If you have to justify your acts, then you are likely wrong.

       As humans we seem to be able to justify almost any action. Perhaps worst of all, we are able to do the mental gymnastics to contort Scripture and say it is God's will or say that it is actually God doing the justifying. 'I don't want to do this but God says so, it's right here in Vincent 1:23-45'.  How many wars have been justified, the Crusades, burnings, hate and errant thought.

       Many years ago, on a much smaller scale, there was a new car I wanted. Not a car, a van. It was the van of vans. Plush seats, buckets for everyone, all wheel drive, every convenience for it's time. I wanted it.  If I did half the exercise today than the mental exercises I went through to justify purchasing that van, I'd be a much skinnier man.  So, I bought the van of course, paid for with a loan the size of Kilimanjaro for my time. The payments were astronomical for my salary and responsibilities. It was the height of living beyond one's means, a real testament to living to the secular worlds standards.  I was the envy of many. Gas crunches and high payments translated to one huge net effect - I could sometimes not afford o drive the darn thing. The idea that I would use it to drive my bed ridden mother to my home from her nursing home vanished like a wisp. She was so ensconced in her digs she was traumatized when she was moved from her now cozy, comfortable and stable environment.  I quite rarely got to use this beautiful van in any way associated with what I had envisioned or how I justified it's purchase.

          Long story I suppose to note how we justify things in life. The passage from Matthew highlights this message for me and us this morning. The actions of so many evangelicals and Christians that support hate, tyranny and amoral behaviours is astounding. I am certainly not a saint by any means. It is almost entertaining though how whole groups of alleged holy people, religious leaders find justification. I have no way of knowing how one can support what is being done to the least of our brothers and sisters, the children at our borders.  I have no idea what passage it is that allows a philanderer, adulterer and serial liar to be justified by these evangelicals. 

        The message for us in how to act and live by Jesus was not based on the New Testament. It had not been written yet. The early church in it's exponential growth was not based on preaching of the Gospels - it was preaching of the Good News. Faith derived from the life and actions of Christ. It was the message of "The Way" that converted, not quotations and justifications. The Apostles spoke of how Jesus lived, they conveyed the stories of who Jesus spoke to, dined, with, welcomed and forgave. It was the actual life of Jesus and his willingness to die for his lived message that converted people.  It was NOT cute snippets of quoted scripture that justified a human agenda.

       Let it be said correctly, if you need to justify your actions, you are most probably wrong, on the wrong rack and far from what Jesus preached. We can justify anything and it is much worse and damming when we use the inspired words of God to promote an agenda or a set of myopic beliefs.  Just don't do it.

       For clear thought and love without justifications for evil acts, we pray

Matthew 21:23-32

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

The mission is simple, should you decide to accept it.

      I recall when my children were very young and I was busy, busy, busy with all the attendant details of raising them, I had lamented that I no longer had time to do some of the volunteer work that I used to be able to do. I know that I thought about this for quite a while. I also know that I came to the conclusion that raising my kids was a mission and a calling. Raising my kids was a way of changing the world from my little inner circle outwards.  That is one of the facets of Baptism. It is probably what HRC spoke of when she wrote, It Takes A Village.  No grand gestures but we all play a part in changing the world for the better, each in our own small supporting ways. Mine was to raise my kids into faithful servants knowing they are fully loved and graced with special gifts that only they have, given to them by the Creator.

        The trick in all that is not to get swamped in trying to accomplish too much by yourself. Unless that is a specific gift you happen to be graced with, slow down a bit, do what you are being called to do.  Doing too much is a form of arrogance and someone is bound to suffer. Your mission is bound to suffer.

        When I was in the process of Ordination, my then spouse was asked to sign a document that lay out that I was going to be doing enormous works that would possibly        ( and most assuredly did ) take me away from the duties at home and that they were a willing participant in this endeavor. Call it spousal approval for what some have called the Church as the 'other woman' if you will. 

         After I was released from my vows, both clerical and spousal, I met a wonderful man that I came to fall in love with.  At the same time I moved to the Episcopal church as I was probably one all my life anyway. ( I think most Roman Catholics are ). My beliefs and notions more closely aligned with them and dare I say, the teachings and life of Christ.  That only brought up the possibility of me returning to a clerical state by becoming an Episcopal Deacon.  I realized though, as I had with my own children, that my mission, goal, calling and life was to be one of a married man. That means to me, living the life of Christ as a companion and lover solely of my other, my husband. I am active in the church for sure, but I am cognizant that my primary ministry is to love my spouse and be a witness to God's love in so doing.

