Rainbows and Respect

I've kept quiet on the Supreme Court’s decision regarding marriage, reading posts (from both sides), trying to understand where others stand; balancing on the ledge between people who touch my life in any number of ways and who have varied responses.

I am no expert on sexuality...but I think I know something about love and commitment. I am no expert on civil rights...but I think I know that we all deserve them. I may have a Master of Divinity and the blessing to be a priest...but I am not God, so I do not have all the answers.

What I read in this blog by Ben Irwin this morning made sense to me. Ben gives some real suggestions that may help people be, well, people. People who can look beyond the divisions we, ourselves —not the Supreme Court—not the President—are placing among the people we share this world with. When we begin to understand that God created each of us in God's image--in God's rainbow of cultures, races, sexuality, ability--we can begin to understand our responsibility to want what is best for our brothers and sisters. But like in any family, we don't have to agree on the way we each live, the choices we make, the jobs we have, the way we raise (or choose not to) kids, or the faith community we choose (or not).

What I believe is non-negotiable is this: We do have to respect one another.

To respect one another means we have to give each other the voice to express their feelings and concerns without condemnation. We each need to understand the story we each bring. Where we come from will impact our personal views; who we know.  The relationships we have, the doctrines we believe will also impact us.

As for me and my house…I choose to live with the verses below.  They are not always easy, but with God’s help, I try to respect the dignity of every human being.  These verses help me.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.   Mark 12:30-31

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ John 13:34

Amen.

Youtube!

Well, I now have a Youtube channel where you can watch me in action!

Because I'm still learning, I may not have this completely correct.  But my first three videos are here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsOCuPNe_Dw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t9GAzqsSPE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeehJDMTMw

I have some thoughts rolling around in my head.  One of these days I'll take some time to write and post.  Soon and very soon, as they say!

Tears

I cried today, holding the hands of two women I would never have come to know, who would never have impacted my life, who would never have challenged my faith, my theology and my compassion if I had never taken a risk.

I cried today, the hands of two other women on my back, blessing me.  Two more women I would never have come to know, who would never have impacted my life, who would never have encouraged my faith, my theology and my compassion, if I had never taken a risk.

I cried today, a part of a circle surrounding the altar I would never have come to, to receive bread and wine, experience celebrations of life and of death, where I was challenged and comforted, if I had never taken a risk.

I cried today, passing around a rain stick poked with nails attaching six word stories about the journeys taken these past four years, hand to hand, the sound of rain, the sound of voices, the sound of faith passed from one to another with sorrow, with joy, all stories of taking a risk.

I cried today, marking the beginning of an ending that was worthy of the risk.