What our actions say

      We've all heard horrible stories about abusive spouses who are very apologetic and remorseful after they berate and beat someone they supposedly love. It is a vicious cycle that speaks volumes. Hatred, violence and empty words have no place in a loving relationship of any kind. We know that it is not the words that matter as much as how we act the rest of the time.

         We are all familiar with recent political events when a candidate espouses any number of people's causes. He proclaims to be a friend, the best friend and no one is a better friend than he and of course "everyone says so". Whether woman, gays, blacks, the environment or other group or causes, the actions have screamed louder than those empty words. We are in horrible trouble.  I am not so much speaking against an amoral, irrational, self centered lying President as much as noting that words are often very hollow while actions are the true measure of a person.

           When the gay community speaks that we should live out and proud and be visible, it is because we know that people will see and note that whomever they encounter as a gay person is a good person. They might say, 'they are a good couple', or he or she is a good person. Good attributes based on good actions and good living. We live and love as anyone else.

          But the key to everything is our actions.  We have such examples of what bad is all around us. It is truly time we give examples of what good is and hold that standard high. Hold each to the words they proclaim. Ask Christians to defend their beliefs and proclamations compared to how they act, what they 'overlook' and the way they live. Are you 'pro-life' or simply pro-birth? If you believe in the Ten commandments how do you feel about brazen adultery in people in high places? (or is that low places?). While I caution against judgment the fact is that we have reason to doubt peoples and politicians whose actions are a far cry from their words.

       What our actions say is louder than hollow words and proclamations.

Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Eyes open everyone

     Without diminishing what I feel is a strong need for education, if not an urgent need, everything we need to learn is at hand to us.  If we open our eyes we would be able to see the abundance of lessons to be learned in every aspect of life. God's created world is full of lessons for us and full of explanations and revelations about the created world. God's creation.

        In today's passage the Pharisees and Sadducees are asking for signs when everything is evident around us. It is the lazy people who try to make broad generalizations and paint things with black and white brushes. The truth is the world is a cacophony of beauty, a diverse and magical world for those who open their eyes and not so lazy. In shouldn't are eyes be open all the time? 

       When your eyes are closed you see male and female. When your eyes are open you see the vast array of male, female, both, neither and a variety of in between. All quite visible to us in the world around us, plants and animals all alive with a diverse vision of God's world. If your eyes are open.

       I guess it comes down to your eyes being open and your faith in God. Do you believe it is a beautiful, hopeful and loving world created by God? If you do your eyes will see the wonders. If you do not, you probably see black white and very little gray. Sort of a scene from a Batman movie, all shadows and darkness.

       As humans, Christians or whatever faith system, we are called to love and spotlight what beauty and love exists. You don't need a formal education to do that.  You need only keep your eyes open in wonder and awe.

Matthew 16:1-4

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.

What's the difference

     I had the privilege yesterday of a drive through the mountains to see a quite elderly friend of my husband. She has been a light to so many and now resides in a senior living facility several hours away. We  don't get to see her as often as we'd like although we are on the phone with her almost daily. The differences in her from our last visit was striking enough to think she was a different person.  Her abilities in every way diminished from walking and simple movement to hearing and stature and the presence she has always exuded. In one way it seemed said but truly, a new opportunity for us to love.

      One constant about life is change. Perhaps change is the definition of life. Another hallmark of life is love and loving. Jesus certainly has that mastered as you'd expect. The long ride home yesterday gave me sufficient time to ponder the changes and differences in all of us. Right or wrong, good or bad, our existences are opportunities to love.  The changes in our friend offered us the opportunity to assess and alter how we could love her. From the way we listened to the way we could assist her mobility to appreciate her new needs. These are all opportunities to love. 

           Rather than see differences in people that we might use as excuses to withdraw, dislike, dismiss or even fear, Jesus is teaching us to look at a person and see nothing but opportunities to love.  And even as we look at ourselves and perhaps see things we may not actuallyl like, an opportunity to love ourselves as well. 

