Acts 7:51-8:1
Harvey Milk said that Coming out is the most political thing you can do. This is what this reading is all about to me and it ties into something I wrote the other day. We sometimes react to righteousness in bad ways but the best way is by living a good life.
I have an attachment to St. Stephen seeing that he was the first Deacon of the church and he was summarily stoned to death when the fire of the Spirit had him preach so forcefully. Do we have the courage to preach so forcefully? Perhaps you say, I am no preacher. I am reminded of St. Francis whom I often quote. Basically, preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary. So you see, you can not only be a preacher but an incredibly good one.
Most of us are not asked to give up their life for their beliefs. The ones that have done so or risked death, stand out in our minds. Jesus goes without saying really and of course St. Stephen. Rosa Parks? Martin Luther King Jr.? There are countless Martyrs of the Church.
The best way we can accomplish anything is often without words and simply by example. For us to do that, it is incumbent on all of us to live our lives proudly. If you are gay, be the outest, proudest and best gay person that you can imagine or be. I know that this can be difficult on several levels. For one the act of coming out can seem monumental. It may be. Secondly, since we have been so disenfranchised, marginalized, forced into closets and mistreated by family and organized religions, we often find it difficult to modulate our outness and reactions to our abusers. I know I have that problem. And yet, the best way as I say, is to live an out life. Live a good life. Some say that is the best revenge ( if you are into that).
So taking one step at a time, come on 'out'. Tell the world, be proud. You have no idea how many people are out there to love and support you. People you never even dreamed of. Your gift to the gay community and the world is the best gay person you can be.
Harvey Milk said that Coming out is the most political thing you can do. This is what this reading is all about to me and it ties into something I wrote the other day. We sometimes react to righteousness in bad ways but the best way is by living a good life.
I have an attachment to St. Stephen seeing that he was the first Deacon of the church and he was summarily stoned to death when the fire of the Spirit had him preach so forcefully. Do we have the courage to preach so forcefully? Perhaps you say, I am no preacher. I am reminded of St. Francis whom I often quote. Basically, preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary. So you see, you can not only be a preacher but an incredibly good one.
Most of us are not asked to give up their life for their beliefs. The ones that have done so or risked death, stand out in our minds. Jesus goes without saying really and of course St. Stephen. Rosa Parks? Martin Luther King Jr.? There are countless Martyrs of the Church.
The best way we can accomplish anything is often without words and simply by example. For us to do that, it is incumbent on all of us to live our lives proudly. If you are gay, be the outest, proudest and best gay person that you can imagine or be. I know that this can be difficult on several levels. For one the act of coming out can seem monumental. It may be. Secondly, since we have been so disenfranchised, marginalized, forced into closets and mistreated by family and organized religions, we often find it difficult to modulate our outness and reactions to our abusers. I know I have that problem. And yet, the best way as I say, is to live an out life. Live a good life. Some say that is the best revenge ( if you are into that).
So taking one step at a time, come on 'out'. Tell the world, be proud. You have no idea how many people are out there to love and support you. People you never even dreamed of. Your gift to the gay community and the world is the best gay person you can be.
‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’
5When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.
And Saul approved of their killing him.
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.
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