       This all came flooding back to me as I read today's passage. The fledgling and growing church of the Acts of the Apostles spelled out virtually the same thing I have come to know. The Apostles noted that they should 'not neglect the word of God by waiting on tables'.  And so individuals called to another service was created, the diaconate or diaconia. The Apostles realized that if they did too much or tried to carry out too much by themselves someone would suffer. There is great wisdom in that now just as it was realized back then.

       Sometimes I am amazed at how much I used to do as a Roman Deacon. I ran around for countess hours doing a million things and I know that everyone suffered for my busyness, not the least of which was my family. I have had the time to reflect and know that we often are not called to grand designs, plans and service. Perhaps in our arrogance we think we are being called to such. We are actually called to be the best person we are in the realm we are in. Parent, spouse, uncle, whomever. Be the best we can be, know we are witnesses to God's love in the world. If we all do that, the world would be a much better place. Christians might actually resemble Christ.  Religions might point us towards holiness and wholeness not simply honored and praised abiders of rules and rubrics.

         For our simple missions in life that graces and exalts God and the love bestowed on us, we pray.

Acts 6:1-15

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables.Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazarethwill destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Dissipation and Drunkeness

        The early Christian church was certain that the end times were within their own lifespan. They fully expected Jesus' return before this 'generation passes away'. That clearly has not been the case. Over 2000 years have passed since His death and resurrection. What is a person to think?

         But there is one thing of which we can be certain, death. Add in taxes if you like. I am more concerned with the fact that we will all die. No one will escape that fate or that moment of transformation, promise and elevation to our heavenly inheritance. The question is always - when? If you read today's passage with the lens of our own mortality, it makes a great deal of sense. If we take this passage to heart it is a reminder of how to live our lives and to not get caught in the trap of complacency. We should not 'forget' God and fall into dissipation and drunkenness. 

       This is not a new message either. Some people will rant and rave about the gays and what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. That is the sin of which we dare not speak.  It is a horribly warped mistranslation of scripture to suit their own warped views of sexuality. Early Rabbinical scholars had it right long before the Roman church co opted and bastardized the intended meaning of the passage of Sodom and Gomorrah. Those early Rabbinical scholars knew that the sin was one of selfishness, power, greed and a lack of hospitality.  If anyone really wants to refute those scholars, you point them to Ezekiel 16:48–50 where the sin is outlined clearly.

          The first reminder for humanity not to be selfish, to welcome 'the stranger' and be good hosts to foreigners, is right there in scripture numerous times and again today in Luke's passage.

         We are reminded that we should all act like today may be our last. We should all act as if Jesus will return today, or at least we may be going to meet him! Do not become complacent in your love, your generosity or your hospitality. Do not fall into dissipation and drunkenness and allow worldly things to replace God in your heart.

          For right focus, love, hospitality and generosity we pray this day.

Luke 21:29-36

Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

Socialism and sacramental living

      I was so utterly dumbfounded one day in seminary. Our class was presently in a canon law course. This course covers miles and miles of subjects involving Sacraments to vocations and vacations, celibacy and sins. I still recall the emphasis placed on not doing anything that would invite scandal. It seemed that scandal was worse than any sin. That would be a whole other blog entry. One of the things that our Canon Lawyer Priest lecturer noted was that we should not be involved in any unions, as in trade unions, labor unions etc.  I am absolutely sure he saw the contortions in my facial expressions as if my brain was about to burst into a cloud of confetti and dust. This following the segment on scandal just about had me walking out of the room. I belonged to a union myself, the nations largest union of college educators, I was heavily involved and it is my Christian values and beliefs that drove my involvement. Now I was being told not to be involved. I still scratch my head at that one.

          I have a old friend from my childhood and we have reconnected on Facebook. She has recently taken to posts that make digs and lament socialism. While I have no desire to go to some template of socialism that is in any way reminiscent of the days of Hitler and Mussolini, I know that we already have in existence many facets of socialism in this great country. I also know that we are not obliged to use any one as a template if we wish to expand on the concept of socialism here in the United States of America. We have the intelligence and great minds to create a truly great socialist democracy. I wish we could find a way for us to  rehabilitate that word 'socialism' and move forward to a society that respects all citizens and helps all citizens be the best that they can be. Free from the tyranny of worry about medicals bills or housing concerns so that they can be productive and contributing to society in more substantive ways.  Am I a socialist? or a communist?  These beliefs are driven not only from my Christian belief that we are all brothers and sisters, all children of God but it also comes right out of today's passage from Scripture.

