Friday, February 19, 2010
More Grumbling: Prodigal Son, Pt. 5
Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" [Luke 15:25-32 NRSV] The grumbling of the older sibling is meant to echo the grumbling of the Pharisees in the first three verses of Luke 15. The key to understanding this part of the parable lies in the two phrases "this son of yours" and "this brother of yours." These two phrases speak volumes about the relationships between the three characters in the story. The first, a statement from the older brother, says he has disowned his younger brother. The second, a statement from the father, is an appeal for their relationship to be reconciled. The story is left opened, and this is a good thing, because it places the outcome of the story in our hands. The challenge of the parable is to act more like the father and less like the older brother. We are called to be reconcilers not disowners. We are called to restore relationships in the Body of Christ and in the world, especially with those who have rejected us and treated us with disdain in the past. This is the most difficult work we will do but it is necessary work if the church is to remain strong and vibrant. At this point in history many denominations, like our country, are deeply divided. There is a great deal of "this son of yours" theology being thrown around especially with regards to LGBT people of faith. I hope and pray that one day we will hear more "this brother of yours" theology as we seek to move beyond our prejudices against our LGBT brothers and sisters. I do believe that, one day, the church will wake up and will see how much harm they have caused the LGBT community in the name of Christ. I do believe that, one day, we will wonder why we made such a fuss over this issue. This parable leaves us hopeful and challenges us to move beyond our hatreds and jealousies to embrace, with compassion, all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wastefully Extravagant: Prodigal Son, Pt. 4
But while the younger son was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" And they began to celebrate. [Luke 15:20b-24, NRSV] Did you know that the word "prodigal" means "wastefully extravagant"? It seems to me that the true prodigal in this story is the Father. He doesn't even wait for his son's confession. He is wastefully extravagant with his love and forgiveness as he runs down the road to embrace his wayard son. He doesn't grumble. He doesn't say "You are dead to me." He simply rejoices in the return of his son and embraces him with no questions asked. This is the most beautiful image for God I have ever encountered. However, it is quite different from the image of God we sometimes get at church. The God seen in some churches is a grumbler. He complains about everything: What we wear to church. What kind of music we listen to. What version of the Bible we read. And so on and so forth. The God seen in some churches is also a "you're dead to me" kind of God as well. He casts people out of church with a one way ticket to hell because of their sexual identity, their addictions, their politics. And so on and so forth. WAKE UP, CHURCH! This is not the God portrayed in the stories of Jesus. This is not the God who is wastefully extravagant in his love for his wayward sons and daughters. This is a God who rejoices greatly when anyone returns home, no matter what condition they may be in when they arrive at the door. There are no lectures. No "I told you so's." Only a warm embrace and a feast fit for a king or queen! I spent way too many years beating myself up for being gay. I prayed that God would change me because that's what the church told me God wanted for my life. Well, after praying to be changed for about seven or eight years and only hearing God's silence, I collapsed in exhaustion and gave up all hope. It was then that I encountered the wastefully extravagant God who ran to pick me up, dust me off, and offer me a warm embrace. God said "Are you finished beating yourself up now?" I said, "Yes." Then God smiled and said, "Well, then, welcome home." God didn't seem to have a problem with me being gay. I was the one who was beating myself up about it. I know some people don't see it that way but I really don't care anymore. God and I are fine and God's gracious welcome home changed my life forever. I hope any pray that each of you will discover the wastefully extravagant, prodigal God who is waiting to welcome us all home, no matter what letter of the alphabet we identify with!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wake Up!: Prodigal Son, Pt. 3
A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. [Luke 15:13-20a, NRSV]
The pivotal phrase in this section of the parable is "he came to himself." One commentary I read said that in the Greek language, this is a medical term and describes a person who has fainted, is out of it, and then gradually wakes up. I hope the commentator is correct because this is exactly what happens in the parable. The younger son who told his Dad "You're dead to me" is totally out of it. He has lost his perspective and it is as if he is sleep walking through life. He is incapable of seeing where his choices are leading him, only focusing on the pleasures of the moment, until he hits rock bottom. It is then, and only then, that he realizes it's time to go in a different direction. It's time to go home.
