And the world will end on.....

Mark 13:21-27

          I can recall several occasions in my short (50+ year) lifetime when someone made the prediction the world would end on a specified day at a specified time. The day came, the day passed and life went on. Jesus himself said that only the Father knows the day and time, not even Jesus himself. Can you imagine Jesus not knowing something? That would be the subject of another reflection.

           There are hordes of people who have even more to say about just about everything. There is no shortage of people who want to tell us exactly what God is surely saying to us from holy scripture. There is no shortage of people who want to tell us exactly what God means and they will pluck verses at will to support their point. 

            Of all the things that are said and done in the name of God, Allah, or whatever your higher power is named, the only one that matters is love. There are boatloads of knowledge that we can obtain from the world and from each other but knowledge is fleeting and incomplete. No one knows the whole story, no one has the singular best view of the world or God's creation except for him ( or her ).  Jesus made this abundantly clear. Jesus was asked what is the most important and he gave only two commandments and love is woven through them tighter than white on rice. 

           We do not know what God had to say about eating meat on Fridays. We do know what God has  to say about being gay. We do not know specifically anything God said about human sexuality, sex, abortion and women's rights. There is an infinite number of unknowns. I Pity the fool that believes all the answers are found in the bible with it's contradictions, mistranslations and scientific inaccuracies, no matter how inspired it is. The Bible was still written by fallible humans.

             God gave us two great commandments and a brain.  We can use our brains and our senses to see the world, to investigate the world he created and to discern patterns, discover deeper truths (not ultimate truths) and gain self knowledge. But the overriding guide are those two great commandments and love. They are the lens, love is the answer.

         1 Corinthians 13:13 ..... the greatest of these is love. The only truth we need to know. Let the knuckleheads predict and shout all they want.

          

And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything.

‘But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
   and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
   and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Zen Christianity ?

1 Timothy 6:6-19

            This passage is rich in wisdom and I think almost every line is ripe for meditations, sermons and life lessons. What strikes me too is the word "contentment" right there in the very first line. Is this some kind of Zen Christianity we are hearing of? I read a very interesting book not too long ago about Jesus called The Gospel According to Biff. Fascinating and funny book. It speaks to me about the essence of this reading, the fundamentals of faith in God but not religions and the rules. It dares to look at alternatives and presents a picture of faith in a more rounded way than we might have been brought up with. It's almost as if the writer has had some eastern experience that gives wisdom and knows that rules and rubrics, power and prognostications are not what loving God and being a whole person are all about.

             Where does that leave us? Basically, to look further into eastern religions / philosophies? Perhaps that wouldn't hurt any of us. I can only think that it would enrich our lives and our faith. But if we look at some rough tenets of eastern thought and shy away from materialism as a source of happiness, we will be better off. It embraces the body as a temple and a source of joy, not sin.  I don't find these tenets at odds with Christianity at all.  Of course if you look at the wealth and riches of the Catholic church or the way in which some televangelists live, you might get a different idea about what is important. It is not. Wealth does not equal happiness or fulfillment, ask Christina Onassis. Just know that money is not the root of all evil. As this passage points out, it is the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

             As for our sexuality, being gay in many ways gives us a leg up so to speak about the spirituality of our bodies as temples.  Generalizing, gays have a better appreciation and joy of sexuality that straight people do. There are fewer hangups and diversity certainly is a hallmark of being gay. Of course this too can be made ugly. As a friend of mine said last week, there is casual sex but no sex is casual. Amen.

             Rather than continue I would suggest really reading this passage and thinking about it. If it spurs you on to looking into some information about Buddhism or some other eastern religion, so be it.

             So love and enjoy life to the full and be thankful to God for all we are graced with.

           

          

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment;

for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it;

but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you

to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which he will bring about at the right time--he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share,

thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Betrayals of the worst kind

Luke 9:43-45

         At any point in our life we know the feeling of betrayal. As children it may be as simple as one child forsaking one to play with another. It seems a betrayal. As we get a bit older perhaps it's a high school friend, then coworker and perhaps even spouse. How about betraying yourself as well?

         Nothing seems more painful or hurtful than betrayal. It would seem that the closer someone is, the more opportunity there is for betrayal. A whisper of a secret, a sacred trust not kept or any array of actions we might consider a betrayal. 

         It happens in every part of our lives. Children who are so innocent get to instinctively know our weak spots and can betray us. In a book I am reading the author speaks of being monogomish. How would we feel if our spouse, partner, lover took the sacredness shared with one and shared it with a stranger? 

          We have whole industries, television the prime example, that thrive on shows that feature betrayal ( and revenge ). Intrigue and revenge are the basic plot for success. Perhaps we are titillated by being so close to something we internally fear so much.

          There is another betrayal that I find is the deepest and most damaging of all. Betrayal of self. God created us quite uniquely. One of our life goals is to achieve wholeness, the completeness that God created us to be. It is a life journey to be fully human and to be totally what God created us to be. Imagine the life of someone who denies their nature.  It is a sin of monumental proportions to not be or at least not strive to be all that God created you to be. When my son was in grade school we were informed of his higher capacity to learn and comprehend. We tried to made sure he knew that whatever he did in life, he was to use his talents to the max. He was to respect his giftedness, nurture his giftedness and to use his giftedness. We explained that to those who are give more ( in any way ), more is expected of them. To  not do this is a betrayal. My daughter is also very accomplished and the same message went to her.  Betraying yourself can be the worst kind of betrayal.

