Once dead, always alive

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

            We are made in the image and likeness of God. Perhaps God is all love, neither male nor female.  Let me paraphrase the Monks of the Weston Priory who sing: Seek the Lord while He may be found, come to him, while he is still near. As high as the sky is above the earth, so far above our ways the ways of the Lord!'  While we are made in God's image, God is so far above us. Beyond our comprehension. God is not bound by anything. He bears none of the limits we carry, physicality, time, presence. He can be present at all times, in all places to all people. Pretty impressive. It is believed that when we die we will share more deeply in some of His awesomeness if you will. We will not be bound to the extent we are now and we will not have corporeal bodies as we do now.

             It is this attachment that we have for bodies, physicality and time that I approach the topic of today as All Sous Day.  Our minds and our hearts are drawn to those today who have passed through this life but who enjoy the presence of God which we hope for when our time comes to pass. Still, we can actually ache and we miss the ones with whom we have shared life. Beloved parents, friends siblings and countless others that have touched our lives in innumerable ways. The love that we shared is still alive and is timeless as God is. What's wonderful is that because God is timeless, we have a 'living' connection to everyone who has passed on to  God. 

              When you think about the ones we actually knew and loved, we can smile knowing that they are in the presence of God and with God they are still present to us. The love of life still lives. The memories are precious gifts that we can retain, mementos if you will of cherished moments not really lost at all. With God all things are possible and we can even share in the remembrance of our ancestors and saints that came before us, that sacrificed for us, that forged forward in faith for their children and family (us).

         All souls day is an awesome reminder of the Glory, power and limitless wonder of God. It is also a reminder of the presence of our loved ones still in our lives but have shed their earthly bodies to be in the glorious presence of God. In this way I'd like to put down my own list of some people that I recall, people that I love and who have loved me, people in my life that have gone to their eternal reward.

Isabelle, Robert T., Robert G., Anna C Schuster, Anne, Dorothy, George, Jeanne, Harriett, Fred, Sarah Dougan, Pat Kollmer, Angelo, Alma, John McGuire, Michael and so many others.

       Recall those whom you loved, helped you be who you are. People who were a sign of God's love to you in this world. Smile and know they are with our creator.  Thank you God. 

          

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’
‘Where, O death, is your victory?
   Where, O death, is your sting?’
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. 

True to be, you and me.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

            Those who know that I am a champion of self deceit, having lied (quite convincingly) to myself for about 50 years that I was straight, will attempt to write about sincerity of heart and truthfulness. There is something very attractive and perhaps mesmerizing about someone who is very at peace with themselves and who has the presence to recognize their own motivations, why they react the way they do and essentially see what is happening in life as it unfolds before them.  I know I miss a great deal and it is only with hindsight that I see as much as I do. I am not one of those people.

            There is one thing that I know I do have and I believe it is very important. That is, sincerity. I may make plunders a plenty but my sincerity and honesty are my salvation. My intentions are good, the follow through, not always so good. There is no pretense or haughtiness. I try to be as true to myself as possible.

              What are you supposed to do? How are you supposed to act?  Paul had presence, surety and intense conviction. He tenderly cared as God does so for us. Perhaps that is the origin of his zeal and his love in his travels. He saw different cultures, different communities, different ways of living and had the ability without lies, deceit or greed to love people purely and profess the love of God for everyone which is the purest love of all. It seems no one escaped his embrace. Christianity flourished.

              We can act in ways that mask the pure love of God that wishes to shine forth from us. We can lie. We can focus on the worldly and what we wear and what we do.  Actions, mask and 'things' do not make us holy, present to the moment or a better you. Self deceit is horrible.

               When we dig deep inside to find out everything we can about who we are and are true to that enormous gift of self from God, we can be all that more present to the moment. We have surety, conviction and are freer to love ourselves and others. I think Paul knew who he was and how much he was loved. I am keenly aware of who I am ( surely not perfect ) and that God loves me. That gives me peace and the ability to love.

           

             

            

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Heaven on earth.

Luke 13:18-21

          What is heaven like?  I have heard so many analogies in my lifetime. Some seem comical. Some make it an exclusive club open only to the best of Roman Catholics and no one else. Heaven has even been described as this earthly life we live. Since no one has really come back to explain it all, aside from lurid jokes or soothsayers, I have no problem putting in my own two cents worth.

          I like the idea of a heaven where everyone has a cozy home and garage big enough for a stable of the cars you've always wanted.  I like the idea once put forth that heaven has no speed limits. I also like the New Yorkeresque vision portrayed by a white haired God driving a classic motorcar at high speed, His beard flowing back in the wind. 

          There is also the vision of heaven on earth. I believe I can see that clearly from my vantage point in life. Although I have seen my share of sorrow and loved ones who have departed, I am graced with a most wonderful life. A husband who is the most wonderful man in the world, the love of a cherished cat, wonderful 'children',  joyous grandsons and family. Just a truly wonderful life.  But just as it is, it seems to me it might be likened more to a good crusty bread, warm from the oven. What of the leavening that this passage speaks of?  I think it refers to the idea that I am not an isolated world of my spouse and immediate family. We are all brothers and sisters here. No matter how glorious my life is and how wonderful my immediate family is, I am called (we are all called) to reach out and expand the love that is in our hearts and that is in those families.  It is a virus of the most positive variety where we 'infect' each other and the entire world with love and peace. Heaven here on earth.

            I can imagine, with props to John Lennon, a life filled with love. I can imagine a world filled with love. A world where all peoples have respect for each other no matter where they have come from or who they are. Where I can walk down a street lovingly, hand in hand with my husband just as freely as any straight couple does without any thought except the love in their hearts. I imagine a world where there is health and well being for everyone. I imagine a world where hatred is gone and the word itself falls from the dictionary because no one knows what it means, it has no reference in society.  I imagine a world where we walk with the animals like Dr. Doolittle or St. Francis. Where animals are looked at as fellow travellers and not a meal.

