Is love love?

John 21:15-19

          It seems quite funny to me that Peter "felt hurt" when Jesus asks him 3 times do you love me? I would think the one hurt most is when Jesus was denied by Peter three times and in a situation when Jesus counted on him most. Be that as it may I am truly interested in the translations once again. 

          In this passage the word used in this English translation is "love". Using the word "love" truly deprives us of the much deeper meanings of the original words used. The original words have a depth of meaning that speaks to different types of love. Our translation just makes the passage bland by comparison. Literalists can simply use the dumbed down translation for their own purposes as to what "love" means. 

          As intriguing as that is we can also look at the answers that Jesus gives to the 3 questions of "do you love me?" Jesus answers,  "feed my lambs" ,  "tend my sheep" and  "feed my sheep". I am sure there are translational issues here as well but the gist of the matter is Jesus has such a broad scope to how we are to treat others and how we should care for each other out of love. 

         For those literalists out there who may define "love" neatly in their own well defined boxes as who is deserving and who is not, this may seem an easy passage. To those of us who are acutely aware of the diversity of what love is in every way, our call is deeper and broader. This makes sense when you think of the depth that Jesus loves each one of us - loves YOU.

        Of course you can find the original texts on line and seek out the actual meanings of 'love' from what the original words are. It would be a great learning tool and a source of some deep thought, meditation or prayer. In lieu of that though we must realize the depth of love we have each been graced with and the depth of love we are called to in serving others.

         How have you loved today ?

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

Saving the wee ones

Matthew 10:40-42

           Once again we are drawn into that quagmire of Biblical literalism, the one that hinders faith, restricts God's love and bastardizes the word and mission of Jesus. In this passage today, thankfully we are only gently reminded of the importance of looking at scriptures with a keen cultural eye.

           "......whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple -- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."  There is more in the sentence that surely meets the eye.

         Two things need to be remembered about this.  Since most of us nowadays simply turn on the faucet and get hot and cold water at will, it would not even occur to us perhaps what one of the primary messages in this passage is. Only when looked at it through the lens of their day does it make sense. Water was not plentiful. Water was scarce. Women walked for miles in the early morning before the heat of the day to carry jars of water for their daily use. Water was scare and precious. A water supply frankly meant life or death. Additionally, giving cold cups of water to children was probably not top on their list as well. It would almost be considered wasting water in one sense. Children were just about as low as women on the social totem pole. Once again Jesus takes the low people of the social strata and says that when you do good for them, your reward will be  manifest. Jesus doesn't say, 'teach them how to dig a well so they can get their own water'; Jesus doesn't say make sure they are worthy or make sure they repent of their sins first. Jesus takes the lowly and the marginalized and as always lets us know that they are as welcome and loved by God as anyone. Quite often it is the pure hearts and faith of these outcasts that makes them eligible for heaven before the ones in power or who are considered the holy ones by society.

       Who do you think the little ones are today? I could give you a litany of people but it is probably better for you if you come up with your own list. I would only caution you that if you come up with a group or nationality or religion and you find yourself saying "no, surely not them", that's when you get into trouble.

             

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous;

and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple -- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

It's fabulous to be gay

Luke 11:33-36

             It astounds me that we have the ability as humans to simply go into survival mode,. Perhaps it is a good thing. We can live day in and day out as if we are hibernating alive, our lives filled with daily drudgery, work, routines and not much else. Not an enticing existence but so many do live this way.

             There are people though, and I like to think I am one of them, who seem fully alive, animated, celebrated and motivated.  There are people who seem fully engaged and seem to radiate the joy of life. These people seem to have purpose and drive.

             What it is that gives you the spark, or as this passage points out your whole body is full of light, varies from person to person. Part of that joy, the expressive light within is recognizing the essence of God that is within you. When you come to know that God created you and loves you there is a sparkle that comes to your eye and to your entire being. 

            Another way to ignite that spark within is to acknowledge and celebrate the precise person God created you as. This celebration includes the expression of your love and all the talents and gifts God has graced you with. It is a phenomenal feeling that others cannot help but see and notice.

            One of the things that seems to gather a great amount of attention is the joy, inner peace and light that is manifested when you acknowledge that you are gay. In essence it is no better than any other gift God has given mankind but it is so fundamental and has been so restricted and hidden by society that being gay seems to burst forth with such great light from within people. It is light, it is a rainbow bursting forth, it is fabulosity on the grandest of scales.  This month we celebrate the light, joy and fabulosity of being gay. A true gift from God.

             Let your light shine, where is there anyone half as fabulous as you?

‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’

Stumbling blocks or building blocks

Romans 14:12-19

          What is a stumbling block ( to faith )?  What is it that is most important to 'achieve' salvation?

           When I was a young lad, we had the distinct impression from nuns, priests and adults that our faith was intricately bound by certain actions on our part. Making the sign of the cross, dipping your fingers in holy water, the manner and angle at which you held your hands in prayer were crucial if you were to be good and holy and have your prayers answered.  Forget that the speed of light manner of saying the Hail Mary or the Lord's Prayer for penance after confession' that seemed not to be as crucial.  These are impediments to our faith in as much as they do not lead you to faith. They certainly can enrich your faith but the are not ever the essence of your faith. 