Home is the place in our lives where we see ourselves and the world clearly. Home is the place where we wake up from our delusions and realize that the most valuable commodities in life are family, love, compassion, spirit, hope, peace, joy and grace. These things keep us grounded and prevent us from "grumbling" and saying "you're dead to me." They help us to make better choices in life that lead us to become more whole in body, mind and spirit.
Do you feel like you've been sleepwalking lately? Feel like your a little bit faint or out of it? Perhaps this parable is calling you to wake up and see the world in a new and different way.
The pivotal phrase in this section of the parable is "he came to himself." One commentary I read said that in the Greek language, this is a medical term and describes a person who has fainted, is out of it, and then gradually wakes up. I hope the commentator is correct because this is exactly what happens in the parable. The younger son who told his Dad "You're dead to me" is totally out of it. He has lost his perspective and it is as if he is sleep walking through life. He is incapable of seeing where his choices are leading him, only focusing on the pleasures of the moment, until he hits rock bottom. It is then, and only then, that he realizes it's time to go in a different direction. It's time to go home.
Home is the place in our lives where we see ourselves and the world clearly. Home is the place where we wake up from our delusions and realize that the most valuable commodities in life are family, love, compassion, spirit, hope, peace, joy and grace. These things keep us grounded and prevent us from "grumbling" and saying "you're dead to me." They help us to make better choices in life that lead us to become more whole in body, mind and spirit.
Do you feel like you've been sleepwalking lately? Feel like your a little bit faint or out of it? Perhaps this parable is calling you to wake up and see the world in a new and different way.
Monday, February 15, 2010
You're Dead to Me: Prodigal Son, Pt. 2
There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me." So he divided his property between them. [Luke 15:11-12, NRSV]
"You're dead to me." This is essentially what the youngest son is saying to his father. "Good As New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures" renders this verse as "Dad, let me have the money you intend leaving me in your will." Ouch! That's gotta hurt!
As we move away from the voices of the grumbling Pharisees and into the story of the youngest son, we are challenged to look at that part of ourselves we don't always like to see: The part of ourselves that cuts people out of our lives and treats them like they're dead to us.
Some of us have been the recipients of this kind of behavior. Parents and siblings have said to us "You're dead to me" when we told them we were gay or lesbian. Churches have said to us "You're dead to me" and made it clear we were not welcome in their pews.
However, as people who know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this kind of a slap in the face, we are also guilty of returning the favor. We say "You're dead to me" to those who have caused us harm and shut the door on any possibility of a reconciliation. We say "You're dead to me" to God and give up on our spiritual life when it is the Church we should be angry at.
It seems to me that the true nature of God is one who is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" [Exodus 34:6]. We, as God's children are called to manifest these same qualities in our lives as well. It's easy to write people off and treat them like they're dead to us. It's a lot harder to show mercy and grace, especially to those who have hurt us.
When have we been like the youngest son? Who have we treated as if they are dead to us? Perhaps God is challenging us to open up a door that is currently shut tight and padlocked in order to repair a relationship that has been broken. It's hard work, but it's definitely worth the effort.
"You're dead to me." This is essentially what the youngest son is saying to his father. "Good As New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures" renders this verse as "Dad, let me have the money you intend leaving me in your will." Ouch! That's gotta hurt!
As we move away from the voices of the grumbling Pharisees and into the story of the youngest son, we are challenged to look at that part of ourselves we don't always like to see: The part of ourselves that cuts people out of our lives and treats them like they're dead to us.
Some of us have been the recipients of this kind of behavior. Parents and siblings have said to us "You're dead to me" when we told them we were gay or lesbian. Churches have said to us "You're dead to me" and made it clear we were not welcome in their pews.
However, as people who know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this kind of a slap in the face, we are also guilty of returning the favor. We say "You're dead to me" to those who have caused us harm and shut the door on any possibility of a reconciliation. We say "You're dead to me" to God and give up on our spiritual life when it is the Church we should be angry at.
It seems to me that the true nature of God is one who is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" [Exodus 34:6]. We, as God's children are called to manifest these same qualities in our lives as well. It's easy to write people off and treat them like they're dead to us. It's a lot harder to show mercy and grace, especially to those who have hurt us.