      I spoke yesterday of an aunt who said she did not understand my being gay but knew I was a good man and loved me.  We cannot understand all the differences in those around us, people we are called to love. But love we must and we must try to see the beautiful essence in someone that God sees without judgment. Tough task for sure. 

       If we are truly committed to our mission, our calling to love, then I think we will have less of a problem judging and see more of the joys in life, more of the beauty that God sees in all of us. 

Matthew 15:29-31

After Jesus had left that place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the mountain, where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

When did He know?

    So when did Jesus know?  At this point in Jesus' ministry he is proclaiming that he was  'was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’  This is hardly the all embracing, loving, inclusive Jesus that we come to know through the rest of the Scriptures. When or how did Jesus decide that all of humanity was to receive the message of salvation?  

     Let's look back a bit.  First, for whom was this author writing? What messages was he/she or they trying to convey to their target audience? Each Gospel did have a target audience, each book of the New Testament had a different human author with different intent, however inspired.  That is one reason Jesus may have been presented this way.

      Another reason is that perhaps as fully human, Jesus allowed himself the joys of discovering embracing love?  Someone may read this and think I am a heretic but is it wrong to think that Jesus was on a journey of discovery himself? Did he have the knowledge of all creation at age seven?  How and when did Jesus come to know exactly who he was if he did not have all the information all the time.  In today's passage, Jesus is changing his mind a bit it seems. Yes, your faith is great, your daughter is healed. Embracing love.

         It is difficult for us to love sometimes when we are taught at such young ages to hate or that some people are less than others. All the more reason for us to become educated, to think about all of God's creations and come to know that we are all brothers and sisters. We are all children of God. God's love is for everyone.

         During this month of gay pride, the calling is for us to embrace everyone even though we may not understand everything.  Some years ago I discovered through the grapevine that my elderly Aunt thought I was mad at her. I had not called in some time.  In fact, there was no malice, no anger, I simply did not want to place my newly outed person into situations where I would be a target of misunderstanding or judgment.  Anyway, perhaps that was a lack of faith on my part at the time but in any event, I called. I spoke the truth to my beloved aunt. She said right up front that she did not understand such things. She did say however that she knew I was a good and loving person, that she knew that that had not changed and that she loved me very much.  Well into her 80's and such wisdom, such faith in action. Unrestricted, embracing love. Joy.

          Can we each try to know people and realize how much God loves them? certainly as much as God loves me or you. Can we see goodness even as we don't understand? Can we try to be as loving as Jesus calls us to be? 

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

Cedar siding

      I was sitting in on a presentation yesterday, a business meeting actually, where we looked at different options for the siding in our aging community.  This would be a joint decision. We looked at all the options and associated costs and tried to get an idea of what the job would entail and the impact on our community.  Part of the decision was looking at potential rabbit holes that each option might open up. 'What if' this happens or that happens, unforeseen costs of each option. We wanted to be as ready as we could be.

       "if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into". We do try to prepare for life don't we?  I recall a professor in college who lectured nonstop from the moment we sat down until the moment we left the room. There was no question as to what would be on the exam - every single thing! We would study as hard as we could and then proclaim that we have prepared as best we can. Again, we do try to prepare, don't we?

         I suppose if we knew the moment we were going to die, we might try to prepare for meeting our maker in a more diligent manner. It certainly is sobering when you are in a situation ( as I have ) where you know your life could end in a flash, with barely a moments notice.

          The crux of all this is to do the best we can. I know that God is not asking us for perfection. That is not possible for us. But it does not excuse doing nothing.  We really are tasked at doing the best we can. Self evaluation, the "examen" if you will, and earnestly trying to love is our task. Being the best "me" as God created me to be is the whole task.  

I profess that I want to be the most loving, father, spouse, grandfather, gay man I can be. Look at who I am am, assess, change, love, grow, love, learn, grow and so forth. Not perfection, just preparing for whatever comes and whatever I am called to do.