            When I was in a prayer group for most of the 1980's and 90's we were not afraid to take on many contemporary issues of faith even if the hierarchy told us not to. Many good people had difficulty with the concept of hell. One particular person was troubled because they loved 

God, knew that God loved them and also loved their son ( who happened to be into some bad stuff, had been abused by a Priest as a youth and professed to almost hating God. ) These beautiful people struggled with the concept of hell, that knowing their sons' actions might be something he might have to face sooner than later. Besides professional help for the son, we researched a great deal, we read an excellent book called Good Goats and had some very serious discussions. Like many things that hurt, hinder or stand in the way of our faith, we agreed to hold that issue aside. We would not let that or any issue get in the way of our faith. 

          Another occasion arose in my life when a Pastor whom I greatly admired was accused of some horrible things. There seemed to be a multi faceted vendetta against him for a number of reasons. One oddly enough was that he let a fellow Deacon make the Eucharist for Thanksgiving day Mass. The Deacon used some honey in the process which invalidated the whole Eucharist according to some troglodyte, legalistic parishioners. ( talk about impediments to faith! ) Anyway there was this vendetta of sorts against this man who had been a mentor and an inspiration to me. I was crushed when all the sordid accusations came out. I fell into a religious slump until I realized that my faith is not linear through my pastor. I had a direct line myself! I was able to put aside my misgivings and not let his issues get in the way of my faith. My faith flourished, I was able to support my Pastor ( who was completely cleared ) and I learned several valuable life lessons.

        Whenever we broaden the scope of religiosity to include dogmas, rules and personal acts of piety we create stumbling blocks and potential impediments to faith. The basics can be found in the Apostles Creed; the basics can be found in the two great commandments and in the love of Jesus Christ.

        Those that swear about what is the most important or put man made stuff on the same par as God's  love should be aware that it seems God does not take kindly to people who put stumbling blocks in the way of people. If you have a way to peace, truth and love that's great but is most likely not anyone else's path. Enjoy the journey of your own. It is as unique as you are, as God created you.

So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Let us therefore no longer pass judgement on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling-block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification.

It shall not be so with you

Matthew 20:17-28

           Perhaps it's that I am on holiday for the week and my mind seems more at ease but the streams of thought are flowing in so any directions. Am I being called to write abaout getting what one asks for? That seems like it would be fertile ground. Yet I feel compelled to offer some kind of confession when I read the line It will not be so among you. So here goes.

           I think I may be a bit of a bully. If I thnk about todays passage I at least know that being a follower of Christ cannot be as it is with the resst of the world. That is, who is first, best, or as I've seen on a bumper sticker on more than one occasion, "whoever dies with the most toys wins". That is not how it should be for a faithful person.

         So how is it that I am a bully you might ask? Well, one way is to make yourself (at least look) higher or better than your neighbor or brother or sister. Another way is to cut them down a peg or two. You are still in the same spot yourself but everything is relative. 

          I seem to have a penchant for chastising the Roman Catholic Church. Lord knows it is reeeeeally easy. Between archaic doctrines, the pedophaelia, the covering up of pedophaelia, the general pomposity of the diocesan and hierarchical clergy and general hypocrisy, it is like they have nothing more to do than to shoot themselves in the foot or show the world how not to live. ( Pope Francis not withstanding ). So I suppose I am a bit of a bully picking on easy pickings. 

           This is somewhat ironic because I myself was bullied as a youth and on into high school. You'd think I would know better. I recall one instance however when a friend of mine was being picked on and I stood up to the bully big time. I actually stood up and threatened the person. What I lacked in ability to back up the threat I more than made up for with sincerity.

            It seems to me that we are called to look at our own behaviour instead of looking at others and judging. Judging and always looking at others may work in the rest of the world but it should not be so with us as followers.

         

   

While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.’

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’

When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

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It's God's will Maria

Matthew 20:1-16

          I work for the government. Not glamorous but an honest job that I enjoy. We are encouraged to do our best, think out of the box, work collaboratively and most of all, keep our patients first. Not what you'd think of typical government facility or worker. Still, I am an active unionist even if it is not like that of Jimmy Hoffa. What I noticed and I am sure some others would notice is that this was clearly not a union shop in today's passage. First of all, the landowner was hiring workers 'first thing in he morning' and all day long and even at 5pm until evening when the workers were paid. Not a 9-5 job for sure. Probably hard work .... for sure.  Perhaps the seeds of unionism were sown right here with the concept of equal pay for equal work. That concept appeals to us and our sense of what is right and wrong. 

        But God doesn't seem to be fair, at least by our human standards. God loves us all equally. Sounds great in theory but we insert our own human and personal agendas into everything. Clearly the generosity of God is not limited by what we seem to think. This passage seems clear about that.

         Then to drive the point home, let me remind you of the story of the prodigal son. This young man squanders his fathers money on easy living, prostitutes and generally being a bum ( in current vernacular).  The father not only welcomed him back home with open arms, he kills the fatted calf for the celebration. We know how that irked the 'good son'. If I were that father, I'm no do sure how I'd react. All that hard earned money of mine wasted. And there's another rub, we usuallythink we have actually earned everything we 'own' as if God and other humans had no hand in everything we do. But would I welcome my son back at all?  

         Clearly God's standards of worthiness are not the same as ours and God's sense of generosity and justice are far beyond what we humans can grasp. We have our own senses of entitlement, justice and worthiness. 

      You'd better get it clear now and adjust your thinking because no matter what we have to say about it God's way will prevail. I can only imagine the surprised faces at the pearly gates. Some of those we expect to see may not be there and others we are so sure are going to hell in a hand basket will be smiling to greet is. Come to think of it, that's assuming we're going where we want to be going. I am pretty confident that if I try to align my thoughts with God's and try to love as best I can, His generosity and compassion will be on me in spite of my failings. 