When have we been like the youngest son? Who have we treated as if they are dead to us? Perhaps God is challenging us to open up a door that is currently shut tight and padlocked in order to repair a relationship that has been broken. It's hard work, but it's definitely worth the effort.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Grumbling: Prodigal Son, Pt. 1
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable... [Luke 15:1-3, NRSV]
Jesus had special attraction for all those excluded from respectable society. They listened to what he had to say. This annoyed the strict set. Their complain was: "He spends his time with disreputable types of people and even has meals with them!" Jesus explained what he was doing like this... [Good As New]
Today I begin a series on the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. It starts with "grumbling" from the church-going folks. Grumbling is defined as "complaining or protesting about something in a bad-tempered but typically muted way." Later in Luke's gospel they would also "grumble" about Jesus' invitation to dine at Zacchaeus' house [Luke 19:7]. However, grumbling was only the tip of the iceberg. In Luke's gospel they also "questioned" [5:21], "complained" [5:30], "watched...accused" [6:7] "ridiculed" [16:30], were "hostile" [11:53] and eventually plotted Jesus' death [22:2].
This introduction to the parable challenges us more than we may think. Often, we in the church fail to see ourselves in the faces of the Pharisees. However, we are more like them than we may care to admit. We grumble for lots of reasons. We grumble at people who do things differently than us. We grumble because they are too conservative/liberal for us. We grumble because we don't want "those kinds of people" attending our churches. [You fill in the blank.]
Grumbling may seem like a harmless activity, however, if it goes on long enough, it can become a very destructive force in our churches and in our world. It eventually led to the death of Jesus. It can lead to all kind of hatreds, prejudices and acts of violence if it is left unchecked.
Who have we been grumbling about lately? Let's all keep a close eye on our hearts this week and see who pushes our grumbling button the most. What is is about this person/group of people that annoys us so much? It may very well be that they are more like us than we care to admit.
Jesus had special attraction for all those excluded from respectable society. They listened to what he had to say. This annoyed the strict set. Their complain was: "He spends his time with disreputable types of people and even has meals with them!" Jesus explained what he was doing like this... [Good As New]
Today I begin a series on the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. It starts with "grumbling" from the church-going folks. Grumbling is defined as "complaining or protesting about something in a bad-tempered but typically muted way." Later in Luke's gospel they would also "grumble" about Jesus' invitation to dine at Zacchaeus' house [Luke 19:7]. However, grumbling was only the tip of the iceberg. In Luke's gospel they also "questioned" [5:21], "complained" [5:30], "watched...accused" [6:7] "ridiculed" [16:30], were "hostile" [11:53] and eventually plotted Jesus' death [22:2].
This introduction to the parable challenges us more than we may think. Often, we in the church fail to see ourselves in the faces of the Pharisees. However, we are more like them than we may care to admit. We grumble for lots of reasons. We grumble at people who do things differently than us. We grumble because they are too conservative/liberal for us. We grumble because we don't want "those kinds of people" attending our churches. [You fill in the blank.]
Grumbling may seem like a harmless activity, however, if it goes on long enough, it can become a very destructive force in our churches and in our world. It eventually led to the death of Jesus. It can lead to all kind of hatreds, prejudices and acts of violence if it is left unchecked.
Who have we been grumbling about lately? Let's all keep a close eye on our hearts this week and see who pushes our grumbling button the most. What is is about this person/group of people that annoys us so much? It may very well be that they are more like us than we care to admit.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Asheville Takes a Step Forward
Good news from my hometown! Last night Asheville City Council took a key step toward extending benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian municipal employees. The vote was 4-2 in favor. The next step is for the city staff to report back to Council at its March 9th meeting with information on how workers' same-sex domestic partners could get the same benefits as heterosexual employees' spouses, including health insurance, bereavement leave and prescription drug coverage. A majority of Council members said they expect to vote for the final measure after the report. Sounds good to me! I'm hoping the ELCA will also get its act together and offer the same to me and my spouse!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Luke's Beatitudes, Part 5
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. [Luke 6:22-23, NRSV]
Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted, and no one will discover the place where you have been persecuted. Blessed are those who have been persecuted in their hearts: they truly know the Father. [Thomas 68:1-2; 69:1]
This last Beatitude on Luke's list [Matthew's list is much longer] is a powerful one. I've also included the gospel of Thomas' version of this saying for comparison. As we try to wrap our brains around this powerful saying, "The Message" brings out its meaning loud and clear: "Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don't like it, I do … and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this."