           Lest we think we are alone in this I would hasten to point out how our God feels about this. We are not alone. Imagine your closest friend. You hang with him, you break bread together, travel together. In your deepest moment of need, a time I would use to define what a true friend is, that friend bails on you. Isn't that what Peter did to Jesus? On top of the whipping, the embarrassment, the humiliation, the crown of thorns and perhaps some self doubt, Peter says "Jesus? Who?"  Could we handle that kind of betrayal and remain friends?

             Life seems full of betrayals of one sort or another. We really are not sure if the barbs of betrayal are intentional or not. We cannot see into others' minds and their intentions. We can only deal with how we handle such things. What we can do is be true to ourselves. We must not betray ourselves.

         We simply must always love.

   

And all were astounded at the greatness of God.While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Ordinary day and now ordinary people

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

           You know how it is, you hear something a hundred times and then, on that 101st, the statement clicks. You get it. It takes on a whole new meaning. Such is the case with the phrase "I anoint you priest, prophet and king", said at all christian baptisms. I give credit to the old Deacon that said it in such a way that I finally got it. We are all priests, we are all prophets and we are all kings.

           In several of my casual reads lately, the authors made the point that Priests (especially in the Roman Catholic tradition) are held in very high esteem. And such is part of the basis for many of the churches problems from celibacy, child abuse and to my point here, the stagnancy of the laity. The ordinary, the person in the pew feels unworthy if not totally unwilling to step up to the plate. They do not feel they can take control of and contribute to their own church. This is not something that belongs only to the Roman Catholic Church. 

            When we are Baptized as priest prophet and king, it grants us graces and makes us a vital part of the body of Christ. It is responsibility to step up to the plate. We know to help our brothers and sisters. We most often associate that with service and help outside of church. Do we realize we need to help with the gifts we are gifted with to help the actual church? Service is something we are called to at Baptism. And the point I wish to make is that it is not just the ordained, it is all of us, the high and the low, whatever we may appear to be. We are equally loved in the eyes and heart of God. We ae called to serve.

           Do not think you are not worthy to serve. God chooses us all. accept the challenge and responsibility.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’

An ordinary day

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

       Ah, to my first experience here with the big black whole in cyberland. Perhaps it's as they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Alas I will try again, my first edition of today's blog is God only knows where. Perhaps I merely dreamt I wrote the blog in a pre-caffeinated stupor.

        So here goes. I am presently on vacation. This will serve as notice as to why my entries may seem to appear later in the day. That, and the time zone differences. I am enjoying myself with sleeping in late with my ever so wonderful husband in the second greatest city in the world. We are eating well (bordering on gluttony) and taking in all the sights, both man made (in the city) and of God, usually out in the desert. It seems that in itself would be a good launch point for a blog entry. It may just be percolating as I type. But we are having a great time and by most measures these are not ordinary days. No worry about money, I get to sleep in and spend whole days with my husband, we gamble, bike, hike and as I noted - we eat..... well.

           But life is still 'ordinary' if you will. Each day is an opportunity to appreciate the people of God's creation. People who are placed in my path, who grace my life. People whom I can help, be nice to, pray for, love. It is all a gift from God.  I'm not preaching here on a street corner, that's is not my calling nor am I suited for it.

          I prefer to make today, even on vacation in a spectacular place the same as every other day. No signs of the cross (unless internal), no dovening, no "Praise Jesus!" if I get BlackJack. Just honest attentive living which is what every day should be. That should be our ordinary day, no matter where we are or what we are doing.

          Make every day an 'not so in your face' opportunity to advance on our journey to wholeness, to love others as God loves us. Seize the ordinary day!

‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Short term memory

1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8

           What an interesting transformation in the church. Jesus spoke with, broke bread with and befriended the marginal, the sinner and the outcasts of society. Yet in this passage we are told to not associate with such people, either by your own personal judgement of them or by the judgement of some other  'more informed' persons. I suppose that means some leaders of the church. In any event the church is already straying from the roots that Jesus planted. Is this the human condition? Is this invariably what happens when humans set themselves to form a church or set themselves as above the rest

            One of the challenges of equality for the LGBTQI community is marriage equality. Not so long ago my now husband and I marched on our state capital in front of cameras to tell everyone we demanded equal rights. We never dreamed the conversion of hearts would be so quick. We were married a year later. That achievement was a God send. However there are so many more issues and conversions of heart and law to be achieved for the rest of our community. Once marriage equality was achieved though, much of the air escaped in the revelry. Many of our brothers and sisters were left out in the cold so to speak. Friends of ours that fought along side us for equality baulked at expending more energy on some of our other brothers and sisters to help them also achieve the equality in law and justice. How soon we forget when we get what we want. I suppose it is not unlike how some the Apostles forgot about what Jesus was preaching (and how he lived). It's interesting in building a church or honestly sharing the Good News, they were willing to cast aside those that Jesus went out of his way to welcome and include. What gives?

          Being self righteous and forgetting our roots and foibles seems easy for us as humans. Perhaps that is why Jesus did not exclude. Jesus made two rules, the two great commandments. We can forget everything but if we love and treat others the way we would like to be treated, all would be well.

