Other Me Too moments

      I long ago committed to erasing the word hate from my lexicon. I put that word right up there with the “C” and “N” words, they have no legitimate use. 

        Today’s passage from Matthew is quite a bold note from Jesus’ play book. This is why the two great commandments are much more difficult to follow than the mere Ten. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ you can no longer follow as a rule obeying, maniacal minion of some organized ‘Christian ‘ religion that espouses strict adherence to man made laws. Now what is demanded of followers is the use of brain, intelligence and most of all, how can we love? Not an easy task.

        It seems so easy to note the absurdity and sadness of a church holding banners that read that “God hates fags”. Placed in the light if this reading from Matthew, we see the patent absurdity of it, the wrongness and evil of it.  We can even use this passage to make note of just how evil our very own President is, how his life is a witness to sin and actually a rebuke of Christ and all that us holy. 

       I myself fight not to use that “H” word in my view of his hypocrisy, the hypocrisy of the Roman Church or the ignorance and unloving un-Christian anti LGBTQ zealots. And there is where the tables turn for me and perhaps all of us. In trying to not to utter the word “hate” I have already condemned myself. I am guilty as charged right from this very passage. How do you respond to the vitriol and political vices of our times?  Those two great commandments ask us, nay, demand that if claim to be believers of Christ we cannot pay simple lip service to our stated beliefs. We must back them up certainly by loving actions but more importantly those loving actions must be from a pure conversion of heart. We must use our consciences and brain to analyze and adhere to policies bearing thoughtful love as fruit. How am I doing with that? How about you? Can we reread today’s passage from Matthew (below) and give s status report on how we respond to Christ’s call for love, inclusion and forgiveness, even to forgive ourselves as much as others?

Matthew 5:21-26

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