauty of God's creation and sought to save and preserve it for us all. To place yourself in God's landscape as a speck, emptying yourself of all the concerns and doubts that the world seems muster is a deeply emotional and liberating experience.

          It may seem zen like or some Buddhist exercise, but it is a truly meaningful and a grand exercise to let your souls be still and experience nature. It can be watching a preying mantis, watching a waterfall, scanning the hilltops, listening to the birds sing in the early morning hours or watching a deer gently nibbling at the grass along the roadside.

          Just as exhilarating is simply being still inside and listening to the breath of your newborn grandson as he sleeps gently in your arms. What could be more beautiful than the expressions of God's love and creation?  In our concrete jungles all this can be missed. I suppose it's one of the reasons I love to bicycle or go for long walks in the woods with my husband.

          No matter who we are, it is creation and all it's myriad wonders and expressions that lead us to a deeper appreciation of God and clues to who we are. It gives clues to who we all are. It shows us the majesty God wishes us all to know that we have as his magnificent creations. Like nature we are ever growing, ever changing, going to a rhythm only God knows in it's totality. We are witnesses. We are  graced with the ability to see it and be a part of it. We are caretakers and protectors.

           In witnessing the beauty and majesty of creation, we see the beauty and majesty withing each one of us.

          

‘Let the earth bless the Lord;
   let it sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, mountains and hills;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, all that grows in the ground;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, seas and rivers;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, you springs;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, you whales and all that swim in the waters;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, all birds of the air;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, all wild animals and cattle;
   sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever. 

Betrayal

Wisdom 1:1-15

            Wisdom to me is a great deal like common sense. It is not something that can really be taught. It's just something that you have, it really can't be taught.  My father once told me that the reason we have traffic laws and signs is because not everyone has common sense. Speeding, stopping at intersections and slowing down before heading into a sharp curve are pretty good examples. Some people need to be told because they just don't have the sense to do so otherwise. I still recall a scene from years ago involving a trip to an area in the Midwest that rarely saw snow. It had in fact snowed and I was driving slowly on the local section of interstate. I came across a man in a big SUV who had slid off the road and was outside (in the snow) assessing the situation in his flip flops and t-shirt. I still laugh. Common sense says not to go out driving like a nut and to dress appropriately to the temperature and weather.

           If we do not have the common sense to realize it, know that our actions are mirrors of our faith. Our words often betray what is truly in our hearts. Our actions certainly do. At least our actions speak of what is in our hearts. This realization isn't any truer than the examples of the Crusades or the Inquisition. Such evils perpetuated in the guise of faith is clearly not a true faith.  At the very least horribly misguided. Most people recoil at the thought of such actions and know they are not of God. We see the same today in the actions of the religious zealots of Islam who in the name of God and holiness slaughter innocents and kill indisciminately. We know that this is not the sign of our loving God. These actions are evil.

           Years ago I began my routine of morning prayer and meditation. This was at a very troubling time in my life. It was stressful at work and my soul stirred in anguish knowing something was wrong although I was loathe to figure out what it was. I thought it was work and my busy life. This prayer routine worked. It worked for about 2 hours each morning at which point I'd find myself barking at someone at my office door "What do you want!". Clearly, my soul, my heart was not where it needed to be and my actions betrayed that. Everyone knew I was unhappy. Some may have suspected what the problem was but no one said anyhting and I certainly was not up to figuring it out nor would have I been able to admit it to myself at that point in time anyway. I was conflicted, unhappy with not being the person God made me to be and my actions showed it. How freeing it was after much prayer and therapy to say to myself - I am a gay man.

           Our actions betray our true hearts. This is why actions speak louder than words and St Francis said to preach the Gospel but only use words if necessary.

          It is imperative that our actions are based in the faith and love of Christ. Even seemingly good actions, when based in self enrichment and not focused on love and others are apparent to all who have eyes and see. Base our words, our actions and our hearts in the love of God and the hope of eternal salvation.

         

       
            

Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth,

think of the Lord in goodness
and seek him with sincerity of heart;
because he is found by those who do not put him to the test,
and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.
For perverse thoughts separate people from God,
and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish;
because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul,
or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.
For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit,
and will leave foolish thoughts behind,
and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness. 