          The followers of Ignatian spirituality have the examination of conscience that is done to help with spiritual growth and our daily journey. If we could be more attentive to how imperfect we are without beating ourselves up over it, that is, simply moving forward in faith - oh how the world would shine forth with love. Rules and rubrics would fade away in the light of love. Who are we to judge?  

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. ‘Drive out the wicked person from among you.’ 

When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that?

In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that.

I now pronounce you man and car.

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

         I would greet anyone, including the holiest of people ( for they are after all, human ) who holds themselves up as a moral compass as somewhat suspect. What is their purpose? What is their intent? Their background? The basis of their judgements?

         Whenever sexual morality (or lack thereof) is mentioned in scripture, the intent is highly suspect. It should not be dismissed. It should however be looked at with a critical eye. There were specific reasons such things were written. There are enough reasons'  translational and uniquely societal questions that this could be the topic of a course all to itself. This is not my charge. It is enough for me to note that such statements in scripture should not be taken too broadly or assumed to mean a certain thing based on the translated words  or a readers personal bias.

           I know that many acclamations against immorality written in scripture are used as clubs to beat the gay community. Each 'preacher' or 'expert' puts their own unique spin and personal preference of what the evil is and what it will lead to. I recently read an article where a (so called) minister in Colorado blamed  the recent floods there on the fact that the local paper had placed a picture of two men kissing on the front page. Heavens, how patently absurd and stupid. It's so sad.

          One of my favorites is when scripture is used against marriage equality. They invariably note that it will lead to men marrying their dogs or their cars. I cannot help but wounder what paradigm of marriage they have? I wonder what kind of marriage they have? Doesn't marriage of any sort require mutual consent? Isn't marriage an institution and Sacrament in which each party gives 100% ? Isn't it based on mutual love and respect? How can anyone even suggest then marriage with a car? How does that work? ( I don't want to know ) And what of marriage with one's dog? (again I don't want to know) Suffice to say it makes me think their paradigm of marriage is one of a dominating partner who is satisfied at the expense of the other in every way without discussion, thought, input or love. That is, their is no mutuality' one half of the marriage would be a 'slave'' totally objectified.  The fears of marriage equality leading to such bizarre relationships only serves to highlight the immorality and evil in the mind of the accuser and the 'prophet' of doom and inequality.

            It is critical that when we read scripture passages involving immorality, we delve deeply into the meaning before we come away with a personal judgement or start waving it in someone's face. Simply googling the passage is not enough either. 

            In the end, the final question of anything that you question as moral or immoral, the ultimate arbiter if you will, is whether something is life giving and based in mutual love and respect? Is it life giving to those involved?

       
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgement in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Memorization, critical thinking and conscience.

Matthew 5:21-26

          As sure as I recall memorizing and being drilled on the Baltimore Catechism and the Boy Scout Law I recall having to know the 10 Commandments and being able to regurgitate them at will. All this memorization and focus on adherence to laws may have helped the young canvas that I was but it did not help me think as an adult to exercise the critical thinking necessary to function in the real world. It did not give me the skills for self assessment, reflection and eventual spiritual maturity. All these did come but not at the hands of wrote memorization of rules and laws.

          Another problem with memorization and cataloguing of rules and laws is that once you adhere to them, you can think you are doing everything you are supposed to do to be the person God wishes you to be. This is one of the reasons Jesus needed to come for our salvation. It seemed one of His favorite pastimes was to rail against the pharisees whose adherence to the law gave them the impression they were perfect and above everyone else.

          This passage reflects something that I have a penchant for railing about myself. That is, Jesus only made it more of a challenge for us as believers. No longer is strict adherence to the law the basis for salvation or what makes you a good person.  As I have said, Thou shalt not kill  is much more nebulous now and can involve killing another's Spirit by demeaning, by gossip and a whole range of bad behaviour.

          Rules can guide us but they cannot replace critical thinking and conscience. Everything we do must be tempered by love and the Two Great Commandments.

‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Two masters

Luke 16:1-13

        I have a slightly different take today on this passage that struck me from the last line, you can not serve two masters.

        In my position at work, I am in charge of a bit of accounting. Not money, but people's actions and adherence to laws and regulations. I am a strict taskmaster. There have been several occasions over the years that my scrutiny has uncovered bad behavior and personal addictions. In any arena it is bad, in the  area of health care it is unacceptable and endangers patients. I take my charge seriously.  Invariably a person who abuses substances or some similar behavior starts out on a road believing they can handle it. Soon enough however, they are out of control. If I don't catch them before this point, they soon reveal themselves because they wind up throwing caution and moderation to the wind and in a few cases I did not catch, the person wound up nearly killing themselves. Our sincere hope is to help these people and of course to maintain premier health care. The person who embarks on deviant behavior does not realize this scripture is speaking to them, you cannot serve two masters. Eventually you betray yourself by your actions.

        This is also true of those that try to live a double life of any sort. From government officials to preachers and every day persons, it can't be done forever. You cannot serve two masters.

