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.
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.
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