For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words;
because God is witness of their inmost feelings,
and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues.
Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world,
and that which holds all things together knows what is said,
therefore those who utter unrighteous things will not escape notice,
and justice, when it punishes, will not pass them by.
For inquiry will be made into the counsels of the ungodly,
and a report of their words will come to the Lord,
to convict them of their lawless deeds;
because a jealous ear hears all things,
and the sound of grumbling does not go unheard.
Beware then of useless grumbling,
and keep your tongue from slander;
because no secret word is without result,
and a lying mouth destroys the soul. 

Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
because God did not make death,
and he does not delight in the death of the living.
For he created all things so that they might exist;
the generative forces of the world are wholesome,
and there is no destructive poison in them,
and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.
For righteousness is immortal. 

The most exclusive secret bestest club ever!

Luke 5:27-39

              We all know what cliques are. Even the nerds have their own cliques. Usually though, cliques are thought of as the chic, fashionable, good looking, well-to-do types. No matter who you are or where you are, they exist. 

           I am not so sure what the Pharisees are more concerned with in this reading.  Are they concerned about Jesus consorting with crooks and people of marginal character? Or perhaps it's simply that as a religious, Jesus would be part of the religious elite and they didn't want that opened up to anyone else. Yes, theirs was an elite group. Surely Jesus would be one of their own. And then what would we do with all the riff raff he hangs out with? What's going on?

          We are not solitary beings. We gather in groups because it is hard wired into us. Even when I am silent and 'alone' I am not, I am with my God. Perhaps as a matter of comfort we choose those people that we most relate to and are comfortable with. Our worship for the most part is communal in nature too. We celebrate Eucharist - together. Everything we do is a together moment. Most people, straight or gay, strive to find 'the one' that completes them. 'It is not right that man live alone'.

         At issue though is not the cliques or the groups we hang with per se. The problem that we incur is when we make that group the main focus at the expense of all others.  Where a group could enrich others, sometimes they focus inward and perhaps have the arrogance to think that their group is 'the all'. If community is a good thing it is also good, if not required for our survival, that groups interplay and learn from each other. Just as one person is not loved any more (or less) than any other by our God, it is also true that one group is not more loved or more right than any other. We all have a role to play. 

          Our communal / community nature being hard wired into us is not merely a case of survival. In creating this part of us, God has created a clue that will bring us to Him. So, not merely survival is at stake but our spiritual survival, growth and maturity. Our eternal salvation as well?

          We are called to community but we are called to reach out to those that are different than we are. We are called to recognize their contribution to our joint survival and growth. We must not become center focused. When we focus on ourselves alone, whether it is personally or as a group we shrivel and die.

          Reach out, reach up, grow and love.

       

Jesus Calls Levi

After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up, left everything, and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’

The Question about Fasting

Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.’ Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’

more of the unexpected......hope.,

Acts 9:10-20,26-31

         We are all aware of the expression that we are supposed to turn the other cheek. Or if a man slaps you on one cheek, turn and offer the other as well. I am not sure how good I am at that but I am a work in progress and I try. I think that's all the Lord asks of us. We are not perfect, but we try. We listen, and we try. Then, with God, anything is possible.

          It certainly isn't hard to imagine how we would react if someone harmed us or a loved one. Would we welcome that person in our home when they say "I've changed" or "I've seen the light". Paul claimed to almost literally have seen the light. There was great tension in the early church. A man who persecuted the church now is claiming to be a staunch believer. How would you feel?

         Of course as I mentioned the other day, God has incredible power, anything is possible with God. So the metamorphesis of Paul is not only possible, it is history. This passage can have many lessons, forgiveness would be one.  The power of God is another.

        It is the combination of those two, forgiveness, power and the most unexpected scenario that brings about something truly joyous. Hope. Ask anyone who is recovering. The power of God is seen through forgiveness,  the ability to change against seemingly insurrmountable odds and the hope of new life. The possibility, the history of the fact that we can change and are meant to change.

       Totally unexpected. Totally loved.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’

When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. 