Although some of my more conservative brothers and sisters in Christ would disagree with me on this Beatitude, I think it speaks volumes to those of us who have been abused by the church as we fight for LGBT equality. I know without a doubt that Jesus does not have a problem with me being gay. I am a much better Christian and a much better pastor because I made peace with with this part of myself. I've even reached the point where I celebrate it as a gift. The only time my sexuality is not a gift is when I use it to exploit or demean others. I have been with the same man for 15 years. We are raising two kids and God has blessed both my relationship and my family.
To be honest with you, I long for the day when this is a boring issue to discuss and this blog has no reason to exist. I would much rather spend my time [and I do] working on other justice issues such as the Living Wage campaign, environmental stewardship and fighting homelessness. But, until LGBT people are no longer being persecuted by the church I will continue to fight for our tribe. I hope that you will do the same!
Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted, and no one will discover the place where you have been persecuted. Blessed are those who have been persecuted in their hearts: they truly know the Father. [Thomas 68:1-2; 69:1]
This last Beatitude on Luke's list [Matthew's list is much longer] is a powerful one. I've also included the gospel of Thomas' version of this saying for comparison. As we try to wrap our brains around this powerful saying, "The Message" brings out its meaning loud and clear: "Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don't like it, I do … and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this."
Although some of my more conservative brothers and sisters in Christ would disagree with me on this Beatitude, I think it speaks volumes to those of us who have been abused by the church as we fight for LGBT equality. I know without a doubt that Jesus does not have a problem with me being gay. I am a much better Christian and a much better pastor because I made peace with with this part of myself. I've even reached the point where I celebrate it as a gift. The only time my sexuality is not a gift is when I use it to exploit or demean others. I have been with the same man for 15 years. We are raising two kids and God has blessed both my relationship and my family.
To be honest with you, I long for the day when this is a boring issue to discuss and this blog has no reason to exist. I would much rather spend my time [and I do] working on other justice issues such as the Living Wage campaign, environmental stewardship and fighting homelessness. But, until LGBT people are no longer being persecuted by the church I will continue to fight for our tribe. I hope that you will do the same!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Luke's Beatitudes, Part 4
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. [Luke 6:21, NRSV]
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matt 5:4, NRSV]
On of my favorite books which breaks the Beatitudes wide open is Neil Douglas-Klotz's "Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus." In this book Klotz unpacks Matthew's versions of the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes as they appear in the Aramaic version of the Bible. Klotz says that the Beatitude on those who weep can be translated in a number of different ways:
"Blessed are those in emotional turmoil; they shall be united inside by love."
"Healthy are those weak and over extended for their purpose; they shall feel their inner flow of strength return."
"Healed are those who weep for their frustrated desire; they shall se the face of fulfillment in a new form."
"Aligned with the One are the mourners; they shall be comforted."
"Tuned to the Source are those feeling deeply confused by life; they shall be returned form their wandering."
The thing I enjoy so much about the Aramaic is that spiritual teachings are always meant to have multiple meanings and be understood on many different levels. This is quite a sharp contrast to our Western way of thinking which is much more literal and rigid. Klotz says that Jesus, who spoke Aramaic, would have never intended his teachings to be understood in only one way. Therefore, we must be willing to see them with new eyes and hear them with new ears time and time again.
Read over Klotz's translation of this Beatitude and see which one speaks to you today. I hope these fresh translations will enable you to see it in a new and different way.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matt 5:4, NRSV]
On of my favorite books which breaks the Beatitudes wide open is Neil Douglas-Klotz's "Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus." In this book Klotz unpacks Matthew's versions of the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes as they appear in the Aramaic version of the Bible. Klotz says that the Beatitude on those who weep can be translated in a number of different ways:
"Blessed are those in emotional turmoil; they shall be united inside by love."
"Healthy are those weak and over extended for their purpose; they shall feel their inner flow of strength return."
