Romans 15:4-13
I can sort of understand straight people not wanting gay people around and the extension of that which is to demonize them. It happens when you are unfamiliar with people, customs seem strange and in an effort to familiarize yourself you fall back on stereotypes and rash judgements. I understand being comfy with your own peeps. I understand it because I get the same feeling sometimes when I am in a room full of gay people, especially men. There is a brotherhood, a rawness, an almost palpable sensuality. Not that anything is going to happen, it's just energizing to me.
That might seem a strange starting point for an Advent Sunday reflection but having just had the above experience and now reading the passage, it has meaning to me. I can only imagine the horror and the indignance of the religious community of the day when it was noted that the God News that Jesus proclaimed would be confessed to the gentiles. I know there was quite a discussion in the early Christian church about this, I can only imagine how they felt. This was a whole new paradigm. Jesus came to save the Jews, he didn't say anything about gentiles!
In fact, He did. Like so many other things, Jesus spoke volumes by his actions. Jesus was a rebel and an intensely counter cultural person. He spoke with the sinners, the marginalized, the demonized. He even spoke to the demons if I have my reading correctly. In this way it is only natural that the Good News could not be contained to the Jewish community but to all of God's creation throughout the world. It would seem God wants us to be all inclusive, all loving, understanding and forgiving. Aren't these all attributes of the Father? Of Jesus?
As comfortable as straights might be with straights, gays might seem being with gays, African American people might be comfortable with African American people or Hispanic people with Hispanic peoples, we are called to break those artificial and capricious bonds. It is only by tearing down these artificial walls that we surround ourselves with that will find hope ad peace. Hope and peace seem to be hallmarks of this entire season.
Last nights we had neighbors and friends and coworkers over for a cocktail party. It involved straights, blacks, gays, lesbians, Jews, Christians, Buddhists and you name it. A great time was had by all. It really was the essence of what a holiday party should be. Everyone together having a good time, peace and harmony, love and joy.
I might enjoy the energy and fabulosity of being with other gay people but when we come together, one and all, with mutual respect and love and brotherhood, we rekindle and nourish the flame of hope and peace God wishes for all of us, a gift that is epitomized by the birth of the Christ child.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus,
that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name";
and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people";
and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him";
and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope."
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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