Unexpected

Luke 5:1-11

           There is a term in the theater called a dramaturge. It's a fresh face that comes in to a show in production to give hints, ask questions and make suggestions. While I think the qualifications to be a dramaturge are not set in stone I think it's safe to assume you wouldn't ask a plumber or bank teller.

           In this passage Jesus is in a fishing boat with professional fisherman, men who will soon become his disciples. As we know,  Jesus is a carpenter by trade.  By today's standards, not qualified to preach and certainly not one to be giving advice to fisherman. Yet here is Jesus, after being told that these men have fished all night to no avail, telling the men to cast off their nets to try just one more time. For the life of me I can't understand why they even threw their nets overboard on the advice of a carpenter but they do. What happens? They catch so much the boats are to the point of sinking.

            Besides a historical lesson on how the Apostles were picked by Jesus, there is a truly great lesson here for everyone. Our thoughts go in a general pattern. Getting a different viewpoint is a common experience. This is why consultants abound (and get rich) and why there is such a thing as a dramaturge. Sometime however the answer to your question comes from the most unlikely of sources.

            Last evening at an LGBTQ spirituality group, we discussed that we all wanted to grow as a person and together as group. It was noted that we come for one thing, a question, a problem , a concern, a desire. Very often you get a totally unexpected answer and quite possibly the thing you really needed, even if you didn't know to ask for it. Unexpected.

          Today the fisherman got something unexpected. Good fishing advice from a carpenter and a saviour when all they were looking for was to get their work done. They had no thoughts of meeting the messiah.

          For those that have ears and hear and those that have eyes and see, the unexpected is out there waiting, answers to your questions, fears, hopes and dreams.

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

The great and powerful......God.

Acts 8:1-8

         I once had a very devout Bible reading technician that worked for me.  Invariably the topic would turn to religion. On the subject of creation, I explained that while I know God created the world, the evidence is that the creation story is just that, a story. It contains truths that God wishes us to know but that the  evidence God supplies in this world of ours suggests that evolution is correct. My technician's response was one of disbelief. The world was in fact created in 7 days. 'Isn't God great enough and powerful enough to do that?'  Yes I said, God is that powerful but the evidence suggests otherwise. Then there was a very brief discussion about how the devil had supplied the evidence. Actually, end of discussion.

          I recall that story for two reasons. One is the power of God. The other is the ignorance or failure to see by seemingly intelligent people.

          This reading takes up right after yesterdays reading where Stephen was stoned. Saul (Paul) condones such action and this reading points to Saul going from house to house to find the Christians and throw them in jail. This is important to us because it points to the power of conversion by the Spirit. God chose this totally unexpected man to be one of Christianity's greatest believers and forces. To transform a man who condoned Stephens stoning and who horribly persecuted Christians into one of the Church's greatest leaders is amazing. The power of God, the power of love, the power of the Spirit is enormous. Beyond our comprehension.

           Some people, when they get a glimpse of such power, use it to explain away their fears and questions. On the issue of creation, rather than use the brain God gave her, my technician crawled into a ball and ignored the evidence God has placed in front of her - in front of all of us. Yes, God could have created the world in seven days, but did he?? The evidence suggests not.  Going back to another controversy, Does the sun revolve around the earth? Yes, God could make that happen in another reality but in our reality, the evidence shows that it is the earth that revolves around the sun.

           There is discredited belief about something called reparative therapy. It would have us rely on the power of God to turn gay people straight. This is just so wrong on many levels. I have to say right off that yes, God could make such a transformation. God surely has that power. But to what end? The evidence suggests that homosexuality is normal. Surely not for the whole of society  but it exists in nature and it exists in man and it is part of Gods design. It is only now that we are coming to know that gay people are really no different than anybody else. We love and seek committed love. We live our lives like everyone else.  That is what the evidence suggests. Anything else is stereotypes and ignorance.

           The power that God wields is a power of love and transformation. We can be transformed. We can change to be a better person, the person God wants us to be. We can get up every morning and start anew. We can overcome incredible, insurmountable odds to become new person, a beautiful, loving creative person when once we were broken. Or perhaps worse, we can transform our self from the darkness of the closet to light of being out and proud.

