Is anything sinful , or is everything O.K. then ? Where does it all end ? Is it really just a matter of what is wrong for you might not be for me . Do we really just all go our own way ? Is each one free to decide what is right for themselves ?
These are the kind of questions asked when a Christian comes out as pro-gay and pro-marriage equality . People worry about a world , that looks to them , like it is descending into chaos . And so they plant their feet and try so hard to not let the world slip down the proverbial " slippery slope " . They see the world as " going to hell in a hand basket " . And so they get organized and loud and cheer on political candidates that fit their sense of right and wrong .
And yet through the ages reasonable people have agreed that your right to do what you please ends when it interferes with my rights . My rights to life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness . This is the basis for virtually all law in the free world . And is the reason that people rise up and rebel when those in positions of power use their influence to take advantage of others .
For those of us who are followers of Jesus , we see that right and wrong goes so much farther than the protection of individual rights . Jesus didn't just advocate justice for all people . He taught us that the best way to live is to be truly concerned for the welfare of others . Jesus taught us ( and modeled for us ) to think beyond self and to see things from the others perspective . He taught us that the greatest value in life is love for others . Can anyone of us truly imagine what this world would be like if this was the way all people lived ? I believe there would be no more starvation , or people dying due to a lack of clean water or adequate health care . No more abuse , families would remain intact , no more war ! People would never again be judged on a basis of their skin color , their culture , their religion , their gender or sexual orientation . I believe that we would be so much closer to the new creation that Jesus spoke of !
So then , is there anything wrong ? Is anything sinful ? Absolutely yes ! Any time that my life is not in sync with the justice , mercy , compassion and love for others that Jesus modeled for us !
Joe
I agree,Joe! I find that most who protest loudly are operating out of fear... I have been studying the author Richard Rohr for my Dominican Center classes and find his writings very helpful. I also get his daily meditations online. He runs the Center for Action and Contemplation in NewMexico and speaks all over the world. I hope your writing is helping. Love you, Lori
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori , I have read some of his writing and also find it very helpful . I also find that the personal stories on the GayChristianYes.org video section are also very good .
DeleteLove you , Joe
Thanks for sharing this Joe. I agree too. Funny that Lori should mention Richard Rohr because I was thinking of your words when I read yesterday's meditation. I am posting it below.
ReplyDeleteLes
FOLLOWING THE MYSTICS
"Another word to describe mystical moments is emancipation. If it isn’t an experience of newfound freedom, I don’t think it is an authentic God experience. God is always bigger than you imagined or expected or even hoped. When you see people going to church and becoming smaller instead of larger, you have every reason to question whether the practices or sermons or sacraments or liturgies are opening them to an authentic God experience.
On a practical level such experiences will feel like a new freedom to love, and you wonder where it comes from. Why do I have this new desire, this new capacity to love some new people, to love the old people better, maybe to enter into some kind of new love for the world? I even find my thoughts are more immediately loving.
Clearly, you are participating in a Love that’s being given to you. You are not creating this. You are not generating this. It is being generated through you and in you and for you. You are participating in something larger than yourself, and you are just allowing it and trusting it for the pure gift that it is." Richard Rohr
Thanks Les , after reading this I believe that I'll sign up for his meditations .
DeleteJoe