"Healed are those who weep for their frustrated desire; they shall se the face of fulfillment in a new form."
"Aligned with the One are the mourners; they shall be comforted."
"Tuned to the Source are those feeling deeply confused by life; they shall be returned form their wandering."
The thing I enjoy so much about the Aramaic is that spiritual teachings are always meant to have multiple meanings and be understood on many different levels. This is quite a sharp contrast to our Western way of thinking which is much more literal and rigid. Klotz says that Jesus, who spoke Aramaic, would have never intended his teachings to be understood in only one way. Therefore, we must be willing to see them with new eyes and hear them with new ears time and time again.
Read over Klotz's translation of this Beatitude and see which one speaks to you today. I hope these fresh translations will enable you to see it in a new and different way.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Luke's Beatitudes, Part 3
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. [Luke 6:21, NRSV]
Blessed are those who are hungry, for the stomach of the famished will be filled. [Thomas 69:2]
You’re blessed when you're ravenously hungry. Then you're ready for the Messianic meal. [The Message]
Luke and Matthew have two different versions of these first two Beatitudes. Matthew spiritualizes Jesus' sayings, opting for "poor in spirit" and "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" while Luke says "poor" and "hungry. When we throw Thomas into the mix, which is a non-biblical gospel, we have a secondary source that sides with Luke's version of these sayings.
Personally, I've always preferred Luke's version over Matthew's because if we only see these as spiritual sayings we let ourselves off the hook. It's a lot easier to understand the blessing of those who are poor in spirit or hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is another thing to see the blessing in being hungry and the poor.
My best insight into this text comes from Mother Teresa who once said that "Jesus is all around us in distressing disguise." She believed that Christ was to be found among the poor, the downtrodden, the abandoned and the abused. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 25 where he said that those who serve the "least of these" are serving Jesus as well.
If we are committed to being a part of God's visible kingdom here on earth, then we have to have concern for the poor among us. Perhaps the blessing they receive comes from our compassionate care of them. It is my belief that until LGBT people are concerned about causes other than queer equality, the world will not take us seriously. We cannot simply serve our own tribe. We need to be willing to reach out to the poor and disenfranchised and become Christ to them through our compassionate care. It will be a blessing to them and to us as well.
Blessed are those who are hungry, for the stomach of the famished will be filled. [Thomas 69:2]
You’re blessed when you're ravenously hungry. Then you're ready for the Messianic meal. [The Message]
Luke and Matthew have two different versions of these first two Beatitudes. Matthew spiritualizes Jesus' sayings, opting for "poor in spirit" and "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" while Luke says "poor" and "hungry. When we throw Thomas into the mix, which is a non-biblical gospel, we have a secondary source that sides with Luke's version of these sayings.
Personally, I've always preferred Luke's version over Matthew's because if we only see these as spiritual sayings we let ourselves off the hook. It's a lot easier to understand the blessing of those who are poor in spirit or hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is another thing to see the blessing in being hungry and the poor.
My best insight into this text comes from Mother Teresa who once said that "Jesus is all around us in distressing disguise." She believed that Christ was to be found among the poor, the downtrodden, the abandoned and the abused. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 25 where he said that those who serve the "least of these" are serving Jesus as well.
If we are committed to being a part of God's visible kingdom here on earth, then we have to have concern for the poor among us. Perhaps the blessing they receive comes from our compassionate care of them. It is my belief that until LGBT people are concerned about causes other than queer equality, the world will not take us seriously. We cannot simply serve our own tribe. We need to be willing to reach out to the poor and disenfranchised and become Christ to them through our compassionate care. It will be a blessing to them and to us as well.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Luke's Beatitudes, Part 2
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. [Luke 6:20, NRSV]
You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. [The Message]
Yesterday's blog kept percolating in my brain all day and I'd like to share another observation about this first Beatitude. American society as a whole is possessed with its possessions. In fact, the storage facility that is located right next to my church is adding several new buildings to its massive compound. My take on storage units is this: If you have to put some of your stuff in a storage locker, you simply have way too much stuff!