         Realizing you are gay and find it is often at odds with society or your religious beliefs causes quite a conundrum. The force that God gives us, to guide us, to be who we are is difficult to overcome. This is especially so about being gay as our sexual energy and force is so integral to our being. Many in politics, pastors and preachers who realize they are gay often try to hide it. Perhaps it's "a phase".  Some might say "it's the devil". If you are gay, it is neither, it's a gift. What is problematic is to hide who you are, to try and live a double life. The hiding is the 'drug' that eventually goes viral and gets out of control. You cannot hide who you are. I understand that there are complications of coming out. I still argue that honesty is the best policy. Handling the issues, 'manning up' and handling these issues with dignity and honesty is the best avenue. Living a double life never works - for long. So it isn't the being gay, it's compromising your personal ethics, disrespecting your commitments  and lying that gets you in real and serious trouble. It's what puts your soul in danger of damnation.

          Before embarking on a double road, realize the treachery and deceit involved. Honesty is not always easy but it is the most rewarding and earns the respect of yourself and others.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property.

So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.'

Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.

I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.'

So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'

He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.'

Then he asked another, 'And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.'

And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?

No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

No backsies!

2 Timothy 3:14-17

           I was at a lecture not too long ago and there was time for some reflection and interaction. I don't recall what prompted me to speak but I do recall what I said. I was referencing how much God loves us. I said that when I taught young children in religion classes, one of the things that I tried to convey was how much God loves them. My desire was to get them to know deep inside how much God loves them so that when asked "does God love you?" they would answer YES! as quickly as they would answer with their own name when asked "what is your name? It's about knowing that God loves you intensely, thoroughly and completely in every cell and molecule of your body and with such surety that no matter what happens in life, you know God is with you.

            I attended 20 years of Catholic school. Grammar school, 8; High school, 4: University, 5 and Seminary, 3. This doesn't include the myriad other courses and programs I have attended. It is no wonder I used to say I was a recovering Catholic. I was thoroughly indoctrinated. For all the faults I could mention of the Roman Catholic church, I have to say that they did make me realize that God loves me in every fiber of my being. I know it, I feel it, I can visualize it. This was accomplished by a whole host of means and by some truly wonderful people. But the fact remains, I know that God loves me.

            Fast forward in my life to the day I was able to utter those words, I am gay. It was an awesome day, a powerful day and it put me at great peace and gave me a feeling of wholeness in spite of the drama and turmoil that ensued. The church that helped me know that God loves me now considered me "intrinsically disordered". The Pope said some very beautiful things these past few days and spoke truth that has been longed to be heard by the faithful and the world. I suspect my thoughts that he truly is a holy man are correct. However, his pastoral words do not change doctrine or the actions of the hierarchy that make priests and parishioners live false lives to try and maintain their sexual wholeness and faith at the same time. I had to leave to maintain self respect and true wholeness. So in spite of his beautiful words, the church has not changed and I, and countless others are still considered "intrinsically disordered". Gotta leave my friends, gotta leave. The church is falling in on itself.

             So you have the condemnation of the church and the fact that I know Jesus loves me. What to do? I know God loves me, there are no backsies. There is no going back and saying, well God really doesn't love you, you are a sinner, of the devil and intrinsically disordered.  I also know God made me the way I am. It is in the context of my gayness and all the other attributes and talents that I am graced with that I need to attain wholeness and salvation.

            I you are gay, you need to know that God does indeed love you immensely, completely and without reservation. God loves every fiber of you. Further, it is your gayness, if you will, that will help lead you to salvation. It is a part of you that God made that should be be appreciated and expressed. It is not a call to promiscuity, rudeness or bitchiness. Being gay can be expressed in those ways but they are not of themselves what makes a person gay. If it was, there would be many promiscuous straight men and women who would be gay.

             Quite simply, enjoy being gay and know that God loves you. No backsies.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

The joyful cross of being gay

Mark 8:34-38

          I was asked yesterday about lying about who we are. This (gay) man said he figured 20% of his life was a lie based on being out to so few and lying to friends about what he really had done the night before. That is, hooked up, went on a date with another man etc. I shared with this guy that when I realized I was gay, I thought it was necessary to be honest with everyone whom I cared about. I wasn't going to announce it from the rooftops but I would not shrink away and deny it if asked. Basically, I could not lie. It had  been so hard lying to myself for so many years, I could not continue any lies.

         What I feel this nice young man was avoiding was the cross gay people have to bear. Granted, it is getting easier but there are still many places where lies about being gay are fostered and believed. Coming out can prove quite dangerous. Torch wielding villagers is not far from the truth. But if we are to be followers of our Lord Jesus Christ and if we are simply to be true to ourselves without risk of bifurcating our personalities, we must man-up to who we are. This includes the possibility of standing up for who you are. Holding true to your decency and good nature. It also means you have to bear the burden of saying I am gay and grateful to be so.

         As much as being gay can be a cross to bare because we are misunderstood and maligned, being gay is also a tremendous blessing. I am incredibly grateful to God our creator for allowing me the joys of being Gay. I also am incredibly grateful for all the gifts that God has graced my life with. Family, children, husband and yes, gay sex!  (What that is defined as is my business and nobody else's business).

          If we wish to hold onto our safe little closeted life, we lose life because we deny who we are, we deny who God made us to be, we die because we are stunting the growth to maturity of who we are.  We are called to risk it all for who we are. We are called to bare the cross of being gay in a sometimes homophobic society. We know that there is also ample compensation. Thank God I am gay.