            Heaven on earth? If we wish it so. If we love and if we choose to spread our love and not let it be contained. Let the yeast rise. Let the love rise. Heaven on earth.

He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’

And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

A big enough task

Ephesians 4:1-16

          What a wonderful, earthy and powerful homily this morning in church. It had all to do with "us" and "them" and how we respect not only every one else but in so doing, respect ourselves. So often, even in seemingly harmless ways, we demean and question others' judgements and lives. This bolsters our own value, or so we think. 

         What we need to do is respect every one else's opinion and journey. I did not realize I was gay until I was about 50 years old. Amazing, I know. What could I say to someone who doesn't understand or who cannot deal with it. Could I condemn someone for not understanding something in a quick manner when it took me 50 years? Every one's journey to wholeness is different. We all see things differently, have differing opinions and points of view. Our position isn't stronger or more correct if we tear down someone else's opinion or position. We need to fully understand the meaning of respect and concern for our own person growth.

          I really am thinking about our own personal growth, respecting who we are and who God made us to be.  I am sure however that you can see what this disrespect has done to our own political landscape. We are schizophrenic, troubled and dysfunctional. It really isn't that different on a personal level when we cannot accept ourselves and accept others' journey to wholeness.

          Our concern for others should not be that we are doing it right or I am right and they are all wrong. It should be a concern about ourselves and respecting others. Other people may in fact be making mistakes or may be wrong. They may even act wrong. That is their right and that is their journey. We are responsible for our own journey and our own actions and that is a big enough task.

          

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said,
‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
   he gave gifts to his people.’
(When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

The first 10%, is that net or gross?

Sirach 35:12-17

          This is the time of year in my old church where the pastor would speak of money. To his credit he only spoke of money once a year. He tried to encourage people to make a conscious decision about giving to the church. It should not be an afterthought. It should be budgeted like so many other bills we have because in fact the church has many of those same bills. What parishioner doesn't like a comfy seat in an air conditioned church? Who doesn't want teachers to direct classes or a music director or a director of outreach? We had all of those and more. It was a great faith community of 5000 families, no mortgages on anything and some sterling services. 

          The word our pastor invoked was 'tithing'. This is more associated with fundamentalist churches since it is in fact mentioned 32 times in scripture. To get a middle class Catholic community to even come close to tithing is brill. Our pastors version was simply to strive for five percent because he 'knew' that most people give generously to many causes outside of church which he reasoned would make up that other 5%.  Again, though, he only asked that you to strive for 5.

          I don't think there is any question that we should support the church or some form of ministry that we can embrace. In a parish that has bills and outreach and that is not attempting to make a profit, I think giving is crucial.

          Just as we are to use all the talents we have been graced with in intellect or artistry, we are to use what money God has graced us with even if we have fallen prey to the notion that "I earned it". 

          Here's the rub, why do we really give? We all have had horrible or troubling things happen in our lives. If we haven't we certainly know someone who has and we know it can happen to us also in the blink of an eye. Do we give as an insurance policy? Do we expect to give so that God doesn't 'zap' us , punish or so that he keeps us safe from harm?  If this is our intention in giving I think it is good for the church (monetarily) and that is all. When we ask "is the 5% (or 10%) net or gross"? we are completely missing the point. If we feel a desire in our hearts to say thank you to God then even 10% would simply be a starting point. 

         What this passage conveys is that we should give with a free and a full heart as much as we can. Not as an insurance policy but because we are extremely thankful and we wish to love and help others as much as we can. As much as we have been blessed by God.  Think about all we have been graced with. Think of those who have not been so graced, who have little or no opportunity for change or who are slaves of one sort or another. Are they not our brothers and sisters? Are we not to help them as much as we can in any way we can? 

          So strive for five but dig deep in your pockets. Better yet, write a check or auto-pay.

Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford.

For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.

Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it;

and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no partiality.

He will not show partiality to the poor; but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan, or the widow when she pours out her complaint.

Dig deep

Luke 6:43-49

          Almost everyone knows about building a proper foundation. In this post Sandy world, people know all about proper foundations even if that means building up (on stilts) to assure a proper foundation. The idea though of digging for a proper foundation is quite appropriate.

          Faith that is shallow is not much faith at all. As I have said many times and just this very week, faith is not born of rules and rubrics. They can enrich faith but they most assuredly are not faith unto themselves.

           So what makes ones faith deeper? Good word, deeper. Deeper is the word that describes how to build a solid foundation for a house and it also describes the actions we similarly must take to increase and make our faith more solid. Two things comes to mind that would be especially important. One is to 'dig' deeply into the scriptures, the words of God. While not literal, they convey messages of love, hope, real life and peoples struggles to maintain their faith in the presence of war, slavery and illness. God's holy word is not limited to Hebrew and Christian scripture either. There are many sources of wisdom and knowledge of our creator. One could easily argue that even a science book is increasing our knowledge and love of God. Discovery of His world and its complexities only fills me with more awe. The volumes of Gods word from every corner of the globe must be 'dug' into with thirst and zest for knowledge of Him.

         On another level we must 'dig' deeply within ourselves to increase our faith. That requires quiet introspection, self examination and if necessary, the help of a professional guide (read: therapist). I had gone so far in my thirst for God. Weekly prayer meetings, classes, courses and eventually a Masters degree in Pastoral Theology. But as helpful as it was I myself needed more help, a guide to help me dig deeper within myself to increase my self knowledge. This self knowledge became a source of joy and a source of thanksgiving to God. Knowing yourself more completely is a source to deepen your faith because it helps you to discover the beautiful creation that God made in you. Therapy helps peel away some of the layers we build ourselves or that society helps us build that keep us from being our whole and holy selves.

     The seeds of faith ( and love ) are a thirst to know more deeply the one that loves you. To deepen our faith we need to have a thirst to know Him. That includes increasing our knowledge of God, our knowledge of ourselves and yes, our knowledge of others. In the end our lives will also be judged by how we loved others. In loving others both on a broad scale and on a purely intimate one, we know God more deeply by seeing an image of of Him in how beautiful and life giving relationships and love is.