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went.When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?”They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” o the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

Send your camel to bed

Matthew 19:23-30

          Here I am in beautiful P-town, awake on a particularly beautiful early morning, reading my morning scripture and giving thanks and praise for all the miraculous and wonderful things in my life, our life. I cannot help but wonder though if I am a camel. I have been so blessed. Although not rich, we are comfortable in our frugal lifestyle. I can play tennis, go biking and I have my sight to see a full array of God's beautiful creations. I am blessed. Although I, like Peter, have left everything to be where I am and especially, who I am, I wonder if I am faithful enough, worthy enough for eternal life.

         When someone invariably says I am going to hell for being gay and living "that lifestyle", I want to reply something like (you judgmental , ignorant, hypocritical bastard) , well, I'll see you there then! Of course I do not say that or anything close. If they are not to judge, neither am I.

          So I am faced with what I perceive as a fine line between being so graced in this life and being able to fit through the eye of that needle.  What I do know about myself is that the material things are appreciated. That is, I don't seek them as an end, as a 'god' if you will. I have left them and would leave them again if need be. What I find the most important is the love and relationships of my life. I don't think it's a rationalization when I say that I believe God wants the best for all of us  and in every way. Our problem begins when we place 'things' ahead of love, God, others and especially at  the others' expense. In many ways I think our lifestyle as Americans makes our country 'the camel'. We are so into our inherent right too live the way we do and maintaining it that we forget the rest of our brothers an sisters struggling around the world or around the corner. If we as Americans are doomed it isn't so much because of our committed gay loving relationships it will be because of our arrogant self worth, self righteousness and lack of consideration for the rest of the world.

              Where does that leave me and us? Again,  willing to put the material aside, our salvation is in God and love.  If in that love we accept the credo of living simply so others can simply live, we will be well on our way to salvation and I am sure God will smile on our efforts

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’

Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Hold close the simplicity and love of a child.

Matthew 19:13-22

          You'd think the disciples would know. I mean, Jesus' inner circle, the elite, the chosen ones, shouldn't they know that Jesus would more than welcome the children?

          It's another case of bad assumptions on their part and as well as ours. Children are children, honest and open and capable of saying the most disarmingly honest things. I recall watching Art Linkletter years ago and it was always entertaining. Certainly children have not reached the age of reason.  Based on the immaturity of these wee ones, it would seem quite reasonable for the disciples to speak sternly to those trying to bring the children to Jesus. I suppose it would almost like bringing women to Jesus, virtually nothing in the eyes of the law, chattel, possessions, sold into marriage. Why, even children could be sold into slavery according to Levitical law.

          So it's not a bad assumption that Jesus would not want children around him. But the 'least' become the most important and Jesus' message and love is open to all.

        As for our part, we may view children differently than they did in Biblical times but do we grasp the import of welcoming the children?  Again, Jesus is welcoming those who are simplistic, honest, who see love in a smile, a box or a pile of dirt. They offer dandelions as bouquets and hugs as big as the universe. Children may not be able to quote a proper 'reasoning' why gays are 'intrinsically disordered' or why non Roman Catholics cannot receive communion in a Roman Catholic church but the understand the truly important stuff.

       It is my view that the truly important stuff is self evident. God made the world for us to see and so that we could see him as we look out around ourselves. No circular logic, treatises or rules required except for those two great commandments. The simplicity of a child is not only welcome, it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.

       So when we see a dandelion or a rose, or  sunset or a waterfall, we see God. As simple as a child. And when we see someone ( like a child ) that we think may may not be fully cable or worthy of God's love or presence, take a deep breath because they are the ones Jesus wishes to hold closest and welcomes them for their honestly, simplicity and love.

        The other night we babysat for one of our grandsons. He knows he is loved as evidenced by the huge beaming smiles and the bright wide blue eyes. (  common traits of our grandsons ). Does this little one know how intrinsically disordered we are?  Are we? Or is all that matters the love that is exchanged, the bond of genuine love and support for our family. It seems to me if Jesus were in the room ( and I believe he was ), he was beaming too.

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Can we be honest? What lies do you tell yourself?

Matthew 10:24-39

           I read today's passage and I thought I would write down some thoughts about lying.  I had been graced to attend a retreat year or so ago when the retreat master spoke a bit about lying to God. That's actually quite impossible so it's an exercise in futility. What we seem more capable of and perhaps even have a penchant for is lying to ourselves.  Whether intentional or not, we all do it.

           I heard the story of a family friend who was always giving to his son. This married son with several children was regularly coming to Dad for money to make ends meet or for this or that need.  There was apparently never any relationship insofar as helping this 'son' by laying out cash.  The father late in life realized this and told the son "no" at one point. The father never heard from the son again - ever. I suppose we reap what we sow, this Dad never realized his son was only interested in receiving money and no interest in a real relationship. There was apparently no respect, no interest in a loving caring mutual relationship that parents pray they will have.  It would be too simplistic to make any substantive judgements about this scenario but I do suspect the father knew it was always about the money. It may have been the elephant in the room and the father lied to himself about it because it was easier and he had the money. When we get older though we realize money isn't really that important - relationship and love is everything. 