           

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ 

The dirtiest part of the body

Luke 7:36-50

          I began my job over 30 years ago. Although I had a license to practice, I had no experience in my desired specialty and so I was hired as an unlicensed professional. First, it may have seemed demeaning to some, me being licensed and all, but I looked at the long picture. In my lower position I was called to perform many tasks that others would not do. In the process I learned everything from the ground up. I never felt demeaned and had a greater appreciation for the staff that eventually worked for me. Many people think some jobs are too good for them. A good argument can be made for the fact that our economy would collapse if we deported 'illegal aliens' because they actually perform tasks that many people would not do. Many people have the opinion that they are better than others, they are too good and they look down on others. This is wrong on many, many levels. We are all equal and nobody's job is more important than any one else's. The housekeeper and the surgeon both are vital to the operation of our operating rooms. You can't operate without the surgeon and who would want to have their surgery in a dirty OR? We are all equal, we all contribute. No one is better than another.

           In this passage there is a great deal of looking down on people and there are also some excellent examples of how we should act. The woman here, who would be the lowest of the low is submitting herself to the man who is love. She would most likely not do so for the Pharisee whose holiness is born of earthen rules and hypocrisy. The woman knew who was the real deal and who had the real message. She was willing to touch and clean what was considered the dirtiest part of the body, the dirty feet of a man living in a society of sandals and dirt roads.  And Jesus, as high above us as any man can be and certainly more so as our God, let this 'sinner' touch him and bath his feet. Jesus would be considered just as filthy just for allowing her to touch him. Jesus does not seem to be phased by what she appears to be or even what she was. He recognized faith and love. Aren't those the most important qualities? Does stature matter? Is sinfulness even important in the face of God's love? Isn't God's love more powerful than any rules man can make, impose or judge by? As I often quote ( perhaps too sarcastically at times ), didn't the new Pope say "Who am I to judge?

               Sometimes we look down on a whole lot of people and a whole lot of things when we are all on the same level playing field. The only one not on our plane is our God and creator who loves us so very much. Shouldn't we spend more time loving and less times looking down? 

              

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ ‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Stewards and slaves

Luke 3:10-14

           It's a bit hard to believe that in Jesus time there was an attachment to 'things'.  It almost seems like we invented materialism in our time. Perhaps it is part of the human condition and how much money you had and how many sandals you had gave you a sense of worth and power.

            One of the simplist lessons that my dad ever taught me has a direct bearing on this passage. He always said to me that if I had something that someone esle needed or could use, I should give it to them. I think this was a great lesson to me on being generous, caring, appreciating others' needs and not letting things own you. If you are willing to part with them for the sake of some one else' need, you are less likely in my estimation to feel complete ownership of something as opposed to simply having stewardship over those material things. If you think about it, we really own nothing. Hearses don't have luggage racks and even our families are not our possessions. We are merely stewards.

           While we are stewards we are called to not have extreme attachments to things. We need to recognize their value and how they can best be utilized for God's glory. If we have been graced with wealth even while we think we may have 'worked for it', how can that be used wisely?  We need to balance our own care and the care of those entrusted to us ( family and community ).

             When we keep everything in proper perspective we are healthier, happier people. When anything becomes too important or starts to own us, we are enslaved. God has no desire to have us enslaved. Things can easily enslave us. Dare I say it, even sex can enslave us. I don't think Jesus was speaking about this in this passage but it holds true. Everything in proper perspective.

             This doesn't mean we should not enjoy life, things, sex and all of God's gifts. But let love be the most important. Try not to let things get in the way lest we become enslaved. 

         

And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

Doomed!

John 3:16-21

          This passage raises some questions in my mind. Along with another passage from John            that states 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me', I have wondered about the salvation of so called non believers. I find it difficult to believe that Jesus revealed truth only available to those in that section of the planet and at that time. God clearly reveals him or her self in the myriad religions of the world as well as by direct observation of the creations that surround us.  For as  far back as I can recall, I have believed that no one person or group has the entire truth but that we all have pieces of the truth. We all hold our own different perspective of the truth. In this way, we all have something to contribute to the conversation and praise of God, our creator.

          But these statements have troubled me because they seem to indicate otherwise.  I have found some hope in the fact that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Jews were not being told they would not be saved. In fact the Hebrew nation had a lock on it so to speak if the obeyed God's laws with the lens of love. Jesus clearly would tell his followers that mere adherence to laws will not save you. IF you followed the laws of God (not necessarily man) and lived in the light of his love, the Hebrew nation  (in theory) would not have needed Jesus to come to attain our salvation. But God in his infinite love sent His son who willingly died for each and every one of us.  I am sure however there were righteous people who would have already been saved in scriptural views by the fact that they were Jewish, obeyed the law and loved as God has always wished us to.

          I would suggest that  the statement that those who do not believe are condemned already is a true statement that either by out rightly rejecting Jesus or by not living by the principles of God (as witnessed by Jesus' life), yes, one would be condemned. The truths Jesus lived and preached are universal truths that I believe can be found in many religions. The dogmas and rules that followed Jesus  in 'his church' are not necessarily universal truths. Not eating meat on Fridays is not a universal truth. The Assumption is not a universal truth. Primacy of the Roman Bishop is not a universal truth. So many of the man made laws and canons are not universal truths no matter what a church may wish you to believe, no matter how strongly they profess them or  they use them to condemn you. Salvation in my estimation is attainable outside of Jesus (is that a bolt of lightening coming down??) as long as you live by the principles Jesus set forth. In this way, a Buddhist could be saved because even though his good actions may not have come from Jesus specifically, they may be the essence of what Jesus said and lived; it may be by some other name but it may in fact be living the light of Christ, the universal truths of God. After all, Jesus was able to condense down the universal truths to the two great commandments.