       Dig deep.

‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’ 

Settling out of court

Luke 12:54-59

          I am sure about a great many things. The most important being that God loves me and that he sent His son to save me. But there are some things I am not as certain of. So please indulge me while I seem to go a bit astray here and do some mental meanderings

          I once read a book called Good Goats and from that book I became less certain of the concept of hell that I grew up and believed in. I also began to wonder if there is redemption beyond the grave. Who knows for sure? It's a fascinating topic and I really don't think indulging in some academic discussions about such things is wrong. The fundamental truths of Jesus still stand as does His love for me, for all of us.

          But what if as this reading suggests we should settle our cases out of court so to speak, lest we incur the wrath of the judge who would throw us in jail and make us pay every last penny? In theological terms, we should settle our ignorance, hate and arrogance over our opinions of the Bible and God's love before we die because God might not be so forgiving. The evidence to love is pretty plainly before us. If we are any kind of follower of Christ worth our salt, we believe in unconditional love, especially for the sinner ( which is all of us ) and we should sincerely believe in forgiveness. We can't judge lest we be judged. So before we go off judging everyone or anyone, we better settle up with our professed beliefs before we die. Because if you believe in that kind of God ( the kind like the judge in today's passage ), you will be held strictly accountable for your ways. So before you go off spouting Bible quotations like you wrote it yourself and think you know the intent of the passage, or before you go off spewing hateful words against gays, or Jews or Muslims or Buddhists, take note, this is NOT what God intends. This is NOT why Jesus came to earth, lived, loved, suffered, died and rose for. 

          I don't believe in the God I grew up with, the one who marks down all our mistakes and sins in a big book only to confront us with them when we die. I believe in a loving merciful God who would do, and has done, everything for us. Still, I can plainly see the message Jesus gives us and I am trying, I am really trying to spend my life 'settling up' with my mistakes and sins. I do this not because I will be judged so much as because it is how He has shown us to live.

           

           

He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.’

Driving tips

Psalm 37

     Sometimes when I am driving along, something I love to do, I will run across a driver acting badly. These are offenses of commission and omission. Driving way too fast, crossing double lines, merging thoughtlessly when the sign says yield, weaving in and out of traffic with no signals or concern. I have let these infractions, these careless drivers get to me. I am not aggressive myself but it angers me. I have been known to yell at them even though my window are all rolled up.

      I am using this passage as means to look at my own reaction to others and as a metaphor for life.  Where is my trust? In whom do I find consolation and salvation?

      In my life I have experienced the lows and highs of living. Death, illness, the birth of children and grandchildren, true love and earthly joys that mirror heavenly ones, travel, good food and great friends. I have been so wonderfully graced and it should be a constant reminder of what is important and who is actually in control.  Rather than get upset over anything, large or small, I should live my own life as best I can and let God sort out the rest. While this is not a call to abandon activism, far from it, it is a call to let go of the things I cannot change, work fervently for the things I can help with and pray even more fervently for the things I cannot. ( Sounds familiar? thank you Saint Francis ).

       In living a life in this manner, that is, recognizing the gifts I have been graced with and not fretting over the small stuff and the stuff I cannot change, God promises to grace me even more. I cannot fathom what that would be, I have been so graciously blessed already. But graced I am.

       So the challenge in more worldly terms will be what words flow from my mouth the next time someone passes me on the right shoulder because the rest of us are driving too slow. The resolve might be to pay close attention to the road for myself and thank God for the constant assistance and love I am rendered.

      

Of David.
Do not fret because of the wicked;
   do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
   and wither like the green herb. 

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
   so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the Lord;
   trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
   and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
   do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
   over those who carry out evil devices. 

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
   Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
   but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. 

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
   though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
   and delight in abundant prosperity. 

The wicked plot against the righteous,
   and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
   for he sees that their day is coming. 

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
   to bring down the poor and needy,
   to kill those who walk uprightly;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
   and their bows shall be broken. 

Better is a little that the righteous person has
   than the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
   but the Lord upholds the righteous. 

The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
   and their heritage will abide for ever;

Rules as tools

Matthew 12:1-14

              There was a time when you entered a Roman Catholic church, the first thing that you did was make the sign of the cross and dipped your fingertips in holy water and once again, made the sign of the cross. Heaven forbid you should forget this there was usually someone around to remind you of your failing as if you'd go straight to hell if this simple obligation was not met. There are a whole array of such practices that Roman Catholics follow and people buy into them as if they are passed down directly from God. There was a cleric I once knew who had his own arsenal of personal acts of piety. He had all sorts of gestures, davening and and gestures. I found it sad that there would be at least a whole generation from this one parish that began to act the same way and would think it was actually part of the rituals.

                  I understand the point of some of these gestures. The Roman Catholic church is rich with them. What they are supposed to do is enrich your faith. They are not supposed to be your faith. People have made that mistake over and over again.

           Here in this passage the Apostles are breaking yet another rule that the Pharisees have set up. The rule is undoubtedly backed up by logic of some kind, some alleged divine revelation or an interpretation of scripture. I am sure it made many people feel holy. But lets get a grip on reality. Jesus was able to synthesize down the ten commandments to two. Admittedly the are very powerful and are all encompassing but they do not include eating meat on Fridays, davening, holy water or what exact and precise formula is said to invoke the Holy Spirit during the consecration. Yet there are still people who would suffer martyrdom for some of these man made rubrics. They seem to instill such fervency and righteousness. They give comfort because they relieve people of judgements and the use of your brain to assess what love is or how to express it in the world in which we live.

         I will be one of the first to say that respect for ( institutional ) God has dramatically decreased but has spirituality? Are we less holy for eating meat on Friday or appreciating the marvelous beauty of God's created world instead of dipping our fingers in holy water? Is God consigned to a building? Are rules the means to salvation, holiness and our own wholeness?