               That's but one example. My life certainly is another.  For all intents and purposes I had a decent marriage with my ex-wife. There certainly was love and commitment. Yet I knew (and I suspect she knew) that there was some flaw in the marriage. We had our own problems like every couple but we never addressed it. I could say it was because we were good Catholics but that would be scapegoating the church. Truly I lied to myself and I suspect she lied to herself as well. Did she really not know I was gay? It certainly is possible, I denied it to myself until I was 50. So we both lied to ourselves and went on.  Through the graces of God my eyes were opened until I realized the truth. It wasn't easy hearing the truth about myself. The prospects seemed overwhelming and it required some action on my part. The fact remains. I had lied to myself.

             This is another strong example but it shows how we lie to ourselves for the sake of expediency or whatever. On so many levels we lie to ourselves every day to get by, because it is easier and honestly, it may be because we don't know any better. We may not know any other way to proceed. I suspect my psyche protected me and God protected me until such time as I was strong enough to take 'the news'. 

           What lies do we tell ourselves? I do not know all of the ones of your life but the question is worth asking? Do you belong to a church that welcomes you as long as you suppress who you are when fundamentally they view you as "intrinsically disordered"?  Do you lie to yourself in that way? Do you lie to yourself that a destructive relationship holds a future and that the other person will change?

          Having self respect for ourselves and loving ourselves or loving the person God made us to be means that we will examine our lives and be honest. we must respect honesty.  To not respect the truth is self destructive and not respecting God on a grand level.

         Can we be honest? What lies do you tell yourself? 

"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master;

it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

And even the hairs of your head are all counted.

So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

"Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven;

but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

and one's foes will be members of one's own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Getting whacked with a wooden stick?

Romans 3:9-20

           My husband and I have a small obsession, we love watching Judge Judy (taped). One of the many Judy-isms is a question about teenagers. "How do you know when a teenager is lying? When there mouth is open and they are talking."  This is quite an indictment of all teenagers but no less an indictment than is placed before us in this passage today. Everyone is guilty. Everyone. Once we grow older perhaps we exchange lying for other sins or bring the lie to a fine art. We could argue about degrees or specific sins or which sins are worse but in the end, we are all guilty.  Lest you forget, that is why Jesus became a human and died for us. He showed us how to live and love but he did not go around arrogantly accusing and condemning people. If anyone could, he could. But he did not. Far from it. (obviously, neither should we then, eh?)

         It might seem wrong to stress how sinful we are. It is not meant to beat us all down into groveling sinners. It is not meant to damage or psyches and ruin our self esteem. It is meant to point out a human condition. We all sin.

         When I was in Catholic grammar school it was a norm that if you did something wrong, and inevitably everyone did, you got whacked by the good sister with a ruler. That word 'ruler' is an interesting word though. We tend to think in terms of precise measurement. But a ruler is a basis to judge a goal and not in precise amounts. If we have a 'rule' by which we live, the ruler is a guide to how we are "measuring up" on our journey. What is our personal rule? Being a follower of Christ?  Is it a bit more refined, being a follower of Jesus but using the 'rule' of St. Benedict as a guide to our faith or some other Sainted persons philosophy?  The rule is a guide for us to measure our journey and again, not in precise terms.

           If we deal in precise terms we come away with a really wrong hearted notion of God's love.  We might tend to think God keeps a book with a spreadsheet of all our sins in life. It demeans us and minimizes our journey to wholeness, that wholeness that God calls us to and created us for. 

           We know that God loves every single one of us just as we are, sinners one and all. He embraces us in our journey to wholeness wherever we are along the way. We will never attain perfection, certainly not on this side of life, so we are sinners one and all. And God still loves us. 

          What I believe God is asking of us is to make him/her our 'rule' in life. Have faith in God, love God,  move towards God answering the call into relationship with him.  We can offer nothing else but our imperfect selves trying to love, willingly loving ourselves, our God and each other. 

What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written:
‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
there is no one who has understanding,
     there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
   there is no one who shows kindness,
     there is not even one.’
‘Their throats are opened graves;
   they use their tongues to deceive.’
‘The venom of vipers is under their lips.’
‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’
‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery are in their paths,
and the way of peace they have not known.’
‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

On why homosexuals are often holier than some other people.

Romans 2:12-24

           Last night I saw the most excellent movie For The Bible Tells Me So for the second time. It was instrumental in helping me understand life as I navigated through coming out seven or so years ago. It was equally informative now and it's richness has not faded in the least.  One of the things that the movie portrays is what I call Bible Thumpers or Literalists (my terms).  They use cherry picked passages to support their condemnation of the gay community as an "a-bomb-nation!". There are several problems with this.

             First, if you are going to be so literal and take people to task over passages you should be sure you pay attention to all the passages, not just the ones you think are the most important. In the famous Dr. Laura letter, are we still allowed to sell our daughters into slavery? Can we wear cotton-poly blends without risk of being stoned to death? Can we own slaves as long as they are from neighboring countries? Who is the arbiter? What is the arbiter?  One excellent choice is the love of God, that is the answer, that is the arbiter. Love. For rule obeyers that might not be adequate enough, they might only like things as black or white. But the fact remains, you can't simply cherry pick passages.  We have no right to say it's all the word of God but we only have to obey these rules because we feel they are more important than the others. 