             I thoroughly believe that the more you are given, the more responsibility to help you are also given. If we truly see everyone as children of God, our brothers and sisters, it also seems we should want to help everyone. The playing field of life's necessities should be a major thrust of our faith in action. Today's passage from the Acts of the Apostles only seems to confirm that notion.

           For level playing fields, activism and yes, even socialism, I pray this day.

Acts 4:32-5:11

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!’ Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.’ And she said, ‘Yes, that was the price.’ Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.

More reasons to love

       I know that we all have an innate desire to understand things. It is part of our makeup and it is the reason we have advanced in understanding and in the sciences. But there is false reasoning out there too that is so counter to the intelligence that God has given us as to be more akin to voodoo than God's gift of intelligence. The span of such fake reasoning and pseudo intelligence is quite wide.

      In today's passage there is the argument that culminates with the question, David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ It's as if they want to understand but they cannot grasp it by using their own limited understanding and intelligence. They cannot seem to get it, they cannot see past their own limited logic.

      It is incredibly sad today to see those faux faithful elite that come out with statements like 'as long as gay rights are pursued, more hurricanes will hit the east coast'. I've read such tripe. It has to be some of the stupidest things I have ever heard. That and such things as tornado's are God's punishment against America for this or that contrived sin.

        I can't just look at just these faux faithful preachers and televangelists either.  Perhaps the bigger sins are whole religions that rely on their spurious reasoning, logic and 'tradition' in their promulgation of rules, rubrics and policies that effect millions of people, God's children.

        For example, I myself do not understand why ( if God even intervenes in such a micro manager way ) some people are born with ambiguous genitals. I don't fully comprehend why it took me almost 50 years to realize I am Gay. I also don't understand why we have massive hurricanes and floods. I would be more likely to attach the actions of humankind and what I call 'social sin' as the root cause of natural disasters. To me it would be man's abuse of nature as a root cause. I am quite sure we may even one day be able to define the science behind it all. Perhaps we already have in the scientific hints of global warming theory and facts.

         The point is, when we try to play God by defining or deciding what God thinks or intends we are being incredibly arrogant and at least insulting God that we of limited intellect could ever understand anything completely and thoroughly.  

       The ancients asked Jesus, whose sin is it, the blind man or his parents' sins that caused the blindness?  What a truly dopey thought. I hope you agree. I think Jesus' answer was quite telling for us even today. It was neither but an opportunity for the blind man and us to be witness to God's kingdom. How does the blind person respond to their challenge? How do we respond in love to that person? The related question then isn't what causes the hurricanes per say, but how do we respond in love and intellect to the fact that they are occurring? Do we support the injured and those traumatized by the storms? Do we see if we are as humans responsible in some way and take action to prevent whatever we are capable of preventing?  Storms will occur, how do we then witness to the kingdom of God in love?

        Knowing answers is nice and wonderful even. But sometimes we are not capable of knowing. We should not then rely on fake reasoning, hate and voodoo to come up with answers. Because we may not understand, it is no reason to hate. Because we don't understand, it may in fact be a reason to love.

Luke 20:41-21:4

Then he said to them, ‘How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son?For David himself says in the book of Psalms,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand, 
   until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” 
David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’

In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

Rebel Christians

       I have made note numerous times that Jesus was a rebel. Whether it was reaching out to the marginalized, congregating with sinners or calling the religious elite to task, Jesus was a real rebel.  In today's passage Jesus even speaks to the point of separation of church and state - give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God's. It does not stop there though. The Apostles picked up the reigns of his message and brought out even more rebelliousness.  The Apostles opened up the message to all, Jew and Gentile. The Apostles lived in commune, a radical expression of unified love for each other. People sold what they had for the common good and shared everything in common. In today's passage they expressed the early marking of a democratic society by the election (cast lots) for the replacement of Judas and a new twelfth Apostle. Democracy, almost communism, speaking to Samaritan women, consorting with lepers and sinners, Oh my!

         It is amazing that there are so called Christians out there that seem to miss the vast majority of Jesus' message, feigning religiosity and preferring judgment and hate.

