Advent day 7

Luke 1:26-38          Advent day 7

          While I speak of gifts that we are offered by the God that loves us immeasurably, this reading spells out a special message for the LGBTQ community. Mary could be the first gay icon.

           Mary is going along just fine in the scheme of things, a beautiful young woman betrothed to a carpenter, a man with a good living, a good future and a good and decent man. What more could one ask for? unless he was a doctor! Then comes something else, what many might consider a wrench. She is most favored by God and asked to be the mother of Jesus. Then the trouble begins.  Unwed, a virgin, this 'gift from God' raises all kinds of practical questions mostly leading to not so good places including loss of Joseph and a good chance at being stoned. Do you think God didn't know this when he asked Mary to be the mother of God?  It's not like we don't know how the story goes but let me remind you how this 'problem' proceeds by the good graces of God, the goodness of a man named Joseph and most of all, the acceptance by Mary. Acceptance.

            So, you think you are gay? Perhaps you know someone who is gay, closeted perhaps, perhaps not even aware of what seems obvious to you (and everyone else).  What roles do we all play in this scenario? It really isn't that far removed from the Mary story. A socially unacceptable 'gift' but certainly not unheard of. Mary accepted and Joseph supported. If you are gay, embrace the gift that God has given you. If you are a friend or family member of someone who is gay, you can play the part of Joseph, loving and supportive, non-judgmental.

          Either way gay or straight, we are called to accept and live joyfully with the gifts God has given us. We are called to live holy lives. The 'wrenches' that life throws our way can become tools to exalt God and to show what good character we have. Are we accepting of others? accepting of ourselves? loving? supportive?

           Mary: a true gay icon. Accept the gift of who you are.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin's name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

"Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,

"How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?"

And the angel said to her in reply,

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed from her.