           Another problem are actual translations and cultural references that they had and we don't or visa versa.  The term homosexuality was not even invented until the 19th century. Even the concept of a loving committed relationship out of love and respect is not a ancient idea, it's a modern one. "Marriage" in Biblical times was a business transaction and was arranged. If there was love it grew from an arrangement that suited the men out of a need ( of money, property or title ). Our idea of marriage, our one true love, our soul mate is more of a modern notion even if there are some notable examples of such in the Bible (although they are 'gay' examples, Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan.)

         As for translations, we all know of the words that are difficult to translate even in our own time. Give me a good definition of Chutzpah in English. It is not easily translated. Try then to translate from one language to another to another across cultural barriers and philosophies.  ( Aramaic > Greek > Latin > English and then a Hebrew view of the world vs. a Greek view of the world ). Translations are not what you would easily be able to swear to. The accuracy of English words is certainly questionable since many of the words and terms would be quite foreign to the ancients. 

         There is one thing that is certain in my mind though. Just as 'those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword' , so too the people of today who chastise, judge and condemn by cherry picking verses will be condemned by their very own hands according to this passage.

         Those of us that may not be Bible thumpers or literalists but yet know love in the heart are already holier than those judgemental fools.

            

           Kudo's to you if you realized that  passage I wrote about yesterday was really the passage meant for Friday. So today, friday, I will comment on the passage I should have written about yesterday. 

All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’

Cut or uncut, parts or hearts?

Romans 2:25-3:8

               Wow. In toady's passage my head was spinning a bit trying to follow the logic, well, follow what Paul is saying about circumcision, non-circumcision, uncircumcised, physically uncircumcised, etc. Who could follow that? Sounds reminiscent of some of the circular logic the Roman Catholic church uses to justify some of their existing positions from birth control to celibacy to marriage equality. Come to think of it,  the common thread might be the preoccupation with genitalia and how to respect and deal with a God given gift. There are a great number of uptight people who really have trouble with their genitalia. Consequently if they have problems they make problems for the rest of us. In addition, the gay community as a general rule celebrates their bodies and that is very threatening to the up-tights as well.

             What truly is great though, snuck in there, is the  real story, it  is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. For all those literalists out there, a great lesson, it is all about the spiritual. It's what's in your heart. As Bishop Gene Robinson once said so wisely, 'it's about hearts, not parts'. Amen.

Of course, enjoy the 'parts' but the spiritual is the most important.

            This whole issue is not unlike fulfillment of the law. Jesus did not do away with the law but in the same way he made a point of stating what the two great commandments are. And the basis of all the laws, even those two great commandments is love. 

         So, circumcision, non-circumcision, uncircumcised, physically uncircumcised, whatever, it's what is in your heart. Similarly obeying the laws and rules will not make you holy. It's how you live and love.

           It is how you live

                  and love.

                       

Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written,
‘So that you may be justified in your words,
   and prevail in your judging.’
But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), ‘Let us do evil so that good may come’? Their condemnation is deserved!

Arrogance humbled by 'the gays'.

Matthew 18:1-9

            Arrogance is a peculiar thing. We can be convinced of so much and the world has believed some astounding things, sworn by them and killed for them. One could argue that we were mere infant humans, immature, unable to understand anything. We have gone from cowering cavemen who discovered fire and believed in the God's of fire, rain, sun and moon. We now know there is one God however perceived and who is witnessed by her creations and all of her created world.

      I suppose it was human hubris and arrogance that wants us to think we have all the answers, we know all the right people, have the ultimate this or that and we are experts at everything worth knowing. Yet I see all the time things that go unlearned on myriad subjects. The value of life, the value of love, respect and equality are things some people never learn, some learn at 5 and some learn at 50. We are all on our own journey and we take different paths.

        The problem for humanity and us as individuals is when we swear to what we think we know or that what little we know is more than it is. Have you ever heard someone expound on a restaurant, a car, a church or anything and they will say "you have to try this" or "this is the absolute best. (fill in the blank)." The same is true in religions, faith and respect. We cannot assume we know thee way. Not even the almighty Roman Catholic church that proclaims they are the one true church has all the answers.  Perhaps more than anything it is their human arrogance that has gotten them in so much trouble these last years.

        There are two expressions that I  think say a great deal about knowledge. One is "the more you know, the more you realize what you don't know". The other is cute statement I learned in high school, "knowing what, one knows not, is in a sense omniscience". 

         The arrogance of some in the religious community when they speak so knowingly that being gay means a certain act or that our lives are immoral. I would suggest they spend the day with me, see me at prayer at 3:15 am or at work or walking the grounds of the hospital at lunch or at a prayer meeting in the evening, taking out the trash, watering the plants or having a pleasant dinner at home or babysitting one of our grandchildren. Then, come and tell me what an immoral life I lead. If you insist on peeking into my bedroom I would suggest peeking in your own first or some of the countless straight couples or couples 'living in sin'. What are they doing? Does it even matter?  Who invented bondage, adultery, divorce, incest and all the rest? It wasn't the gay crowd I assure you. Perhaps we should be less arrogant about such matters and work hard to love, understand and just realize how much we really do not know about ourselves,  others and God's world. We might discover some truly beautiful things, be filled with awe and be totally humbled in the face of God and our brothers and sisters, no matter who they are.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!

‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.

The Wrath of Kh.... God.

Romans 1:16-25

          The world certainly is an interesting place.The actions of man show the depth we can sink to and the heights we can soar to.  One would think that the heights we soar to would be accomplished and assigned to those who are faithful servants of God. Not necessarily Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or any other religion, but faithful servants of God. Sometimes this is true when you see some of our great religious leaders. They are not perfect obviously but have risen above the imperfections of their humanity to become a conduit of God and are able to embrace the divinity within them for the good of all. Think Thomas Merton, Desmond Tutu, The Dalai Lama and many more. Pretty heady stuff.