         Somewhere in the middle is a personal decision about respecting God, using rules as tools to appreciate and express holiness and what God really wants from us. I believe that is a personal relationship and expressions of love for God and loving all our brother and sisters on our journey. Otherwise use the rules as tools but not as laws.

At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’

He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?’ so that they might accuse him. He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.’ Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

First Adam, last Adam

1 Corinthians 15:41-50

          And so the story of scripture goes that Adam ate the forbidden fruit  thus casting the first couple out of paradise. Of course the idea of that very first Adam and Eve seems more of a figurative story. The story illustrating from where we came (God) and that it was our own choices that take us away from our creator. We essentially threw ourselves out of paradise. This is the essence of the concept of original sin. Of course there is another concept that while our choices do take us away from God in our selfishness and perhaps arrogance, we really do not have original sin. What we have is  an 'original blessing' if you would follow what Matthew Fox tries to convey in his book of the same name. It's a book I read long ago when I was advised by a Catholic cleric that I was mature enough spiritually not to take it too seriously. I mean really, original blessing? I don't believe that the idea of an original blessing denies the fact that it is we who have a propensity to turn our backs on God. This is the essence of sin but we are not born in sin. We are born in love and holiness and in God's image.

          So what of this last Adam? It is entirely possible to look at Jesus as the last Adam. The one who came to redeem us by saying yes to God, to the point of giving up his own life for us. Jesus is allowing us to enter back into holiness and thus to paradise.  Jesus, fully human, shows us that it is indeed possible for us to say yes to God. That in spite of what goes on the world and the presence of evil, we can say yes to God, achieve holiness and wholeness. Jesus is the last Adam, the template the ultimate lover of man (and woman).

           Whoever we are, whatever we are, we are all created with the original blessing. Whenever I would Baptize a baby I always tried to convey the concept of how this child is a blank slate insofar as not being tainted by the concerns and evils of the world. Whatever the congregation saw as wrong in the world, this child was a opportunity for us make the world a better place, bring the child closer to the wholeness love and perfection God created us to have.  The last Adam gives us that chance in Baptism and again every day.  

          Be the best person you can be, gay, straight, black, white,man, woman or somewhere in between.  The last Adam makes it all possible. 

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory.

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Two boats and a helicopter

Matthew 11:16-24

           Yesterday on the way into church I met one of the parishioners and we walked in together exchanging pleasantries. How are you? I am good, good! Two goods? Yes. and you? I am am good, good also she said and I have much to be thankful for. I am blessed. So many people have things much worse and such troubles.

            I was thinking about that for quite a while on my own and again when I read this passage. I have gone through what some would consider rough times. The illness of both my parents and ultimate passing comes immediately to mind. I've often said it was the roughest 10 years of my life. But the kicker is, they were very graced years. Being present to those parents and the love and support all around made them much, much better.  It is no different now, in that life goes on and their are illnesses and problems all around. I see so much suffering. The point is, I do not see enough thankfulness and praising for all the good things in peoples lives.

             Some people are so focused on simply "me" and my problems that there is very little recognition of all the good that exists in their lives.  Life is going on and they miss so much that God offers because they are so into all the negative, the "woe is me" syndrome. I wonder if they feel that when they get to heaven there will be a special place for them for all of that suffering. That's when I thought of this passage.

           I am reminded of the story of a person trapped in a flood who dismisses two boats and a helicopter telling the rescuers "God will save me!" When the inevitable happens and they drown they meet God and say 'you didn't save me?' only for God to respond "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what else did you want?" We can get so wrapped in our problems even as people of faith and fail to realize God's presence in our lives and all the gifts He graces us with. 

         God is always knocking on our door, approaching, helping, gracing our lives. We have to do nothing more than to open our eyes to His presence, answer the door and let him (her) in.

          Let us sincerely take time to be thankful and try to see all the gifts God has graced us with rather than all the trials and tribulations we are faced with.

‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
   we wailed, and you did not mourn.”
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’

Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
   No, you will be brought down to Hades.
For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’

Holy roots

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

          Well, here it is, an omaj to the Roman Catholic church. Not something you would hear from someone whom they consider to be "intrinsically disordered". None the less, this reading begs me to write such good words. If not the hierarchy and the bureaucratic BS, then of the faithful and the true essence of the church that began when Jesus 'handed' Peter the keys to his church on this earthly plain.

          For whatever faults we assign (legitimately) to the Roman Catholic church and no matter how well deserved they may be, there are truths and history that we all can be grateful for. Not everything was as bad as some of us recall. The Spirit of God is alive in spite of the their apparent efforts to quash the life out of the church with all the rules and rubrics that even Jesus himself would have railed against.

          So what of religious roots? Well, who was it who taught me to pray when I had a yearning to be close to God? Who saw that I was different and filled me with love and support so that I knew I was a beloved child of God? Who taught me the rights and wrongs? Who is it that gave me the tools to study scripture and seek out God's words and their meaning? Who gave me the wisdom to seek out the real meaning of passages and not let the literalist bible bingo-ists keep my brain and love closeted? These are all personal notations. God has placed good people in my path, in my life and graced me with the ability to see what exactly I have so graced with.

           That sounds more like an omaj to God and the faithful loving people that have graced my life. So what of the actual RCC? I'm not sure how God judges history since he is not bound by our cute concept of time. None the less, it is He who will put into balance the evils perpetuated by institutional churches and the good deeds and intent of some of their actions.  Sincere efforts at wisdom and knowledge. Sincere seeking of God's plan. The artifacts and history of a people whose sole goal is to love and serve God. In many ways the evils and violence that we can read about in Hebrew scripture is not unlike the barbarism perpetuated by the Roman Catholics in inquisitions and the crusades.  For all the bad, there is in fact a great deal of goodness. Even today, in their ignorance and will to power, there are good actions of the faithful whose only goal is to be good, loving children of God.  In so many ways the people of God are considerably more advanced than the hierarchy.