       As Christians we are called to a radical expression of love. It is not simple, it is challenging and takes us to the depths of our soul and existence to share all we are with every single person. A radical notion even today, perhaps more so.

       The notions of Democracy and holding things in common is an extension of our recognition and concern that every single human is our brother or sister. Our radical concern for the environment is a recognition and concern for God's created world that has been entrusted to us to use but not to abuse. 

       Today I pray for how I will carry Jesus' extreme message of love into our world. Can I be as rebellious? As inclusive? As blind to societal strata?  I pray for all of us this day.

         

Acts 1:15-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms,
“Let his homestead become desolate,
   and let there be no one to live in it”;
and
“Let another take his position of overseer.” 
So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

The arrogance of seeming to know the mind of God

 Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Melt me, mold me , fill me, use me.                 Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

       For many years one of my best friends was one of my brothers-in-law.  He was a good man who had an experience as a youth, at the hands of a neighbor, that made him somewhat homophobic. That experience tainted his life a bit. Needless to say, when I came out at the age of 50, he was deeply upset. I am not aware of the depth of his horror but I know for certain we are no longer friends. I thought of that relationship in my life when I read about the story of Marina (Mariam), the monk whom we remember this day. When Marina died and was his body was being dressed for burial, his fellow monks discovered he had been born a woman. I can imagine that their reaction may have been similar to that of my ex brother-in-law. Perhaps a feeling of betrayal, perhaps revulsion. The story goes that a blind monk received sight after having touched the mere corpse of Marina for the burial process.

        One of my role models as I was coming to terms with being gay was Bishop Gene Robinson. I went to simply be in his presence a few times at lectures and  read his book 

In The Eye Of The Storm. One thing Bishop Robinson noted that the battle over equality and gay rights is that "it's about hearts, not parts". How very true that is.  In the case of Marina, his service and dedication to God was not contingent on what sex he was or was not. The Spirit of God in the miracle Marina conveyed was not whom The Church would have chosen. Likely, had it known that Marina was Mariam, the story would have had a decidedly different ending.  The Roman church has the arrogance to think it knows the will of God and has thoroughly convinced itself that their thought processes, treatises, logic and tradition all make them correct. They believe they know the will of God. In fact, they seem to think they are the will of God. Such arrogance will be their continued downfall.

        The mystery of life and of God is not to be revealed to we humans in it's totality. Perhaps we will never know on this side of the grave if at all. God gives us hints in the created wold of the mind of God. God gives us hints as to Her own very nature by the things She created.  The created world cannot be pigeon holed or set into tidy black and white cubicles. To do so insults God and denies the awesome power of God to be ALL things, even the things we fail to understand or refuse to recognize as gray, beige or as in the rainbow.

       In our arrogance and failure to be open to the vast variety of God's creation, we deny the very Spirit that moves us forward. In denying the Advocate promised by Christ, we deny God and hasten our death. By not being open to every single person, especially those in the LGBTQ community, we deny the face of God and we die.

        At several family funerals that I attended, even after separation from that family, I had occasion to see again that ex brother-in-law.  He was a mere shell of his former self. I pray for him as I pray for me and all of society and for that Roman Church that also is dying.  Of all things in life, we must be open to the gifts, graces and diversity of God. If we do not, we stunt ourselves and the growth towards our very wholeness and holiness.  My ex brother-in-law dies daily in his unwillingness or inability to accept and love of even himself, let alone me or others who are 'different'.  The Roman Church dies daily in it's arrogance in thinking it knows the will of God, the mind of God. There is no room for the Spirit there.

           I pray today for the conversion of hearts, not parts. Parts which are far less important and far more difficult to understand or even define. God is so inscrutable. The Spirit gives life and our witness is total and unabashed love for all.

Acts 1:1-14

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son ofJames. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Abba, Father. Creator God.

       I cannot speak for everyone about Fathers, Dads or Pops. There are exceptions to every rule but as a rule, most fathers are genuinely loving, compassionate, thoughtful, wise and nurturing. It is with these fathers in mind that we feel comfort in saying "Our Father" , the one who created it all, loves us with reckless abandon, is nurturing, loves us without exception and wants only the best for us. That is our Father, creator God. Whom Jesus called "Abba" or to us, translated as "Daddy".