            There are also religious people like those that incite hate, started the Crusades and those that cover up child sexual abuses at the hands of clergy. There are those that focus on power and hollow teachings that tarnish the message that is supposed to be given, emulated and lived. This latter type of religious are spoken of in today's passage.  I shall not dwell on it too long  but I am astounded and happy that scripture captures this message. It indicts those that use half truths, lies, power and misrepresentations of Holy Scripture as weapons against the people of God.  Think Roman Catholic church, think Westboro Baptist church. Think the thoughtless drones of Catholicism ranting and railing against the love and rights of the gay community while they themselves are guilty as sin. And there it is in scripture, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 

             If there is one way in which we can all escape the 'wrath of God' , it is to emulate the life and message of Jesus. There is no bureaucracy there, no seminary of doctrinal purity. There is compassion, love and forgiveness. Without us condemning others which we cannot do, can we at least indict ourselves for whatever roles we play in perpetuating ungodliness and wickedness in our world? What can we do? Simple acts of love and kindness are probably the best and most convincing of actions. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.

Imperfect but promised

John 3:11-16

       Yesterday, I sarcastically (me??) wrote about a song from The Book of Mormon called I believe. The sarcasm was the line 'I believe that in 1978 God changed his mind about black people'. While we are free to choose what we believe and do not believe, I would argue that it is crucial that we believe in the redemptive power, saving graces and love of Jesus Christ.

       I know there is a small bump in the road called the Reformation (again, sarcasm) and one of the  many reasons it came about was the small difference of opinion as to whether works or faith alone can save you. Generalizing of course, the Protestant argument would be that we can be saved by faith alone. This is a crucial point. Must we do something, some act of repentance or perform some act of faith in order to be saved?  Is the redemption and love afforded us through Jesus' incarnation (in it's broadest terms) sufficient enough if we simply believe.

         Of course believing in our Heavenly Father, the Spirit and Jesus is not always that easy given that society often gives the opposite message. We must earn everything it would seem.

         The inherent dignity and uniqueness of every being however argues for a love simply because we exist. Jesus may have said that he was here to fulfill the law and redeem the Hebrew people yet time after time he embraced and loved without specific reason all those that came to him in faith and were not Jewish. In fact, Jesus seemed to go out of his way to embrace the furthest examples of the not loved, the marginalized, the sinners and the not quite as equal as. Time after time Jesus would proclaim "your faith has healed you".

         In this world that seems to indoctrinate us in 'something for something', and nothing if we don't feel you deserve it, we must learn to embrace our own dignity, our own heritage as children of God and the fact that we heirs to the throne, welcome and honored to receive eternal love and salvation. That is the power and the message of Jesus Christ. We are asked to embrace as he did following those simple tenets of the two great commandments. But still, in our imperfection we are loved and is by faith alone that we are saved no matter what anyone else says or tries to convince us of.

         All the power hungry naysayers who wish people to believe that 'they' are saved and we are not by virtue of our race, sexual orientation, religion or whatever so called demeaning moniker 'they' choose to use, are patently wrong. We are all equal and all equally saved as long as we abide in our faith.

       We must accept our own divinity within our own humanity as imagined, created and loved by God. By faith alone. 

‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

‘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.

Preaching without authority

Job 38:1-11 and Revelation 19:4-16

         On any given Sunday morning the Television is full of televangelists proclaiming the word of God as if they are God themself. For all I know, it may be going on all week long as well.

         Two sections of the readings today jumped out am and I would like to speak about those. In this passage from Revelation it states Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!  In Job it states ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
   Tell me, if you have understanding.  These passages speak to me of humility and a realization that we are clearly not God. We may talk the talk about anything but when it comes to God we cannot walk the walk. 

          There are several songs from the Book of Mormon on Broadway that I cannot get out of my head. In spite of it being a great play (and a great success) there is one song so blasphemous I cannot even listen to it even though I have the music in my car. In another song though, I Believe, they sing something to the effect that ' I believe, that in 1978 God changed his mind about black people'. It highlights the things that religions and people feel free to espouse, believe and proclaim as the word of God. Talking the talk about a whole array of subjects and it certainly isn't just the Church of Latter day Saints. You can think off the top of your head the things that may be simply mentioned in the Bible that churches have changed their mind about. What once was taboo or 'the word of God' and was actually sworn about, that we now know is untrue.  Slavery, the motion of the planets, souls of indigenous peoples and whole array of subjects. In one of the texts in seminary about the history of the Catholic church there is a section which stated how one Pope had condemned suspension bridges as works of the devil. They can say something about making statements from the 'chair of Peter' or not but such statements go out there and it is amazing.

               In Job, God asks him to make an account of what he is saying, proclaiming. In Revelation we are reminded that we are all, every human, are fellow servants. We should be incredibly careful about what we preach, proclaim or spew as the case may be.

               One of the saddest things and that the song "I beleive" pokes fun at it is the length of time some churches go before they 'change their minds'. How long was it before  Galileo was taken off the 'do not read' list and 'forgiven', 'redeemed' or whatever it is the official apologists have to say.

