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| p1. June 1-8 Liberation: June 1. There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power (1 Corinthians 15:40-43). Part of our community is no longer visible. They have crossed the threshold of death. This poetic passage describes an early church view of what that meant. Like a planted seed, the mortal, diseased, and weakened earthly body gives way to a blossoming heavenly body, whether gay or straight. Thank you, God, for eternally loving us, body and soul, in this glory and the glory to come. June 2. Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, �Thus says the � God of Israel, �Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness (Exodus 5:1).� Lesbians and gay men readily identify with such liberation. We have suffered the closet�s confinement and prejudice, discrimination and abuse. Free us, God of Deliverance, that we might serve you! June 3. Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, for I am languishing, O God, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. My soul also is struck with terror, while you, O Yahweh- how long (Psalm ?:2-3). How long, O God, before the Bible is used to comfort rather than to terrify? Turn, O Yahweh, save us from society! Deliver us for the sake of your steadfast love! Grant us peace in our minds. Only then can we worship and serve you! June 4. The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in God is secure (Proverbs 29:25). Do not fear people. Trust in Christ. June 5. How long, O God? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? But I trusted in your steadfast love, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation (Psalm 13:1, 5). We rely on God, as all people rely on icons of some sort. In God�s absence, we may rely on the �icon� of God�s presence in the Bible. In the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox churches, icons are images that serve as conduits of divine mystery and presence. Just as we have a kind of icon in a memento that reminds us of an absent loved one. So scripture may be a verbal icon that helps us know God�s presence even when God seems absent. Trusting in God�s steadfast love revealed in past events, the psalmist was able to rejoice in a salvation yet to come. June 6. Then Yahweh said, �I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their cry�I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them� So come, I will send you (Exodus 3:7-8, 10).� The chief complaint against professionals in medicine, ministry, therapy, social work, and politics is an emotional distance, an aloofness, that makes patients, parishioners, clients or constituents feel as if they and their suffering are not being heard. �Hello! Is anybody in there? We cry. Somewhere within these professionals is the compassion that led them to choose their vocations. But to keep sane and avoid burnout, they have erected a wall to defend against too much emotional pain. Open our hearts to the cries of others as your heart is open to our cries, Sovereign God. June 7. Then Job answered, �How you have helped one who has no power! How you have assisted the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled one who has no wisdom, � and given much good advice (Job 26:1-3)! The powerless in the church need empowerment, but instead are given bad advice by Christians and other religious people who just don�t get it. With Job, in the midst of our suffering, we affirm our integrity as gay and lesbian Christians. Defying injustice, give me Job�s confidence and impatience. June 8. God said to Moses, �See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1).� Moses did not feel up to the task of liberator. He had escaped to the wilderness because he had murdered an Egyptian beating a fellow Hebrew. He had no official authority and was a poor speaker. The Israelites were difficult to manage. Pharaoh proved resistant, and made life harder for the Hebrews. They complained, and Moses expressed doubts to God. But God empowered him, making him �like God� to the powerful, intimidating the authority of Pharaoh. Spiritual passion confronted political power. God, in your passion for our liberation, make us powerful. |
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