          I know of a few instances within my own family where the trusted and holy position of father was not always what it should have been. Several of my own brothers did not have many kind things to say about our own earthly father. He left when I was five years old and as the youngest, I missed a whole lot of bad that my siblings saw first hand - and belt. My reconciliation with 'the man' was then  somewhat simpler and an easier one.  He had grown and matured, suffered from his own weaknesses and eventually found peace which was where we were able to reconcile and actually become friends. For many years I was blessed with his presence, wisdom and care.  Several of my brothers never were able to find him or forgiveness or just simply see his metamorphosis.  The thing is though, the desire to see and be nurtured by our father, earthly or heavenly is as strong as a force can be. Even in hate or dislike of our father we are confessing to the importance of the role. We are holding high the ideal because we perhaps rabidly profess the failures we may have seen. In the diminishing we acknowledge the ideal.

         And so in today's reading, no matter what your experience of 'father' is, we know that our entire life is a search for wholeness and holiness that originates from the Creator. We are nothing without the being that instigated our being before biology with a single thought that what the world needed was a you. By being the best and total you you have been created to be, we cooperate with our design as a human and a s a child of the Creator. The ultimate Fathers Day gift is to learn, love and be who we have created to be.  So long as we emulate, cooperate and are generous with our love, we are gracing the Father, Creator God. We hold high the goodness and love we have received by spreading the love, the Word, our essence.

          So we honour today our Father and fathers, step fathers, grandfathers and fathers of every kind that emulate and cooperate. We give thanks and praise this day.     

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. 

Getting that liberal Spirit

       Yesterday I spoke somewhat about the movement of the Spirit and how we have been guided as humans, as individuals, as a church. I suppose you could make a "half glass empty" argument that the world is in a shambles. Every kind of human malfunction, nature being destroyed at our hands and the extent of human avarice has in many cases  wrongfully replaced God as a supposed ultimate end of our existence. But like they say, they don't make hearses with luggage racks do they?

       If you are the kind of person that is faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, you likely are a "glass half full" kind of person.  You recognize the evils of the world, the errant behaviors but we also are cognizant of the presence of God in our world and the continuing movement of the Spirit in our lives. Yesterday I noted a mere few of those situations. But when you look at the advances of mankind and the rampant love that still exists, that is the movement of the Spirit.  We are growing as people as well as individuals.  Rather than regress and deny, we open our hearts, minds and souls to the never ending , always expanding love of God.  We are called to move forward in human rights, dignity, love, generosity and with forgiving hearts. Knowing that every creation of this world is beloved by God. We are called to acknowledge and honor that by our actions, our lives, our faith.  

         In thanksgiving for the Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday, we pray for wholeness and holiness.

John 14:21-29

They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

A community of faith, the Spirit alive!

        I was thinking about our need as Christians, or any faith for that matter, to stay in community.  Our whole life is one of community, family and otherwise. Our God is a triune God, one of not only community but of creation and total love. Even our governments are ones of a community and common good.  We are dependent on each other and our lives are committed to loving others as God loves us.

         One of the prime acts of community in religion is a religious service, a Mass, common prayer or some such. We need common prayer and worship. It speaks to an acceptance of the good within each one of us and our acceptance that our presence is special, unique and required within the community of faith. We would be missed. We are needed as a member of the faith community.  Similarly, we need to support others who come together in strength and weakness to worship and find nourishment from the whole.  Worship is not a singular personal act.  The fact that so many people are retreating from churches because of scandal and hypocrisy is a horrific stain on the church proper that  has driven these people away from community that is actually needed for us to be whole and holy. Yet organized religion often turns people away, figuratively and literally. It is ironic, sad and beyond comprehension how someone who claims to follow Christ could actually judge or exclude anyone.  So the Spirit calls us to holiness, everyone sees and feels that while the church proper often negates that invitation and calling of the people. Do you think that God weeps over this? I certainly do.

             Just as the Spirit calls us all to holiness and community, the Spirit has been moving and active since before time. In today's passage we see a tectonic shift in faith. The Spirit is putting into words the revelation that God no longer wants sacrifices of animals. God no longer wants the blood of anything or anyone. God has given His own blood for us once and for all. That is a tectonic shift driven by the Spirit. Humanity is being informed to grow up. You are 'old enough' now to understand that God does not want sacrifices, God wants love. That is the message of Jesus.  Yet we cling to old ways and old judgments.

