| p3. May 17-24 Community: May 17. Once you were not a people, but now you are God�s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:10). 1 Peter is addressed to �aliens and exiles.� Christianity first appealed to the poor who had everything to gain by embracing a faith that promised a commonwealth to which they were heirs. Lesbian and gay Christians are more likely to respond to the concept that once we were not a people, but now we are God�s people and enjoy God�s mercy. Most of us are tired of suffering, no matter how redemptive. We want to celebrate, because now we are a people enjoying God�s grace. May 18. For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly (Zephaniah 3:12). Our confidence as a community does not prevent us from being a �humble and lowly� remnant of the people of faith. We celebrate our soul as a community, spirited and gentle. May 19. When he saw the crowds, Jesus had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, �The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Sovereign of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest (Matthew 9:36-38). Many lesbian and gay people are close to the Spirit of Christ, yet their spiritual resources are largely untapped. Other lesbians and gay men are hungry for purpose, and meaning and hope, yet lesbian and gay Christians are not actively sharing our faith. When we open our community of faith, selfishness and selflessness coincide. Give us faith that others would like to share faith- ours and theirs- in your community, God. May 20. Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32). Remember the �good ol� days� when the gay community was of one mind? No? Neither do I. But it seemed that way. Every city had a mother or father of the local movement. Reverend Troy Perry began a church. Then came the Stonewall Rebellion. Political and religious networks and community centers and congregations formed; urban neighborhoods became more clearly defined as gay. Of course, we left off half our experience by being the �gay� rather than the �gay and lesbian� community. Males were more available and easier to organize. Whites were too. Drag queens were pushed aside with transsexuals and socialists as undesirable representatives. We were going to mainstream ourselves. It should�ve been easier to be of one soul then. The truth is, we were always a diverse and often divided community. But there have been moments when we were of one heart and soul. When Harvey Milk was assassinated, we mourned together. When we observe pride day, we celebrate together. Touch our brokenness as a community. Healing Spirit. Make us no less diverse, but less divisive and divided. May 21. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common (Acts 2:43-44). What an exciting but fearful time for the church! It was a new community where miraculous things happened, while facing religious and political opposition. Sound familiar? Sometimes we get overwhelmed by the resistance we face, from families of blood to families of faith, from the scourge of antigay rights legislation to the pandemic of AIDS. But miracles are happening all around us. Open my eyes to the signs and wonders being done by our community. Increase my awe-bility to be amazed. May 22. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). May my giving be a blessing both for me and for others. May 23. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire (James 3:5-6). We curse the image of God not only by our profanity, but by our put-downs, innuendos, and gossip. Holy Word, may my tongue bless rather than curse, spread the gospel rather than gossip. May 24. Mind your own business. Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies (2 Timothy 2:23). Many of us feel much need to be in control because we feel so much of what happens to us is out of our control. Choose your battles wisely. Sometimes we need to chill out and trust God�s cosmic process. Not everything is worth raising a fuss over. Let go, and let God. |
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