            Perhaps what condemns us even more than bad living is arrogance, hypocrisy and fundamental lack of respect for others.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’

For Jewish eyes only?

Acts 10:21-35

          From the beginning Jesus was preaching to the Jewish community. But does this surprise you? Jesus was born into a good Jewish  family. As a real human, his life centered around his faith. He was indoctrinated if you will.  I'm not sure if Jesus was fully aware of his divine nature his whole life or not, but no matter what, I am sure his ministry was geared towards the Jewish community.  And yet, as his ministry progressed he began to reach out to those who were not Jewish, who were marginalized. He reached out to women, spoke to them, had women as friends and reached out to the Roman Centurion to name a few. There are many other examples. What happened?

             It is quite possible that as Jesus became aware of his divine nature, he could not keep his love for creation limited to people of the Jewish faith. God created us all and Jesus' love could not be contained.

          It is similar to a person who is raised in almost any faith, when they are exposed only to that faith. When the person gets older and experiences the world, sees other faiths, other views, they begin to modify their views because they see there are many other people, equally loved by God, searching for the same things they are, albeit by a different set of beliefs.

           How could God contain his love for all of humanity?  And so we hear in this passage that Peter is going to the house of a Centurion and reaching out to those who are not Jewish, the pagans.  Peter reaching out is an outgrowth of the love that Jesus preached and practiced. Jesus reached out to everyone. Paul will take this even further still and the momentous shift in Christianity is that it is open to everyone. Is this a stretch from what Jesus preached? Not really, Jesus himself seems to have grown or expanded his ministry to all those who had faith (in the father).

            Our love should not be limited either. One of the reasons the great monk Thomas Merton was so universally liked and loved was that he could connect with people of many different faiths on a core level. Merton was able to strip away the dogma's and human creations of religion and connect to the fundamental of Christianity (if not all religions) which is the love of God, our significance and purpose which also is to love. Merton was somewhat of a modern Jesus in his ability to reach out to everyone.

             We are all called to reach beyond familiar borders and to be inclusive as Jesus is. The message of love, the power of love, is universal.

         

           

So Peter went down to the men and said, ‘I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?’ They answered, ‘Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.’ So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers^* from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, ‘Stand up; I am only a mortal.’ And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?’

Cornelius replied, ‘Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.” Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.’

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

As 99 red balloons go by

Luke 15:1-10

           There is a message here about how much God loves you, even if you are that lone sheep who may have lost its way.  I also wonder if there isn't an early message here about conformity. All 99 nice little sheep and the one that has strayed. Ah, if only all the sheep would stay together. I have a vision of nice little Christian soldiers. I have visions of the good nuns trying to get the left handed child to conform to the '99' right handers. We are all good little boys and girls. We will try to save the one that has good astray.

          Is it that Jesus is carrying the one sheep back to conformity? Or is it that God is saying to us that he welcomes even the small minority that is different? Is God telling us something about the outcasts? Is God saying something about the fact that we are in fact not all the same? After all, God made us all different. Some of us more obvious, some less. Black, white, brown, red, different talents, different shapes, sizes, temperaments etc.  Jesus called all to his table and associated with the so called outcasts. Were tax collectors automatically guilty of evil by title? Are left handed people 'of the devil' as they used to think? Are they welcome to God's table and banquet in heaven if they do not force themselves to write righty?

         I was thinking of the song, 99 balloons? Those 99 caused a stir, perhaps even a panic. Relatively harmless flying balloons causing a stir. Even those balloons are not the same. Some filled more than others, some tied differently perhaps, some fly high, some fly low. Are we all called to be uniform? And if they are all the same, those 99 caused a stir. Is that a message for us?

        Jesus actions towards the outcasts of society speak of inclusiveness and diversity that are welcomed if not celebrated. Science plays it's role in discovery of God's created world and shows us the diversity of elements, atoms, animals and cultures. 

         Are we called to uniformity? God's world is not so. Jesus' actions were not exclusive but abundantly inclusive. Our God (the sheepherder, the potter, the light) carries the one sheep home to the rest but he lifts it high and carries it on his shoulders elevating the one, celebrating the one.

          If you are the 'one' sheep that feels God has forgotten or you feel lost, know that God always is seeking you out and wishes to carry you, hold you high and celebrate you, not as a faceless sheep of 100 but as a uniquely created and loved creation. Perhaps not as alike as the 99, who knows, but certainly loved and celebrated.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.

And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So he told them this parable:

"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?

When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices.

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.'

Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

A peculiar uncertainty and victory of the cross

Galatians 6:14-18

                Today I celebrate with the rest of the Episcopal Church, Holy Cross Day.  The cross represents suffering and victory to Christian believers.

                My life and my hope are inextricably connected to the cross. The cross of my faith in Jesus as my Lord and savior. That would be pretty obvious, almost as if out of a catechism. But the cross represents so much more. Perhaps it is why I have amassed such a collection of crosses that periodically emblazoned my chest. It represents a yearning of my entire being to be one with the cross.