        But these are the roots of my faith and so many others. Somehow, our faith and dignity cannot be squashed in spite of being told we are intrinsically disordered or the supposed real cause of the pedophilia scandals. That kind of blame game only highlights the evils of the institutional church. The Spirit is alive and so out of whatever evils the Church may foster or perpetuate comes whole peoples who can sift out that it is God's love that truly matters. We can place aside all the 'stuff' for the the fundamental truths that we are beloved children of God with innate goodness who are called to holiness and wholeness just like everyone else.

         

     

          

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.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:

proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.

For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires,

and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.

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

The rebel template

John 4:21-26

            Oh I am such a rebel. I snatched verse 21 to go along with today's scripture passage because I thought it would be better that way.  Actually the real rebel was Jesus. He was the hippy for his day. He may have invented asceticism by heading out into the desert alone, communing with nature, with his Father the creator and the animals, eating honey and wild locusts. It's not just that he embraced what might eventually be called the life in a hermitage, his whole life was rebellious. Well, it may have looked rebellious. Jesus' life was actually a template and a passport to new ideas, new ways to look at things and most importantly a way to live...and die. He was a human being, fully alive, fully engaged.

           Jesus is enjoying his solitude as the Apostles head into town for provisions. Jesus is in an area essentially out of bounds for any good Jew. This is Samaria, the riffraff of the Jews, they are less than Jews.  The Samaritans, in spite of what we know now from the story of the Good Samaritan, were looked down on as worse than women. Women enjoying one of the lowest ranks of society. Perhaps it would be a toss up.  Here though, Jesus is enjoying the company of a Samaritan woman. What are you doing?? You will be unclean! You will perhaps give this woman a sense of false hope that she has some innate value and might say someting worth hearing. 

          This would be lesson one to anyone with ears to hear. Women do have innate value equal to men and some might argue (well) that they enjoy a higher wrung on the ladder of creation. Not only are we all equal, Jesus is preparing the world for the notion that women are equal, have equal thoughts, equal rights and equal rights to serve. This meeting with the samaritan women as well as the other stories of Martha, Mary, Mary Magdalene and others show what Jesus' intent really was.  That might be enough of a message but the rebel has more to say. (Jesus the rebel, not me the rebel).

           The idea that we would worship neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem and that those that worship him must worship in spirit and truth is quite telling too. While not negating the importance of communal worship ( He did after all install our eucharistic feast ),  Jesus speaks to the presence of God everywhere. Not just on a mountain, not just in Jerusalem and then not just in Church, in Rome or in a shrine. Further, what is it that we worship? rules and rubrics? Do we attend to ancient tradition and laws that give power to men and stiffle our spiritual growth? Laws and tradition are fine so far as they go but what God wants is our created spirit fully alive and engaged as Jesus showed us. If that is the spirit of a rebel then so be it. With love in his heart Jesus showed us what the spirit of living is all about. Jesus' life was actually a template and a passport to new ideas, new ways to look at things and most importantly a way to live. 

Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is speaking to you.’

No words are really necessary.

Matthew 11:1-6

           When John sends his own disciples to ask Jesus if He is 'the one', Jesus doesn't simply say yes. It would have been so easy I suppose if he did. His answer could have been laid out as plain as can be. "Yes, I am the Messiah".

            Arguments can be made that Jesus did not say the actual words because he knew what the result would have been, a much earlier crucifxtion. Jesus himself noted during his ministry that it was 'not yet his time'. Still Jesus does answer to the faithful in search of the truth. John knew what the answer was from Jesus' statements the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 

            How many times do we ask or even demand the answer to a question? Think of all the people in our lives, the situations we find ourselves in at home, at work, in the world? How many questions would we like answered?  I can't help but think back to that well known expression "they will know we are Christians by our song". The answer to so many of our questions are in how we act and what we actually see. Forget about words most of the time, what do we see? What answers can we discern by actions?

            Let's look at gay marriage. Most of us know a gay couple, perhaps they have been together 5 or ten years. Some have been quietly living exemplary lives together for 30 and 40 years or more. When someone speaks out against gay marriage, when a church makes pronouncements about how it will harm hetero marriages, people know the truth by the vibrant and committed lives they see in the gay couples they know. No words are really necessary, most people see the truth. There is no difference between the love of a hetero couple or a gay couple. Asking if gay marriage is acceptable and hearing some convoluted explanation why it is wrong does not ring as true as what we see in the  loving committed lives of those we know. 

              On another vein, what are the answers when we ask does the Catholic church care about the children and victims of pedophilia?  Many words are uttered,  positions articulated and yet the answer is plain without words. In fact, the actions speak louder than words. The answer is that there is a fundamental lack of love and a concern for the victims  and that any concern is more for the institution than the victims or individuals.

              I am envisioning an old couple who may  have fallen out of the habit of saying I love you after so many years. Yet their actions to please each other in opening a car door, taking out the trash, making the bed 'just so' or hundred of others small actions say it louder than words ever could. 

           One of my favorite expressions as you may already know is 'to preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary'. This is the essence of the response that Jesus gave to John the baptizer. Judge by the actions. No words are really necessary. 

Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

Messengers from John the Baptist

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’ 

I am who I am, He's got my back ( you are who you are, He's got your back )

Romans 8:35-39

           "I am who I am" is a statement often associated with defiance. A statement that says I make no excuses for my bad behavior, no excuses for the bad decisions I have made. I refuse to repent. I turn my back on God.

           Rather than an act of defiance, "I am who I am" can be a point of knowledge and liberation. It often takes a lifetime but hopefully, prayerfully, you catch a good glimpse of who you are. It is the person God created you to be and seeing yourself, warts and all, free of the disturbances caused by what society wants or what society presses on you. Sometime this will make you seem the rebel. Sometimes you will be odds with society or the religion of your birth. Once you realize who you are, as I say, warts and all, you are free to explore, grow, celebrate and love.