                The world is changing or rather, we are catching up with the all embracing love of God. The Spirit is alive and inspiring movement. I have written about that before. How long will it be before religions embrace the created goodness of the gay community? Specifically, how long will it take for the Roman Catholic church to abandon the notion that gay people are 'intrinsically disordered'?  As Job was asked to address his proclamations so too churches will be asked to answer for their proclaiming hateful and wrong spirited rhetoric. They will be asked to answer for their half-truths, coverups and fault dogmas that have contributed to so much mental anguish and even suicide among good and decent people. It's ironic especially when the Roman Catholic church has gone to such incredible lengths to cover up so much of their own evil that have been foisted on so many. There seems to be no end to the lengths they will go to bolster their own reputation even at the expense of the gay community of which the church is grandly represented.

        There is a frightening array of people that see fit to proclaim what is or isn't evil; what is or isn't God's precise words; what is or isn't sin and therefore worthy of God's love. The arrogance is astounding. If this wasn't so obvious the passages today are a reminded to me that to 'speak for God' or what we even sincerely think he means is extreme arrogance.  The world has seen way too much of human interpretation of what precisely God thinks. The only words I know that accurately embrace the word of God are contained in those two great commandments about love. End of story.

               

Job 38:1-11

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up your loins like a man,
   I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 

‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
   Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
   Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
   or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning stars sang together
   and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? 

‘Or who shut in the sea with doors
   when it burst out from the womb?—
when I made the clouds its garment,
   and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed bounds for it,
   and set bars and doors,
and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
   and here shall your proud waves be stopped”? 

Revelation 19:4-16

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who is seated on the throne, saying,
‘Amen. Hallelujah!’

And from the throne came a voice saying,
‘Praise our God,
   all you his servants,
and all who fear him,
   small and great.’
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder-peals, crying out,
‘Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
   the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
   and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
   and his bride has made herself ready;
to her it has been granted to be clothed
   with fine linen, bright and pure’—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ 

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’.

Appreciating the gay spirit

1 Corinthians 2:6-13

         I have always had empathy for marginalized groups and the down trodden. I never knew why. I suspect now it may be because inside my psyche I knew that I too was a member of a marginalized group. Some how I knew this on a subconscious level even it took 50 years for me to realize it and say out loud, I am gay.

         But the fact is, I grew up a veritable minority, a white kid in a black neighborhood.  Someone tried to explain to me what it was like being black. The example they used was related to the freedom I feel as a white person being able to go wherever I wanted  without fear of harassment or being asked "what are you do around here?" A black person almost always had the fear of being asked what they were doing in a given area and constantly had to worry that a police officer would stop them and ask questions. I never had such worries. It was simplistic perhaps but it conveyed a truth that has stuck with me about people being marginalized and how they feel. The question I would ask is how do we get into some one else's head or heart to see how they feel?

        This passage speaks of understanding the human spirit because we are human.  How much better would the world be if we could understand the fellow next to us? How does it feel to be gay? How does it feel to be blind or physically challenged? How does it feel to be native American? What is unique to each person's experiences? What makes them feel good about themselves or what makes them feel defeated?  The world would certainly be better if we 'walked a mile in someone else's moccasins'.

          There are certain fundamentals to being human. If we could just realize that every human has those feelings. The need to love, the feelings of pain. The feelings of defeat and joy. Do we realize everyone is a temple of the Holy Spirit? Do we acknowledge the Godliness in each person? Big questions for sure.

          Respect, dignity, empathy and understanding are all keys to equality, love, Godliness and peace. What step can I take to advance the cause we claim as faithful people? 

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
   nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.

Scant testimony

John 1:43-51

          When I was a teenager I had a Panasonic radio/turntable, portable and very stylish. If you told me then about some futuristic time that involved i-phones and something called the internet I would have laughed. It would have seemed like a miracle or magic. The same would go for electro-luminescent glass, microwave ovens,  power car door windows, and almost anything in the cars of today. Had they been presented in a flash I would think it was magic, maybe even evidence of the presence of God.

           We can make such rash and broad decisions off of such scant testimony. How many people hear a Fox newscast that makes incredibly false and misleading statements or quotes a "government official" and those listeners are convinced of its' truth in the most vehement and belligerent way.  These people want to be convinced from the get-go, almost no real facts are really required.

             People wonder if miracles still occur and easily dismiss them in a wave of practical reasons why it happened. We require proof that someone loves us as much as Thomas asking to put his hand in Jesus' side.  How much proof is needed before some people believe the effects of modern man on the environment? Is global warming real? Should we go on living unchecked? Is Fukushema a bad PR ploy by liberals against nuclear power?

             Our required level of proof is astounding in both directions. We believe a great deal on scant evidence and fail to believe the most important in the face of overwhelming evidence.

          Where am I headed? How much evidence will it take to realize how much God loves you?  There may be bad stuff going on the world, in your world, but there surely is tons of great stuff and great people around you. When I go outside and see the absolute beauty of the Coral Bells in my garden, I absolutely am convinced and know in every fiber of my being that God is love. God loves those Bells and as sure as that, God loves me with reckless abandon. Then I leave for work and I gently kiss the most wonderful husband in the world, sleeping soundly like a cherub, I know I am loved. No further proof required.

      What proof do you require to know God loves you and that God created you with purpose and intent? God loves you just the way you are, imperfect, on your way to wholeness, stumbling, loving, gay, straight or somewhere in between. God loves you.

       What proof do you require? Open your eyes and look around. Look in a mirror.