            God's power is love and light. The power to transform. The light of intelligence and knowledge.
      

And Saul approved of their killing him.

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

Come on out, the waters fine

Acts 7:51-8:1

          Harvey Milk said that  Coming out is the most political thing you can do. This is what this reading is all about to me and it ties into something I wrote the other day. We sometimes react to righteousness in bad ways but the best way is by living a good life.

          I have an attachment to St. Stephen seeing that he was the first Deacon of the church and he was summarily stoned to death when the fire of the Spirit had him preach so forcefully.  Do we have the courage to preach so forcefully? Perhaps you say, I am no preacher. I am reminded of St. Francis whom I often quote. Basically, preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary. So you see, you can not only be a preacher but an incredibly good one.

           Most of us are not asked to give up their life for their beliefs. The ones that have done so or risked death, stand out in our minds. Jesus goes without saying really and of course St. Stephen. Rosa Parks? Martin Luther King Jr.? There are countless Martyrs of the Church.

       The best way we can accomplish anything is often without words and simply by example. For us to do that, it is incumbent on all of us to live our lives proudly. If you are gay, be the outest, proudest and best gay person that you can imagine or be.  I know that this can be difficult on several levels. For one the act of coming out can seem monumental. It may be.  Secondly, since we have been so disenfranchised, marginalized, forced into closets and mistreated by family and organized religions, we often find it difficult to modulate our outness and reactions to our abusers. I know I have that problem. And yet, the best way as I say, is to live an out life.  Live a good life. Some say that is the best revenge ( if you are into that).

         So taking one step at a time, come on 'out'. Tell the world, be proud. You have no idea how many people are out there to love and support you. People you never even dreamed of. Your gift to the gay community and the world is the best gay person you can be.

‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

5When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. ⁵⁸Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

And Saul approved of their killing him.

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.

You're not welcome

Luke 4:14-30

          I know it might sound too worldly of me but I do love cars. This has been a lifelong joy of mine and I really do try to keep it in perspective. I find an analogy in the life of car lovers. Each one has his favorite. The car that I find stirs my soul certainly will not be the one that stirs a friend into a frenzy. Where the analogy falls apart is that in general car lovers have a brotherhood in which they respect each other. Differences in life, not so much.

           In life, when you think you have thee answer to everything, usually a religion or a philosophy, there seems to be a constant effort to convert the other side. I say the other side because the 'non-beleiver' is often looked down upon and their view is usually dismissed or diminished.

           Poor Jesus reading the scroll in the synagogue has virtually no chance of succeeding in helping the congregants realize that he is in fact the One. He is the messiah.  They after all are the congregants , they have history and covenants and the law. Jesus was (LOL), the carpenters son!  Perhaps it harkens back to my writing about the self righteous or majority but this group was not accepting Jesus. The only thing he aroused in their hearts was anger. It cemented the rule that no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.

         In life we often take our own preferences or beliefs as the best dismissing everyone else's veiw. This shows an incredible lack of maturity,understanding and respect. This is why Washington is in such dissarray and it follows through into American society as well - if not the world. Our view is the only accepted and true view. I am going to go out on a limb here though and say that I think there is more respect from the left side of he aisle for the right than there is from the right for the left. Got that?

          Recently I read a face book posting commenting on a gay man removed from ministry in a Roman Catholic parish. The man sadly thought he could bring the Bishop to his senses. He presented a petition and there were local newspaper articles in support of him. Even many of his fellow parishioners spoke on his behalf. Here's the rub. This man, this victim, had respect for the church. He really fails to realize that the Church has absolutely no respect for him.  Our victim, one of countless gay Catholics around the world respects a faith that has abandoned them. The Church arrogantly believes that it  has the one true view and there is no other. Gay Christians can read the scrolls (the bible) and proclaim that they are loved and equal and worthy of all of God's Sacraments but it will be for naught if read in a Roman Catholic church. I am sad for this man who does not recognize that there is no respect for him.

              I am reminded of the section of scripture that says if the Apostles find that they are not welcome in a place, they are to leave and shake the dust from their feet. Gay Catholics need to realize they should leave a pile of dirt as they depart the pews.