I was watching HGTV the other day and a couple who live in Prague were looking to buy their first apartment. The three they looked at were less than 900 square feet and they squealed with delight at how much room two of these apartments had. This might happen in the Czech Republic, but definitely not in America. Our houses and cars have become our fortresses which we hope will insulate us from the rest of the world. They give us the illusion that we are safe, secure and self-reliant.
Perhaps the poor are blessed because sometimes faith is all they have to hang onto. They have to rely on God because most other means of help have failed them. Because many gays and lesbians have no children [present company excluded] we have been blessed with more disposable income. The challenge for all of us is to be good stewards of this wealth we've been given and not simply overindulge ourselves. Our wealth should be used to support the work of LGBT friendly churches and other organizations who are fighting other justice issues such as poverty, the living wage campaign, AIDS research, etc.
Hmmm, I'm sure we could talk about this one verse for days. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on this provocative verse of scripture? Let me know how it speaks to you.
You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. [The Message]
Yesterday's blog kept percolating in my brain all day and I'd like to share another observation about this first Beatitude. American society as a whole is possessed with its possessions. In fact, the storage facility that is located right next to my church is adding several new buildings to its massive compound. My take on storage units is this: If you have to put some of your stuff in a storage locker, you simply have way too much stuff!
I was watching HGTV the other day and a couple who live in Prague were looking to buy their first apartment. The three they looked at were less than 900 square feet and they squealed with delight at how much room two of these apartments had. This might happen in the Czech Republic, but definitely not in America. Our houses and cars have become our fortresses which we hope will insulate us from the rest of the world. They give us the illusion that we are safe, secure and self-reliant.
Perhaps the poor are blessed because sometimes faith is all they have to hang onto. They have to rely on God because most other means of help have failed them. Because many gays and lesbians have no children [present company excluded] we have been blessed with more disposable income. The challenge for all of us is to be good stewards of this wealth we've been given and not simply overindulge ourselves. Our wealth should be used to support the work of LGBT friendly churches and other organizations who are fighting other justice issues such as poverty, the living wage campaign, AIDS research, etc.
Hmmm, I'm sure we could talk about this one verse for days. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on this provocative verse of scripture? Let me know how it speaks to you.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Luke's Beatitudes, Part 1
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. [Luke 6:20, NRSV]
Blessed are the poor: yours is the kingdom of heaven. [Thomas 54]
You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. [The Message]
Jesus' Beatitudes, which are found in Luke 6 and Matthew 5, are some of Jesus' best known teachings. Some of these sayings are also found in the Gospel of Thomas which favors Luke's rendering of these texts. The word "blessed" in the original Greek is MAKARIOS. It means “supremely blessed, fortunate, well-off, happy." Things get a little more interesting when we look at this word in Aramaic which is the language Jesus spoke. TUBWAYHUN means "happy and aligned with the One," "tuned to the Source," or "healthy and healed." The root word TUB in Aramaic means "ripe" and can be translated as "to be in rhythm with the Holy One," or "to be in the right time, place and action with God."
Taking these word origins into consideration, we can see that those who embody the teachings of the Beatitudes are in sync with God. These characteristics or qualities are the way God's presence is seen in our world. They are sign's of his kingdom or reign.
Today's Beatitude tells us that the poor are blessed. Well, if the Message is correct in its translation of Luke, we are blessed when we've lost it all, because it is then that we are more open to receiving what God has to offer. Often when things are going well in our lives we fool ourselves into believing that we are self-reliant. However, when the dookie hits the fan, we are more likely to turn to God for help, support, healing, etc.
I guess the lesson to be learned from this first Beatitude is that we need to open our lives to God's reign in both good times and in bad. It is only when we are open to receiving God's presence in our lives that God can truly bless us. My experience in working with LGBT Christians is that many in our tribe still equate what the church did to them with how God feels about them. We need to remember that God and the church are often very separate things. Unfortunately, sometimes God is virtually unrecognizable in the church. Let us open ourselves us to what God has to offer us because God truly desires to bless LGBT people of faith.
