Jul 15 2009
General Convention 2nd Reflection
And so it happened - once again the Episcopal Church finds itself in the news for stating that ordination to the priesthood and consecration to the episcopate are open to those who are called and found to be able to uphold those positions regardless of sexual orientation. The news outlets are happy because they have a scandal to report on. The venerable Anglican family is torn apart by the pushy Episcopal Church. Bishops and Deputies have once again flouted authority and tradition around the world.
If only it were so simple. People act as though this is a process entered heedlessly by our church. Our church is all too aware of the political and financial consequences of these decisions as we have been living out these consequences for years upon years. As a friend of mine also present at General Convention said, “this Church for the first time in its history is on the cross of Jesus.”
This is and it is not about issues of sexuality. The issue is forced by the plight of the LGBT community who even now still face life threatening situations in many places in our country. At best every member of the LGBT community has to deal with the possibility of losing each and every important relationship because of a reaction to the reality of their lives. Offering care, sanctuary and the understanding that each experience contributes in its own unique way to the sacramental life of the church has become the charism and the painful crucible of the Episcopal Church and has become its witness to the larger world of catholic Christianity. Yet, not reported on, is the fact that this is only a part of the work the church is undertaking. Even now we are seeking how to expand our work of welcome and ministry with the ever growing Latino population of the United States. Across our body the question of “radical welcome” is spreading.
I spent a great deal of my life in a part of the church that accepted me in ministry as long as my life appeared to be “normal.” I lived in fear and suspicion. At this General Convention, for the first time, I felt able to participate in the eucharist offered by Integrity, the LGBT community within the Episcopal Church. In the same event I saw those who were able to bless and live out their sacramental calling and I saw those who still are scared to come out of the closet and be able to own their lives.
I also heard at another eucharist Ray Suarez, correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Mr. Suarez spoke of hospitality on the feast day of Benedict of Nursia. Our church was challenged to know what it has to say to the world. We were reminded that we do not have to agree on everything as long as we agree that we can bring Christ and peace to a hurting world.
As I write this I am struck by two things and with these I will close. One, in the English calendar it is the feast of St. Swithun. Swithun was a bishop in Winchester and is known for healing that which was broken. Many lives are broken and it seems that maybe the church is broken yet ultimately if we are engaged in Christ’s work of healing then we will live into our calling.
The second is this: while doing morning prayer this morning, the reading for the day from the gospel was in Mark chapter 2. It seems Jesus was hanging out with the wrong people and it was asked “why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners.” This prompted Jesus to observe a few verses later on that one cannot pour new wine into old wineskins without causing the old wineskins to burst. Sometimes the old is beyond repair and the world is in need of something new. The old world of righteous indignation about the right sort is passing away. If we’re going to dine with Jesus then we need to be ready to meet anyone at the table. Its time to drink in the new wine of God for the one who heals the broken and the broken hearted is among us.