            So the Spirit is alive and well. One could hardly enumerate the actions of the Spirit in the world and in our lives. The negation of the need for Sacrifices. Paul's arguments that salvation is open to all, not just the Jewish community. The Second Vatican Council showed the Spirit as alive and powerful only to be snuffed out and ignored by subsequent actions and behavior by the church. The point is that the Spirit is alive and well. The Spirit dwells within us as it speaks to our innate need for holiness and spirituality.  I am reminded that an integral part of our need for holiness and spirituality is the acceptance and attendance in community. Mass. Church. Temple, Mosque, etc. etc.

       For our need a community of faith and our presence in it, we pary.

Hebrews 9:1-14

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies.In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail.

Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right.

But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come,then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

Rebel Jesus, rebel woman

        That amazing rebel Jesus!  I should have been enough for the world to see what Scripture shows:  women were the first witnesses to the Resurrection. To my mind, that alone is perhaps one of the first manifestations of the Spirit that women are to play a key and co-role in the Church ( and world ). But there were other telling signs and stories. Here we have Martha and Mary. I can almost picture Jesus answering like a line from The Brady Bunch, 'Martha, Martha, Martha' , The father gives gifts and opportunities to all and no one should be diminished or prevented from achieving their talents and callings. So basically, 'let Mary stay, she knows what is the most important'. Ouch. 

        Jesus stands up for women in the church, Jesus stands up against a long held paradigm of what is purported to be a 'women's role' in life.  Jesus speaks up against following the norms and following societal beliefs here. He just is such an amazing rebel. How could you not love this guy?

          In another striking example, Jesus speaks to a societally sinful Samaritan women at the well.  Three strikes would be the rule for many to ward off this interaction. Woman? Samaritan? Multiple husbands and now living in sin? Jesus sees none of that or if he does, it does not seem to matter to him. 

         This is once again Pride month. Do we know what is most important? Do we see what Mary saw and what Jesus chastised Martha over?  It isn't Women's history month or women's pride month but still, can't we elevate and celebrate and be proud of  who we all are?  The banner of LGBTQ+ is rather broad. Can we find pride in the gifts God gave us, no matter who we are? Are not the equal rights that we fight for just as valued and due women?

           As I take Pride in who I am and acknowledge the gifts and graces God has given to me as a person, in who I am, I cannot help but think of everyone else and especially today, the women who have been witnesses and rebels of Christ to me and the world.

     For rebel Jesus, women and equal rights for all, we pray.  

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Justifiable

       Given the opportunity,  I suspect we could all come up with an explanation for one of the many errant things we have done in our lives. There is always a reason. Even the hate mongers have - a reason. Likely, that hate monger contorts Scripture and presumes that only they know what God truly intends. It just so happens to coincide with their own warped and imperfect vision of reality. Justifications abound.

      I do love how Jesus gives the lawyer a zetz. Not content to simply clarify what it means to love and specifically, "who is my neighbor?", Jesus picks the lowest of the low for his hero. A Samaritan who does the good that a Priest and a Levite would not do.  I think the haters would be stunned when Jesus might say the good an (illegal) immigrant would do, or a person with AIDS or a gay married couple would do to help a poor soul. The fact is, the haters don't see very much good in anyone or anything that does not jive with their view of life or of God.

       But let me not rail too much on the haters. Let's look at you and me. Who do we think our neighbor is?  As much as I dislike that "H" word, it is a two way street.  Dislike goes both ways. I am not sure I see much good at all coming from the far right so called Christian Conservatives out there. I justify myself by noting how hypocritical they are. I note the anti-gay zealot who has secretly been having a gay affair behind his wife's back. I see the famous ex-gay therapy guy who recently came out as gay. The Catholics who rally "pro-life" but support cuts to every other life supporting measure for the citizenry. The contradictions and fake justifications seem so obvious to so many of us. Perhaps we should be a bit more understanding especially in light of the obviousness of their personal plight and self hate.

          But we do like to justify ourselves. That hasn't changed.  I did not come out until the age of 50. That is, it took that long for me to connect the dots and overcome some obviously serious self denial. It all seems amazingly obvious now.  I was blessed to realize that I could not hate those that did not understand. If it took me 50 years, how could I expect someone else to accept me right away?  Justification is also a two way street. Our love and compassion should allow us to see others' apparent failings and shortcomings and love them anyway.  We have to realize we too have many of those same failings and shortcomings and perhaps quite a few more.