              God's revealed world has many facets, all are true but none are the complete picture. To retreat to ignorance and arrogance shows how wrong hearted and un Christian you are. 

Then 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 favour.’
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.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Love covers

1 Peter 4:7-11

           Life is precious. These last few days for me have been a wake up call to that fact. I have experienced death and I have experienced the joy of my first grandchild. The first line of this reading  noting that the end is near, and the second noting that love conquers a multitude of sins brings together these recent experiences. I have been reflecting on these and other examples of love that conquers.

          To the world at large a wake would not be the place you'd really expect to feel loved. It would appear to be a sad time filled with remorse, death and finality. In my personal faith I was happy to see that the wake I went to the other day was different. Yes, there was sadness but that was overcome by the love that the deceased had given her entire life and the love of those attending the wake. Not only did this woman live a life to the fullest and filled with love, but her family was following her example. What's more, her husband was so loved the outpouring for him from the community was heartwarming. What ever sadness there was, whatever shortcomings the deceased may have had in life, it was overcome by her love.

          Holding a precious new life in your arms without any words being spoken, helps you realize the power of love. There is no specific action required, no toy to be purchased, no ice cream to be bought, no ball to be tossed, at least not yet. In the solitude of holding this child, love is ever present and conquers all. Whatever else may be going on around us, in the room or in the world, love has made a triumphant call in this new life and the love that is so strong it seems palpable.

          It is no secret that the first year of marriage for many young couples is the roughest. There are adjustments to be made, compromises and outright differences of opinion. What keeps the marriage going is the foundation and expression of love. Whatever happens, when there is love, the marriage not only continues, it flourishes. This week a wonderful couple I know celebrated their 60th anniversary. That is a lot of loving.

          Whatever sins the gay community, as a group or as individuals, may be guilty of they are overcome by the love that the community exudes. First, let me point out that the sins are far greater in the minds of the self righteous and loveless than they actually are. Perhaps for the very reason we are called gay, the joy and exuberance of the community is expressed in brotherhood, sisterhood, community and expressions of love that are freeing and natural. Perhaps there is too much familiarity in those expressions, ( who am I to judge? ) but they certainly exhibit the signs and expressions of all kinds of love that overcomes any sins.

                   Life is precious and fragile. We really do not know when the end is coming for each of us. We must celebrate life, live it to the fullest. Each moment must be be filled as much love as we can muster because whatever faults we have, whatever mistakes we may make, it is love that will conquer all.

         

         

          

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

Righteousness reaction

1 John 3:11-18

           Just as Jesus turned the tables (over) in the temple, I confess to a giddiness at turning the tables myself. I'm not quite sure if it's part of my nature to be contrary or that I simply have a mind to make people think about the status quo. It is quite likely that feeling like a minority (even before I realized I really was one) makes me think of things in the exact opposite way that many people do.

          I am in no way trying to diminish the wrong that Cain visited on his brother. But the feeling of righteousness very often incites a reaction in the opposite direction. Perhaps it's a natural reaction.  I would argue that very often the majority that feels so self righteous is perhaps not so right after all.  If majority rules then slaves quite possibly could still be with us. So might apartheid.

          I find it quite interesting that when a judge settles an argument based on the law or the constitution ( as opposed to majority rule, or 'those who are in power at the time' rule), those judges are marked "activist".  No righteousness is not necessarily a good thing and it tends to limit respect and dignity for the minorities.

           It could very well be that the reaction to such righteousness is to be contrary. We should not be surprised then that the world hates you. The issue at hand is how to handle the hate, how to deal with the self righteousness of others.  Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi had the right idea about non violent resistance.  But the facts remain that demonstrations and violence are also a reaction to the righteousness of the oppressors.  Who is not aware of the vociferousness of the JDL? Who does not know who the Rev. Al Sharpton is?  In the gay community, when we were starting to seek our rights, fighting desperately for our rights, who recalls Act Up! ?