          At the end of our meeting yesterday I came away thinking we will be able to maintain the pristine character of our  shore side community built of timbers and cedar. I know we are preparing together, dong our best in every way.  What more does God ask of any of us? 

Luke 12:32-40

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

Fully engaged

     Although I think we are all "queer" in one way or another, I think God may have created gay people and then gay extension, the gay community, for a reason. For myriad reasons better suited to a Doctoral thesis perhaps, we are outsiders. The LGBTQ community seems on the fringe of society, vilified by fake Christians, grossly misunderstood and doctrinally labelled as "intrinsically disordered" by the Roman church. In order, people who choose to lie and hate, people who are afraid of us and lastly, willfully ignorant and basing doctrine more on spurious logic and tradition. 

     In many cases and especially in the case of the Roman church, the gay community is an 'in your face' jab by today's passage from scripture. We are a vibrant living community that speaks well to the Spirit, loving God with true and earnest hearts while being spurned by man made rules, doctrines and ignorant beliefs. The church then becomes the 'millstone' around the neck that drags many people down.

       We are all charged with living as humans fully alive in the Spirit which God instills us with. God created each of us as unique individuals to live and be the His living Gospel message of love. It often defies doctrines but is celebrated in a human being engaging that uniqueness to the full. Intellectually, spiritually, sexually; all part of what a human is.

       Today the Episcopal church  remembers Columba, a stern and strong monk from Ireland. The historian Bede tells us that Columba led many to Christianity by his "preaching and example." He was much admired for his physical as well as spiritual prowess. I could wish he was gay, he sounds like a man fully engaged as a human, fully alive and a lover of the Gospel message. His personal engagement brought many people to God and he created many physical sanctuaries and institutions that fostered God's loving message. It also sounds like he may not have always been attentive to all the rules and minutia of the church which makes me personally love him all the more. It certainly ties in with today's scripture passage.

           Just as Jesus was a consummate rebel and called to task those that honour God with their lips alone, creating a quagmire of rules and rubrics, so are we as the gay community, as queer people, called to be a beacon of light and example by our lives and full engagement of who we are created to be by God.

Matthew 15:1-9

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.’ He answered them, ‘And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, “Honour your father and your mother,” and, “Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.” But you say that whoever tells father or mother, “Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God”, then that person need not honour the father. So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: “This people honours me with their lips,
   but their hearts are far from me; 
in vain do they worship me,
   teaching human precepts as doctrines.” ’

In simple terms

     To me there is a quiet but intense sexiness to subtle power. That is, having it all together. Self assurance, acceptance of self, a knowledge of what is truly important. It is not power orchestrated and used for show, it is not arrogance or flaunting in nature. It is acceptance of self, knowing you are loved and that you are doing your best to love as God wishes. That's the whole package.

       It isn't all about the stuff of this world for sure. You or anyone you love can be gone in an instant. We own nothing, stewards perhaps entrusted with loving and nurturing.  We are charged with cooperating with the magnificent and beautiful God created in our being. If we can discover and nurture the Godliness in us that is a genuine accomplishment that feeds all of humanity. It isn't a boastful thing in any way. It isn't something we show off or take pride in, just simply loving as best as we can with the talents we have. 

       It is a lifelong journey. I think you can tell when we experience someone who has found what they are about. Like I said, it isn't showy or boastful. It is calm, pretty self assured and often seems an odd 'at peace' kind of aura that some people have.  I am sure God wants us to have that kind of peace, exude that kind of love, know exactly who we are. The Apostles in that boat in today's passage did not have that peace, that calm. They were learning. Jesus was not finished with them - a lifelong journey.

         When we accept being gay, a large portion of who we are is layed out in front of us.  Accepting who God created us to be is humbling and empowering. We are less afraid because we know we are cooperating and accepting who God made us to be. We are cooperating with a higher power, thee power. This is no small thing. A simple thing yes, but like I said, it is a quiet but intense sexiness.

      

Matthew 14:22-27

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’