Blessed are the poor: yours is the kingdom of heaven. [Thomas 54]
You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. [The Message]
Jesus' Beatitudes, which are found in Luke 6 and Matthew 5, are some of Jesus' best known teachings. Some of these sayings are also found in the Gospel of Thomas which favors Luke's rendering of these texts. The word "blessed" in the original Greek is MAKARIOS. It means “supremely blessed, fortunate, well-off, happy." Things get a little more interesting when we look at this word in Aramaic which is the language Jesus spoke. TUBWAYHUN means "happy and aligned with the One," "tuned to the Source," or "healthy and healed." The root word TUB in Aramaic means "ripe" and can be translated as "to be in rhythm with the Holy One," or "to be in the right time, place and action with God."
Taking these word origins into consideration, we can see that those who embody the teachings of the Beatitudes are in sync with God. These characteristics or qualities are the way God's presence is seen in our world. They are sign's of his kingdom or reign.
Today's Beatitude tells us that the poor are blessed. Well, if the Message is correct in its translation of Luke, we are blessed when we've lost it all, because it is then that we are more open to receiving what God has to offer. Often when things are going well in our lives we fool ourselves into believing that we are self-reliant. However, when the dookie hits the fan, we are more likely to turn to God for help, support, healing, etc.
I guess the lesson to be learned from this first Beatitude is that we need to open our lives to God's reign in both good times and in bad. It is only when we are open to receiving God's presence in our lives that God can truly bless us. My experience in working with LGBT Christians is that many in our tribe still equate what the church did to them with how God feels about them. We need to remember that God and the church are often very separate things. Unfortunately, sometimes God is virtually unrecognizable in the church. Let us open ourselves us to what God has to offer us because God truly desires to bless LGBT people of faith.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
I've Got You Babe
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NRSV]
There is definitely strength in numbers. There is something powerful that happens inside of you when you find "your tribe." This experience has happened to me a number of times over the years and it has had a profound effect on my life. One of these occasions occurred when I found the advocacy group I've worked with on a regular basis. The group consists clergy and laity, queers and straights from many different faith traditions: UCC, Lutherans, Unitarians, Episcopals, United Methodists, Presbyterians, Society of Friends and others who are working together in my city for justice and equality for all relationships. I love hanging out with these people because I feel supported and affirmed when I am with them. I watch God's creativity, spirit and passion flow through the members of this group and it is both a strength and a shelter for me.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." After reading some of the comments you have sent to me, I realize that there are a number of LGBT people out there who feel very isolated and lonely. There are a number of folks in our tribe who have no support structure and live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. If you are one of those people, I encourage you to begin a deliberate process of establishing at least a few friends whom you can confide in and who will be your shelter from the storms of life. I also want to encourage you to seek out a faith community who will welcome you and celebrate the special person you are. [Check out the link to "Welcoming Churches" on my blog.]
If you have already found your tribe, don't forget that it's not supposed to be a closed circle. We need to continually seek out those who feel alone and isolated, especially young LGBT people who need mentors and encouragers in their lives. We are so much stronger when we stand together. The words of an old hymn come to mind: "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The unity of heart and mind is like to that above."
There is definitely strength in numbers. There is something powerful that happens inside of you when you find "your tribe." This experience has happened to me a number of times over the years and it has had a profound effect on my life. One of these occasions occurred when I found the advocacy group I've worked with on a regular basis. The group consists clergy and laity, queers and straights from many different faith traditions: UCC, Lutherans, Unitarians, Episcopals, United Methodists, Presbyterians, Society of Friends and others who are working together in my city for justice and equality for all relationships. I love hanging out with these people because I feel supported and affirmed when I am with them. I watch God's creativity, spirit and passion flow through the members of this group and it is both a strength and a shelter for me.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." After reading some of the comments you have sent to me, I realize that there are a number of LGBT people out there who feel very isolated and lonely. There are a number of folks in our tribe who have no support structure and live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. If you are one of those people, I encourage you to begin a deliberate process of establishing at least a few friends whom you can confide in and who will be your shelter from the storms of life. I also want to encourage you to seek out a faith community who will welcome you and celebrate the special person you are. [Check out the link to "Welcoming Churches" on my blog.]
If you have already found your tribe, don't forget that it's not supposed to be a closed circle. We need to continually seek out those who feel alone and isolated, especially young LGBT people who need mentors and encouragers in their lives. We are so much stronger when we stand together. The words of an old hymn come to mind: "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The unity of heart and mind is like to that above."
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