           Who am I? Among other attributes, I am a gay man. I am artistic and emotional. I have the ability to see many facets of a situation. I have great vision. I see things that many others cannot see or do not want to see. I see possibilities. I see God in the air. In creation. In rocks. In foxes and bears. In orchestra and songs. In a hug. In sex. My vision is pretty amazing, eh?  This though is the short list of who I am. But armed with this knowledge I can say "I am who I am".  This is not an apology then but a celebration! of the life God created in me.

         Once I have this knowledge I have the ability to say "I am who I am" no matter how cocky or arrogant that seems. I say it knowing that nothing in this life can separate me from the love of Christ. I may stumble as Christ did on the way of the cross but I can get up knowing His love is still infused in me, loving me, supporting me.

          Once you have this knowledge that God loves you and has given you the gift of life along with the talents and blessings of who you are, nothing in this life can separate you from his love.

           He's got your back.

             

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;
   we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Architectural masterpieces

1 Corinthians 3:9-14

          Of the countless analogies people use to speak of God, churches and the faithful, I find two rather outstanding, ones that appeal to me. One is the concept of a building. The other is the concept of father and 'son'.

           There are numerous passages that speak about cornerstones and proper foundations.  Christ being the cornerstone. Being the cornerstone that was rejected but yet is the most valuable.  There are passages that speak of the ground or soil in which buildings are built and whether they would last, whether they would pass the test. I would think that anyone who survived Sandy would have an pretty good idea of this analogy.  This concept can be looked at several ways and each is as valuable as the next. Christ is the foundation or cornerstone and we are building His church, the kingdom. Another way of looking at this is that we are the cornerstone. Cornerstones being unique and crucial to the foundation, we are all then cornerstones. It would not be unreasonable for us to think of the times that perhaps we too were rejected. It would be sufficient for us to know that Jesus himself was rejected. Yet, we are building the kingdom of the Father.

            In the concept of father and 'son' then, the idea of cornerstone is still valuable. If we are all children of God, all "sons", that is, sons and daughters of God, then we are all cornerstones of great value. Each requires specific placement and care in the building. Our uniqueness as created by God bears witness to this. If we ourselves are the building, the temples of God, we should be very careful indeed with how we choose to build ourselves up. That goes from the fact that we require or are cornerstones to the fact that we are building a 'temple' that is uniquely us. Each 'temple' of God is reflective of who we are. All are different and all are magnificent. By the end of our lives I'd pray that we are all magnificent cathedrals or  the most perfect chapel of God that he delights in. 

            No matter which analogy you feel works for you, we must take care to know in our heart of hearts that we are all cornerstones, sometimes rejected but all called to be the basis for a glorious architectural masterpiece of God.  

For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward.

The best gay lover of all time.

Matthew 5:13-16

          I know that I mentioned this once before on these pages but it bears repeating for my intended purpose. My children are gifted. Aside from a Kathy Griffin comedy routine that uses that as a punchline, it is in fact something that we as parents took quite seriously. Basically, we ingrained in these two children that because more was given to them, more would be expected. Probably not something a youth wishes to hear from anyone.

          In reference to putting a light under a bushel basket, it would not do for my children to hide their gifts. They were to explore and utilize their gifts as best they could, to their fullest extent possible. The same was true with my spouse. A talent was recognized and it seemed to me it would be a sin if that was not allowed to be expressed and nurtured. This would mean adjustments to home life but I believe we should all be humans fully alive, fully activated if you will.

           Now, what if you are gay?  What if your child is gay? Do we want him or her to be the best gay lover of all time? In a manner of speaking yes. Not in terms of promiscuity or sexual maneuvers though. Being gay is a critical aspect of how God made you. It is a lens for living and brings possible talents, viewpoints and challenges. In whatever context in life you are given, straight or gay, you are called to live a life of holiness and LOVE. So we really would want any of our children as well as ourselves to be the best lovers of all time.

         In reference to putting a light under a bushel basket, it simply will not do to hide your being gay and expressing that in all aspects of your life and love. Barring situations that might endanger you, risking getting disowned or rendering you homeless, you should express your 'gayness' to the full because that is what God wants because that is how you were created. 

        So go ahead, be the best gay lover of all time.

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Movements of the Spirit

Romans 1:1-7

          If we have a grasp of the Hebrew scriptures we will have learned many things. We know the various styles employed. We know the historical aspects of the texts. We get a sense of who these people are and a knowledge of individuals struggling in their faith and trying to be Godly. We also get a sense of the message interwoven in the passages that speak of the coming of Jesus. We can see this from our distant vantage point. We have that advantage and a bit of knowledge.

          This letter of Paul to the Romans is sent to a fledgling church and to Gentiles (that is, the non Jewish community). This community had no such intimate knowledge of scripture as we do, no historical perspective such as we have. They had the message of Jesus and the stories of his life fresh in the memories of those who witnessed it.

            Just as the movement of the Spirit is seen in Hebrew scriptures proclaiming the coming of Christ and his fulfillment of the law, the Spirit is seen here again advancing the message of salvation in peoples that have no direct connection to the people of the Old Testament. This message was new and fresh. Jesus' message is still new and fresh. The Spirit gave fire to the message that grew in the world full of ancient and dark religions. Many of these religions were born of mystery, ignorance, fear and philosophical views of the world as simply good and evil.

            What stood out was the message of truth, love and hope. As one of todays' other readings proclaims (1 Cor 13 ), the greatest of these is love. The movement of the Spirit in the life of man and the expression of love is paramount. Love overcomes all. The message is universal and strong. In this way, you need not have an intimate knowledge of Hebrew scriptures that foretells of Jesus and his love. Jesus message is pure and simple for all to understand.