                  Another connection is the cross of suffering. We all have our share of suffering. I have suffered with the illness and death of parents and friends as many of us do.  I suffered with the pains of a peculiar uncertainty, an undefined void in my life, a hole that I could not identify for 50 years. That emptiness of not knowing who or what I was. I could fill my life with Christ, which I did. The void remained and then the time had come to fill in the gaps in my life. That gap was that I was gay. The discomfort or suffering of not knowing, suppressing or whatever, while not anywhere near as bad as the suffering of our Lord, was what held me hostage all my life. That pain of not knowing, and the joy of knowing I am gay was part the cross I had to bear and then the joy of the cross as well.

                The cross is also a constant reminder of how we change. What was a sign of punishment, shame and intimidation is now our sign of victory, resurrection and new life. How much of life is like this? What seems bad we turn around to newness. We might say simplistically, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

                So the cross unites us with the suffering of Christ and the life we live and some of the crosses that we must bear. The cross also unites us with the victory of Christ in overcoming trials and knowing God stands by our side in all things and at all times. 

May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

     

  

          

Happy, happy, happy, happy talk....

Luke 21:12-15

            In the transition from discovery to almost panic to feeling gloriously free to say "I am gay!", there was a great deal of self reflection and therapy. There was also a great deal of amazement that I didn't realize I was gay for so, so many years. How could I not know?!  I do recall a time when my then wife asked if I was gay and I quite convincingly said no to both her and myself.  When I finally came to the epiphany, years later, that I was in fact gay I had to tell her. A therapist advised that I did not have to tell anyone the truth to anyone. I could simply ask for a divorce, I could ask for a leave of absence from the church without any reasons. To me though being honest with everyone in my life was no different than being honest with myself. I had to tell the truth. It was also suggested I have a script ready. This seemed false and shallow.  What I had to impart was truth and what I had to say was coming from my heart and soul. The words would come to me because I knew God loved me and that God was with me during my entire journey.

              I suppose this is similar to what Luke is saying in this passage. When you have a truth to convey, or when you are confronted, there is no need to lie. No need to sugar coat something. No need to obfuscate. If you have nothing to hide just come out and say what you have to say. If it's the truth, there is nothing to worry about, God is on your side, the words will flow from your heart. If someone is against you, they will be so no matter what you say. If you lie, it just adds to their justification of why to dislike you. As Judge Judy would say, if you tell the truth, you never have to worry about what story you told and to whom. The truth is the truth.

               Just knowing the truth makes you happy and sets you free. If there is a need to say it, the words will be provided by God right from your heart.

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 

3 feet to that extra mile

Luke 6:27-38

          When I had attained the age of reason, someone pointed out something to me that (obviously) stuck because that was probably 35 years ago. That is, when you get to those pearly gates and you utter some justification like "I never cheated on my spouse", don't expect any credit. This person said, and rightfully so, we don't get credit for doing things we are already supposed to do. 

          It's not a matter of "what have you done for me lately"? It's just that we are called to go beyond our comfort zone and go that extra mile.  We are especially called to go that extra mile with people we really would prefer not to walk 3 feet with. Worse, we are called to do so with a truly genuine heart. Our faces are not supposed to look as if we're swallowing Castor oil. 

          How does one feel that way in a true way? How are we converted to have that open, generous, loving heart?  How about getting in touch with the thankful heart within us? If we realize what we have,  it would take us a long way on the path to thankfulness, appreciation and towards a genuinely open heart. Count your blessings sounds trite but it is true. In addition we need to realize that what we are given is not given by the rules of this world, the world of you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.  What we have is given totally freely. God loves us with reckless abandon. God loves us beyond comprehension even when we turn our backs on him. God sees the beauty in us all. This passage calls us to do the same even though it is not by the rules we may have created for ourselves as humans.

          Now we need to go out and love the ones we are least likely to embrace.  We are asked to love by God's rules.

‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

Affirmative actions

Luke 6:20-26

          I returned from a retreat on Affirmative Action only to have my sense of inequality heightened. The reading today speaks to the differences we have in our world. The rich and the poor, the hungry and the (too) well fed; those that have much to weep about and those that seem as if life is their oyster and nothing bad ever happens. Such disparities are a part of life and as Jesus points out, we will always have the poor.

            Quite unfortunately, the disparities of rich and poor are often equated with black and white.  It still shows that even with a President of African American heritage, much needs to be accomplished in the way of equality and stereotypes. Today we remember Harry Thacker Burliegh, an African American classical composer, arranger, and professional singer who was soloist at St. George's Episcopal Church in New York City (1894 ). By all accounts he was well ahead of his time and so was the church in accepting him as soloist. It was not an easy choice apparently and it was not unanimous. The deciding vote was cast by one J.P. Morgan. To me this is an indication that we must challenge our stereotypes in every direction. The disparities of rich and poor, well fed and hungry speaks to the obvious I suppose but what of poverty of spirit? What of thirst for knowledge and hunger for equality?

             If we have learned anything, God has created us all in his image. That does not mean Jesus was a beautiful blue eyed blond who had ripped abs hanging on the cross. Au contrere, he was most likely ruddy, dirty, short, olive skinned and looked more like a terrorist that we might envision. The image of God is not something we can really comprehend though we like to see him/her in human terms simply to give a point of reference. His image and likeness though are the best attributes humanity can aspire to and that Jesus preached, pure love, letting the light of your creation shine forth. It is also the ability to forgive and share equally all the gifts we have to offer with the same passion and freedom God graces us with His love.