          Knee jerk reactions and violence are no way to respond to the righteous enemy. If recent statistics show anything, it is political activism and truth that wins out over righteous oppressors.  If Jesus taught us anything it was that emotions are not bad, it's what you do with those emotions.  Save perhaps the overturning of the moneychangers' tables, all Jesus' efforts were positive in action. Perhaps though the money changers had it coming. After all, Jesus did not smite them did he?

          As a gay person of faith we are called to be attentive to the downtrodden, the marginalized even if we are in the majority. Sadly we know all too well what is is to be the minority. We are called to be compassionate but fight for what is right and not be self righteous.

For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We must not be like Cain who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

Give praise, give thanks, hold on.

Jeremiah 23:1-8

        There was time in the church and perhaps even today when some of the greatest enemies of the church were from within. Church history is fraught with examples of heresies. Perhaps it was better to call them internal conflict or intense discussions. Be that as it may, the fledgling church sought solidarity in clear beliefs and a consistent message. From this was born strength and clarity of message. Those that preached or taught alternative beliefs were rejected, excommunicated or sanctioned. I would not argue with the merits of this only to note some peoples lives have been ruined only to have their names dusted off and polished centuries later. 

           I know this responsibility of 'the church' has been taken quite seriously over the centuries. How is the church today? I would argue that there is an equally strong responsibility of the church to acknowledge the Spirit alive in the faithful and in the world. To take no actions at all out of fear or perhaps worse, take action to perpetuate falsehoods and to maintain power is to align yourself as evildoers. God will gather together those that have been cast aside.

           As a gay Roman Catholic I have a great deal to say about being scattered and cast aside. Sadly this would apply perhaps equally well to a whole host of other people withing the church that cry out for assistance and ministry but are also cast aside. Basically anyone who does not fit into this neat box that the Church has created and finds a need to perpetuate and protect. As a gay person though I have written over and over about misused scripture, ancient philospophies that no longer should hold sway and male domination. The latter seems so ironic in the face of the makeup of the Priesthood that it only shows the hypocrisy and stupidity of the whole situation.

            Although this seems like yet one more rant, the real message in this scripture reading is to not let go of your faith. Our faith is between ourselves and God. There is no medium necessary save God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit and yourself. While we are communal beings and we worship our creator in common, your faith is something that must be held onto no matter what 'they say'.  Give praise, give thanks, hold on. Do not let go of your faith. There are many others out there like you who know it is not an abomination to be gay, to be loved, to be a person of faith and to be saved.

            It may be on your last breath, but God will gather you up into his flock. Woe to those who have scattered His flock.

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says theLord.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Therefore, the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt’, but ‘As the Lord lives who brought out and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the land of the north and out of all the lands where hehad driven them.’ Then they shall live in their own land. 

Money, money, money!

Matthew 10:7-16

          Jesus was probably one of the most counter cultural people that ever lived. I think there would be a strong argument to support Jesus as the prototype for most of the most positive advances in human relations.

          As people of faith we are called to also be counter cultural. But when you think about equality, welcoming strangers or turning the other cheek, none of them involve expenditures of money. In fact,  this reading would have us steer away from anything to do with money. In dealing with the secular world we need money but in all things religious, what we have been given and what we give to others should not involve money.

     It really makes me wonder what fundamentalist Christian televangelists say to themselves about the very well appointed lives they live. The same questions I would raise to any local diocesan priest who drives a fancy car, get three squares, no lifting and has an extra house in the hampton's. Does this reading fall on deaf ears? I do note the new Pope's simple lifestyle, what a role model.

     How do you and I respond to this reading? Is it judgmental as I may have just sounded? Are we, who are given countless gifts of love and grace ( all free )  supposed to respond to that love and grace? How?  Should we throw money at a problem we see? Donate to a worthy cause? Probably yes but that is not the message here. We must not fall into the trap of throwing money at problems, even out of love, and allow ourselves to think we have satisfied our obligations or even simply our desire to help.

       This evening I sat with a man who lost his wife. He was humbled and astounded at the number
of people that showed up at the wake. He was stunned by the outpouring of love, flowers and emotional support. This good man did not receive this outpouring because he paid anything. It was his life, well lived with abundant love that was being returned to him in kind. No money was to change hands. This was love and caring as God intends it, as this reading is speaking about.