           Today we see the message of Christ being proclaimed by more and more people who were once considered anathema. The message of love is alive and well in the gay community that once was held in darkness. Many in the gay community are embracing a message that was warped by clergy that proclaimed it as evil and "intrinsically disordered" while at the same time having liaisons and gay lives on the side. This is not a way to respect life, love and show what Jesus' message of love is all about. Now is the time the gay community can accept the loving message of God, embrace it and live it openly and fully. This is a sign of the Spirit still alive, still expanding the love that God has for all his creations.

              The Spirit of God cannot be contained. Love conquers all.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Simple

2 Timothy 2:8-15

          It seems quite simple to me, know that Jesus died for you. Know that God created you for a definite purpose, uniquely made to fulfill the promise of God, filled with love. Know these things and that knowledge will see you through anything. Whether you are chained like a criminal, enduring any pain that life may dole out or celebrating the joys that life can bring, know God is always with you in love and hope.

           We never know what the future will hold for us but in God's love and hope, it will always be amazingly wonderful.  It seems that simple to me.

            Wake up each day, a new opportunity to love, a new beginning for each of us. Know all this and each day will unfold before you as a gift.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David--that is my gospel,

for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself.

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Let us first love

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3

           Is it important that I am gay ?  Of course to me it is. Being gay is a gift and a paradigm if you will, graced to me by God. It is a way in which I have been given to achieve wholeness and fulfill my part of God's plan. It is certainly an integral and joyous part of who I am but it is actually one part of many that makes up who I really am. I have been given many gifts and talents, graced with beautiful Godly people in my life. Being gay then is a huge part of who I am but in the overall schema of things, it is not really that important. How can I say that?

         

           When the new Pope, Francis said "who am I to judge" and explained later that the Roman Catholic church may have an obsession with abortion, being gay, divorce and other hot button issues, he was explaining the message of this passage. That's not to say he will be able to change the course of such an immovable object as the bureaucracy of the Roman Catholic church, the fact remains that I think he actually gets it.

          So what's the point? Many things are important to us. As I said being gay is a way in which I explore, see and express God's love for me and the world. It is one way in which I have found wholeness. That is really important. But what is more important?

           What is the most important thing of all ? Love. Love in all it's myriad aspects and expressions. That is the most important thing. Without love we have nothing, we are nothing. Without love our actions become mindless, almost useless events. Without love, sex becomes mechanical and it would become what has been expressed by some as 'simply for procreation'. With love, sex becomes a gift, an expression, a way to share the gift of yourself, a way to feel the joy of life, to connect with God. A gift designed by God and gifted to us to enjoy, to explore and share.

       But if there is not love, we have nothing.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Respecting tree limbs, bodily limbs, all appendages and peoples

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

          I feel commanded to write once again about the respect we need to give every life and every type of life. There are a growing number of people that extend this respect to the animal kingdom as well and rightfully so.  It seems odd then that there are parts of the body that are not given the respect they deserve and that whole segments of society are diminished in value and not respected.

          Any theology that calls a person to not use and enjoy their bodies cannot have validity. That is, if you believe God created all of us equally. How can there be segments of society that are called to inequality, mandated celibacy and lower class status?

          How long ago was it that women's 'role' was voiceless, bearing and raising children,  staying at home, doing laundry and submitting to their husbands. Amazing right? Is that respectful of a woman's dignity? of her abilities? Is it respectful to not allow for the choice to live that life or not? We have come a long way baby!

           How about the rules of celibacy. When most of the Apostles were married, when Peter was married and Priests were married for the first thousand years of the Roman Catholic church, is this respectful of the breadth of our human sexuality? Like women, shouldn't the choice be their option? It seems there is a whole range of issues within their church that were created from this unnatural obsession with celibacy.

           Another by product of this unnatural obsession is the disrespect afforded to any subject which is sexual in nature. Sex began to be looked as evil or a necessary evil. Sex became 'for procreation only'. Any sexuality outside of their myopic view was deemed ironically unnatural and against the will of God. This battle is still going on although there are a growing majority who see through hollow arguments and have silently abandoned church teachings for enlightened thought and a deeper spirituality devoid of restrictive man made dogmas.

           The 'universal' church fails to recognize the universe and all the examples and wisdom that God offers in his created world. The spectrum of human sexuality is enormous and mirrors that of the animal and even the plant kingdom.  When will Gays, Lesbians, Transgendered and the every growing list of sexualities that have hidden in fear be given the respect and dignity that all parts of God's creation deserves?

          It is time to embrace the most full meanings of this passage, to view equality and respect in it's broadest terms. Respects all parts of our bodies, all parts of God's creation.

           

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.

First, knock.

Luke 11:5-13

           I can't imagine my best friend turning me away if I knocked on his door, even if it was midnight. Of course I can't imagine myself having the nerve to knock on my best friends door at midnight either.

           However, when you are need, you will do almost anything to satisfy that need and when you have the rarest of rare, a true friend, you will feel free to ask for what you need. In some ways I suppose it comes down to knowing whether or not you feel you have a true friend or not. So the real question is whether or not you know in your heart of hearts that God loves you and is with you. When you walk that lonely mile in life as we must all do at one time or another, is God walking with you? Is God carrying you?  It is a great visual and exemplified so nicely by 'footprints in the sand'. I have read several versions and they all express the same truth. God is with us always because he loves us and wants perhaps nothing more than to have an intimate relationship with us. Are we willing?

           I suppose the meaning to this passage is, if we knock, do we believe God will answer? Even at midnight? When he's cozy in bed? (does God get cozy in bed?)  The answer is a resounding yes!
 God will answer, God does answer! Even at inopportune times, in awkward situations and even after we  have turned on our back on him "will he answer?" God does.

            If you are in any array of problem situations, God loves you. God answers.  Death of a loved one? Lonely? Disowned by family because you are gay? Committed a crime? Made a horrible mistake? These are the midnights of our lives and God will surely answer. God answered me. God will answer you too.

       But first, knock.