     

          

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ ⁴⁶Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ ⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ ⁴⁸Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ ⁴⁹Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ ⁵⁰Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ ⁵¹And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you,^* you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and desce

Everything in moderation.

Galatians 5:16-24

          I'd like to tell you something about my mother. She was a faithful servant and tried desperately to follow the will of God. Sadly for her she was at the mercy of the Church in that regard so she stayed married to an alcoholic for far too long and when she finally got the sense to ask for a divorce she was ostracized by the very church she loved so much. That's not what I wish to talk about though. Whatever failings she may have had, they were exacerbated by 4 young boys who were quite a handful, dad having moved out when I was 5. It was with this inherited insanity (she got from her boys) that she wound up getting into deep water sometimes. Common sense did not always prevail. Case in point, she is driving all 4 boys through a few inches of snow to get my brother to high school and driving ever so slowly.  One of us complained she was going too slow and the reaction was not tempered, it was exaggerated. She stepped on the gas and spun the wheels, fishtailing in the process and saying something like "is this what you want???" Not measured, simply the other extreme.

        Many people see things in those extremes. There is no tempered response to anything. You are either right or left. It is black or white.  You are either all in or all out.

        There are a vast majority of people who see passages like this one and read all the  evils listed in their extremis.  You are either a drunkard or you abstain totally.  The same goes for anything on that list.  Fornication? That means no sex before marriage, marriage is for procreation only and fun or pleasure is obviously and totally out of the question. One grenade that I might lob back is the devotion to Mary. Is that Idolatry? It seems to get pretty close. Can we show respect and love for Mary without trying to add her to the Trinity?

         Can't we have moderation? They say an occasional glass of wine, if not one a a day, actually has health benefits, may lower cholesterol and certainly acts as a relaxant at the end of a long work day if not just pleasant socially. The extremes are abstainance and being an alcoholic. If we are lead by the Spirit as this apssage says we should, are we to avoid everything on that list? Who is to interpret?

          There is a passage in Genesis for example, the story of Lot and his guests.  The townsmen wish to 'have their way' with these male guests. This would be aclled rape in case anyone cares to seriously think about it. To make matters worse Lot offers up his two daughters in their place. More rape. Lot wasn't offering the townspeople his daughters hands in marriage. The sexual relations suggested in this passage from Genesis is all about rape, fornication of the worst kind if I may say. Yet this passage is one of the prime sources quoted against homosexuality. These Bibilical experts do not suggest rape or inhospitable townsmen as an evil just man on man rape. So what of the moderation. Rape is bad in any context, straight or gay. This passage does not speak of normative, caring, loving, sharing, consensual and committed sexual relations of any kind, staright or gay. How does man on man rape become a guide to prohibit all sexual relations? If rape is rape, shouldn't straight sex be an abomination too?

            There should be moderation and common sense in all of the scriptures. Extremes of any kind are rarely a good thing. We don't forbid drinking do we?  We seem to settle very well for enmities, strife, jealosusy anger and quarrels. Don't we sknow that the extremes of all of them are bad and we try to minimize them in our lives.  Somewhere in the middle is what I would consider holy ground.

           In everything, moderation.  That is sex, drinking, jealousy and yes even radical interpretations of scripture.  Everything in moderation.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

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.

Sign of the times

Matthew 16:1-12

           Can you see what's going on around you?  Are you caught up in it or are you sticking your head in the sand? I think that might be a question that some Roman Catholics may have been asking as the Second Vatican Council was unfolding. The movement of the Spirit was definitely there and beckoning the Church to open the windows and move into a new era of openness, an era that in many ways returns to the roots of love, compassion and faith in our Savior. It worked and it failed at the same time. There were those that resisted and to this day they do not recognize the movement of the Spirit in that Council. They longed for the good old days when Latin was king even if Latin had absolutely nothing to do with the earliest church founded by Jesus. It was a prevalent language for quite some time but so is English and now so is Spanish. The resistors are epitomized by a faction called the Society of St. Pius X.

             Not too long ago, say 50 years ago, the movement of the Spirit gave power to a movement called civil rights, epitomized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The Gospel was fully alive, the Spirit was fully alive even if there were many so called faithful who resisted and put there head in the sand.

       Today another civil rights movement is alive and it is carrying people in the movement of the Spirit to recognition of equality for the gay community.  Whether it is marriage equality or GENDA or the realization that gay people are created and loved by God like everyone else, the Spirit is alive in moving us to greater love, inclusion and hope for a better more loving world. There are those that resist, naysayers, again the so called faithful that look back to a time that never really existed except in their own convoluted minds backed up by selected passage of misquoted and mistranslated scripture.  The Spirit will not be overwhelmed by negativity and lies.

        These movements of the Spirit seem as obvious to us as when Jesus spoke to the The Pharisees and Sadducees in the passage for today.  Some people will always refuse to see. The will not see the Spirit, they will not see the glory of God in this world, they will not see miracles that occur all the time and sadly, they very well may not see eternal happiness either.

          I am not arguing to get carried up in any movement that comes along. I am not saying get carried away in the hysteria that often accompanies a Fox 'news' broadcast.  We can surely get carried away with any number of societal movements that bear all the markings of the evil one.  The test is that of love. When it is all said and done, is there a foundation of love, the love of Christ? That would be the arbiter of the Spirit because they proceed from each other, eh? Christ, the Spirit and the Father.  Say Amen!

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, ‘When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.” And in the morning, “It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ Then he left them and went away.

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have brought no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’ Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.