        If you think of the absolute best things in life, none involve money

As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Gay marriage

Acts 5:12-26

          The story is not new at all, the power is with the people. There are grass root uprisings, demands for democratic participation in the government. It happens all over the world. It is not so different in the church. Not too long ago there were groups formed within the Catholic church demanding more transparency and greater participation in decision making. I recall the power of Voice of the Faithful. Very often the objects of these demonstrations seem immune from understanding just how wrong they are and that they will be shown to be on the wrong side of history. Politically, leaders hold onto power right up until the point the are dragged out and shot, hung or brought to an international court of justice. Religiously, as in this reading, the leaders were afraid they would be stoned by the people. I don't think there is any risk of that happening within the Roman Catholic church but there is a large disconnect between what the people know (in their hearts) and believe and what the church is telling them to believe.

          They say that the percentage of Americans that are accepting of Gay marriage has grown exponentially in recent years especially within the ranks of the Catholic faithful. I am not sure what the reason for this is. I would like to say it is because scripture scholars have come to a much better and more faithful understanding of scriptures that were once used to pummel gays into submission and into a closet. Pundits say it is the 'powerful gay lobby'. Others say it is that people see the gay people who live in their own lives and see how good, decent and normal they are. Why should they be denied the same happiness that everyone else has? I would add that I have even heard someone say, let gays marry, why should straight people be the only ones suffering? All joking aside, The growing acceptance is a welcome.

           I am personally praying for that enlightenment of the religious leadership. Perhaps I am asking for a miracle on par with the parting of the Red Sea. I know that such a revelation will involve more than a mere tolerance of gays, it will result in a wholesale reevaluation of all sexuality. From the slavery of celibacy (for many) to gay marriage, to birth control, to the sacramentality of marriage. I pray for all aspects of healthy sexuality. Please include in that list embracing the joy of sex as well. Our sexuality is a gift of God as distinct as any other of God's many gifts.

            When gay marriage becomes normative in the secular world, accepted and an example of how good marriages can thrive, straight or gay, I pray the church will not be afraid to speak out for fear they will be chastised, verbally stoned if you will, for their ignorance and failure to see the truth that the Spirit is trying to reveal to them.

            Perhaps this kind of change is bigger than the fact that the earth does in fact revolve around the sun. In addressing changes in sexuality, the church must recognize the strength and surety of the Spirit in the faithful, must address the fact that tradition alone is not a valid means of moving the church forward as the Spirit reveal and demands.

     I pray and I give thanks to God.

Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.’ When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported, ‘We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’ Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. Then someone arrived and announced, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Dying in Christ

Romans 6:3-11

             What is this about dying with Christ?  We know about how Jesus was a social rebel, a lover, how he was inclusive, faithful, good to have with you on a fishing trip, a fun guy around the fire with some wine, great at a wedding. But his greatest gift to us was dying (for us) and rising again on the third day to new life, transformed. Jesus shed his earthly bonds to accept fully and return to his totally divine nature. So why do we focus on the dying?

             When I wrote yesterday about reassessment, I was really speaking about dying. When we grow, a certain portion of us must die. We die to our old self and are reborn into new life. When I speak about being honest with ourselves and making tough self assessments, it is part of the dying to your old self and rising to new life.

            Another form of dying for us is when we pick up the crosses we have to bear in life.  Life has a way of presenting us with problems and sorrow. Admittedly, it is nothing like the cross that Jesus had to carry, literally or figuratively, but we still have crosses to bear. It's not like we want to but they are inevitable and we carry them in solidarity with Christ who shoulders it with us like our own personal Simon. When we carry those crosses in life,  and like I say, they are inevitable, we wouldn't go out and search for them but they help us grow in love and appreciation for what Jesus went through for us. We die to a kind of selfishness and put others first.

          There are are all sorts of examples of how we die and rise to new life in our daily lives. We are after all called Easter people.  Perhaps they are a preparation for the day we will rise to a totally new life to be with Christ in Heaven.

         Any dying that we enter into with Christ is one that brings new life to us. The key is with Christ!



Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.