           Sometimes we think we are poor and they are rich or that we have deep troubles and the other chap has it made. I think it behooves us to be more concerned about examining ourselves and giving freely in Gods name than worrying about how others are. There will always be better off and worse off than we are. That is no excuse to judge or not participate in the life of love and charity that is God's image.

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.

Mice mazes and cheese

James 1:2-5

          There is a man named Bob that I used to pray with regularly. It was part of a weekly program where we reviewed the Sunday readings and discussed them. One of the many gifts he gave me was a pearl about issues we may have with our faith. He was speaking more of rubrics and dogmas but he'd say that if something was troubling you and causing your faith (in Jesus) to faulter, put that issue aside. Let it be.  At some point you can come back to it when you may understand that it is really unimportant or you may discover the true answer. By no means should a single issue keep you away from the knowledge that God loves you.

           Have you ever seen a mouse in a maze? They often place a piece of cheese on the other side of the wall from the mouse. The mouse can smell it but can't quite figure  out he has to go sideways, right or left to get the cheese. It's as if the mouse is so mezmerized by the thought of the cheese, it can't think stright.

           How often  are we like the mouse or get fixated on some issue in our lives? It may indeed be a big issue that we don't understand. It may be the death of a loved one. It may be a senseless death we've heard of. It may be an article of faith we simply can't grasp. Sometimes we say "I don't understand" so much we loose our faith or forget what is truly important. It may seem silly but the most important thing to know and perhaps say (and repeat) is "Jesus loves me".

         I would not want to minimize the problems we encounter in life. I do know that whatever we are going through, we do need to KNOW that God loves us and is with us always. If we can move something of  concern into proper focus, we can more easily move forwward in faith ( and life ).

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

Grains of wheat

John 12:24-28

          Yesterday I wrote about being malleable, being able to change and dying to be reborn.  We have the example of Jesus who died only to rise 3 days later. That seems obvious and frankly we might over look it in our daily routine, so absorbed with our tasks, not seeing the forest for the trees so to speak.

          However, if we look, we might actually take note of some other examples that are before us.  Since the passage today mentions a grain of wheat that falls to earth and dies, lets look at nature.  Fall is nearly upon us and we will be inundated with leaves dying and falling from the trees. The appearance of death will be ever present before us. Even in that dying, there is great beauty. The colors of autumn bring  inspiration and awe to our eyes and minds. A few months from now it will be darker earlier, the landscape will be bleak, almost like a reminder of death. Cold, dark, unforgiving winter. The three days to Jesus' rise to glory will take us months of winter. And then it will come again, spring. New life. If we take note of the butterfly, we'll see a cocoon, seemingly like death but it yields to new life. It is a beautiful life too, colorful, gentle, majestic. And from the cold hard soil of winter, blossoms will apear, blossoms of new life and new hope that is a sign of our world and who we are.

            We are all aware of people that come in and out of our lives. Some actually die, others move away, figuratively or literally. We are left to die in some respects but we move on to new relationships, new life. We are enriched by the friends and family we had and we have new family, new friends. A cycle of dying and new life.

           To a gay person, one of the most traumatic things can be coming out. This truly is new life. Of course there can be death. As I said, some friends and even family may be lost. They may not appreciate the growth and the courage to profess proudly who they are, the way God made them. There is a real dying to the old self and rising to new life.

           In more worldly terms, there are old jobs and new jobs, new places to live and a whole host of deaths that we come across. It is ours to see, experience and grow from. Each death brings a new life.

           What have you died from lately? When have you allowed yourself to fall like a grain of wheat only to be reborn into a new creation?  Have you dwelled on the death or on the new life?

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’

Like a moth into a flame

Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Luke 14:25-33

        We all die. Some people die long protracted deaths. Some people die in the blink of an eye like a moth seeking the flame that bursts into a flash of light and is gone. With certain conditions, I oddly enough would argue to be the moth.

         I have spoken in the past about people that have so fixed their minds that their bodies may wind up living to 90 but their minds really died many, many years earlier. You might call these people crotchety. They cease to have the ability to adjust, learn or grow. This is a slow protracted death. It is not unlike a potter who makes a vessel that is set to dry, to crack and become fragile, easily broken.

         What we really need to do is constantly die, to grow, to change. We need to be a constantly remolded by our potter and we must be willing to be molded. When we cease to be open to that remolding, we become hard, cracked and die that slow protracted death.  So we need to remain malleable to God's hands. We need to be reshaped as we live, dying in the blink of an eye to our old selves, renewing life, growing and changing. The metaphor of a potter and clay is so beautiful in terms of our lives in the hands of the true potter, God.

             I am not one to promote reckless behaviour like the moth that extinguishes its life in an instant. I respect life and see the beauty all around us. We must however realize that perhaps one constant of life is change and we should embrace it as a gift from God, the potter. We should be willing die over and over again. In so doing we actually do create a brighter light of life and love of our own,  a relatively faint glow reminiscent of the supreme light. Hopefully, prayerfully, when our life truly does come to any end, we will have been molded into something resembling the true light of Christ, having been fully human and as close to the divine as we can be.

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

"Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words."

So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.

The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the LORD came to me:

Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it,

but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it.

And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it,

but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it.

Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them,

"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?

If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.

So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.