            Justify all you want. But  at least try to be brutally honest with yourself. Most of all, in your justifications and hopefully not that "H" word, remember that our primary goal, mission and calling is to love.

       For lots of loving, no judgments and scant justifications, we pray this day. 

Luke 10:25-37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

No sin in Pride!

       In this Pride month, I can understand those that think "Pride" in being gay is not something to actually be proud of. The fact is, as a Christian or any other denomination for that matter the ultimate thing we are attempting to attain and give thanks for is the love of God and our eternal inheritance.

        But let's make this clear, Gay Pride is not about diminishing God and it is not about so many notches on a bedpost, that ledger system that was devised by the straight community. Let all things be in perspective. The fact remains that the world at large has demeaned, diminished and vilified those that are gay. Well, at least in recent times. Previous generations and civilizations were well aware of same sex attraction. This natural God given phenomena was accepted and often celebrated. The purpose was not to conquer or recruit but to celebrate a finite percentage lets say, of those that God created as 'two spirit' . If conquering and recruitment were the intention, we have failed since 'gayness' has been around forever and the vast majority of people are still straight.

     The fact is that people that negate and diminish the gay community are demeaning and rejecting the Creator.  They place their own paradigm ahead of God's diverse universe and in doing so they are rejecting God in favor of their own ideas, their own myopic plans. 

      The recent historical diatribes against the gay community and against equal rights is nothing more than a godless movement towards celebrating what man wants to define God as. God is undefinable but reveals Herself in creation. So we should celebrate straight and gay, left and right handers, black and white, Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese and Native Americans. God's diversity is so present we really have to be rather dumb not to see it.

        The idea of Gay Pride is a celebration of God's gift to mankind. Gay Pride is a fight for equality and a showcase of the love and magnificence that we have as being gay. No greater than other gifts but why should we not celebrate God's gifts?  Why not be proud of God's gifts to us? So long as they do not eclipse God in our hearts and so long as we don't judge our gifts better than someone else's, I say party on! Bedazzle with beads, break out the boas and bodacious booties! March and dance with the energy and love God smiles at, appreciates and would take part in.

          For discovery and celebrating being a member of the LGBTQ community and for equal rights for all mankind we pray this day, this month and always.

           

Luke 10:17-24

The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’

The basics, back to the basics

       One of the things I had noted in reading through the Hebrew Scriptures is how many times the Israelites strayed, doubted and worshiped false Gods only to be taken back by God, again, and again and again. We don't always seem to get it through our heads as 'stiff necked people' that we are saved and that we are to love one another. Dont get caught up in the whirlwind of worldly distractions.

        This is highlighted not only in individual lives but in Churches as well. There is a need for constant renewal, a calling back into reflection on the basics of humanity and of our faiths. It was a glorious time when the Second Vatican council convened. There was hope, renewal and reflection on what that Church intended to be as called by Christ.

        We too need to reflect. That is a large part of what Lent was. But have we forgotten what we learned if we have learned anything?  It is not a focus on all the rules, the smells and bells, the rubrics and some inane desire to make 'us' better by demeaning others. But judge seems to be what we do.

     The message that I believe we are called to in Lent, in life and right now, is one of fundamentalism to the life of Christ. It is not a fundamentalism born of oft quotes scriptural snippets, mistranslated and self serving lines of Scripture. Anyone can do that and often do.

The fundamentalism we are called to is to be exactly who we are are as a person and guided by the life actions of Christ. The words of Scripture as transcribed by man are quite often tainted by that all too human process. What has not been tainted is the actual life of Christ. The purity and expansiveness of His love is the fundamentalism I feel called to.

        When you look at the actual life of Christ as witnessed by Scriptural accounts, we see an all embracing, all loving man who showed us how to live. Be the best person you can be and share that with everyone without judgment or some errant thought that your gifts are better than someone else's.

        In this Pride month, I feel called to step back, reflect and be the best gay man I can be. Just how God made me. What gifts did God grace me with in addition to being Gay that will allow me to further His call of love for the world?  Helping others, loving my husband passionately?   What talents have I been given to advance the love of God in this world?

       For talents, gifts, loving and fundamental Christian lives, I pray

Hebrews 6:1-12

Therefore let us go on towards perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith towards God, instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. And we will do this, if God permits. For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.

Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sakein serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.