And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, 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 a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Variety is the spice of life ( and a gift from God )

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

              It's pretty obvious that there is a whole array of the religious right, Pentecostal, born again and Roman Catholic alike who have nothing much better than to say it is our way or the highway. Whatever doctrine, rule or rubric, theirs is the truth and the only truth.

               You won't get to hear me say it often but there are perhaps a few things I might agree with when the utter their dictums, although it certainly wouldn't be enough for me to be put in their good graces. I am sure I am far down the slippery slope according to some. On these very pages I have expounded the virtues of not being worldly and materialistic. I have spoken of the joys of sex (especially gay sex) while at the same time speaking of morality, avoiding promiscuity and respecting others. This passage does speak about being lead astray and being uninformed. I would agree although the religious right might not see it exactly the same way I do.

               This passage speaks about a variety of gifts. Most people would think of the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, the gift to preach, the gift of teaching or any of the many gifts delineated in this passage.  But while all of that may be true, we have learned a great deal of truths since the time of Jesus, revealed truths, truths guided by the Spirit and also scientific and social truths. All men (and women) being created equal is one. Slavery being wrong would be another.

               So what I am perhaps especially happy to embrace is that of the variety of sexualities exhibited in God's creation and in humanity. We are all created by one God, all loved, all with the same mission in life but the gift of our sexuality is one that is particularly joyful. This is a means by which we get a glimpse of the joys God feels. This is a means by which we find a unique closeness to other human beings. This is a way of sharing and revealing truths about ourselves that cannot be adequately expressed any other way. And it is all a gift from God. It is all a gift from the Spirit of God who guides our love and our entire lives.

               Embrace the sexuality God has given you, fulfill the glory of God and become a human being fully alive. 

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

Roots

Acts 2:41-47

          The stories of the early church are quite fascinating. Some of the messages are not from the preaching but from what was happening, the descriptions of their daily living.

          Anyone with a grain of sense can see that what the apostles were living in was a commune. There was communal living, sharing based on need and all things were disposed of for the greater good. It almost sounds like socialism or communism. I know Jesus is a radical but this is heady stuff to read. For those ultra conservatives Christians who insist this is a 'Christian country', beware. The Acts of the Apostles may come back and bite you in the ass.

          Another point that I find great comfort in is the  'breaking of bread at home'. The first churches were based around the home, actually, in the home.  It is only as the church got larger that such worship became impractical.  Home Masses were common after Vatican two as we explored new forms of worship and worship that emulated the early church. Getting back to our roots so to speak.  It was only after the hierarchy realized there was a lack of control in such settings that the idea of home Mass was nixed. It is interesting to note that in many developing countries the concept of "small Christian Communities" has taken root, basically churches in peoples homes. This same concept of SCC's has become a source of renewal in parishes in many developed countries where people meet in homes to pray, read scripture and have fellowship while returning to the larger church community for Mass. This seems less threatening to the hierarchy and it affords sometime large communities of thousands of families to have a sense of togetherness for those that take part.

            If we are to grow in our faith and if the church is to survive, it must return to its roots. That leaves a message left by a social revolutionary who died on the cross for us and left the message of love and peace. It is not a message of smaller but pure, self righteousness, hypocrisy or money.

           Let's all get back to our roots, not rules but by love and social engagement. 

So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

A cure for grouchy

Galatians 5:22-6:10

            I think everyone has come across a person at one time or another whom we might judge to be a.... sourpuss. Let's keep it decent. It seems especially troubling when the person is a person of faith. It really isn't that a person of faith is more perfect than anyone else, it's just that if the Spirit is alive in you, you'd think the person would act differently.

            Invariably I would say that the person is just very unhappy. There is something that the person may not even be aware of that is making the person very unhappy. So is the case of myself.  I studied theology and prayed very hard, perhaps unceasingly as the scriptures would suggest, for many years. For my entire life I knew a peace inside that was disturbed at times by an uneasiness. Something was clearly wrong.  It was not as if I was sufficiently troubled to warrant medication. In fact I think that might have masked the true problem and I might never have discovered what the answer was. I attribute my ordination into the Roman Catholic church as the straw that broke the camels back for me. My psyche could not handle the contrast and contradiction that my sub conscience was having with the outward expression I was feeling I had make in order to be true to the hierarchy. Soon after ordination I was in quite a quandary and therapy came soon after.  What was this 'thing' that made me so at odds with myself? with the Church? What was it that made me incomplete enough to make me feel like something was missing for decades? The big secret that I could not even admit to myself is that I was gay. Once I said it out loud so that I could hear myself saying it and I was able to utter those words to others, I was a man at peace. Of course that caused other problems for me, a married man of the cloth but I myself had a feeling of completeness I had never known. It was my faith, my friends and my decency that helped me traverse the other issues that arose.

          Is everyone who is grouchy gay? No, not at all. But we all have issues that if go unresolved can make us very disjointed people and unhappy even while we can acknowledge that Jesus is our Lord and savior. Some things are more serious than others. Being gay is a fundamental nature to me. No one was more surprised than me when I realized I was gay. No one was more stunned that a person (me) could deny the vast amount of evidence that was in front of me for years. It seems so obvious now. 

          What are the issues in our lives that keep us from being whole? What keeps us from being fully human?  Most will not be fundamental to our being but some are. This is one reason I think therapy is such a wonderful thing. If you are as honest with your therapist as you try to be with God, you will find reward.  Even without therapy, it is crucial that we be as honest as we can be with ourselves. We need serious self examination and introspection if we are to grow and mature.

         God was surely not surprised that I am gay. God 'waited' for me to make this discovery. I believe my sincere efforts at being faithful were rewarded by the blessing I have received after I acknowledged who I am.  

        When we acknowledge anything about ourselves we are not surprising God who already knows it all. What God wishes is for us to be who were born to be, to be the human he created, fully alive and engaged in the act of living. Our goal is to cooperate and grow, to love and to share ourselves generously with God and everyone we come in contact with. If we are grouchy, something is awry. Don't look at others, look inward for your first clue.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.