February 27, 2011
Sunday 8 th after Epiphany. A year .
In the passages for today, the Bible speaks of "out." But what are the distinctive features of this "exit"? What does God have to do with it?
What we are invited?
The invitation to "come out" has been a meeting point in the LGBT movement. Thus Isaiah 49:8-16, with its explicit call to "come out" (49:9) and its promises of liberty, seem to be an ideal passage for a welcoming and inclusive Christian community.
Of course, "come out" against social prejudice, political and individual remains difficult. Given the realities of employment discrimination, religious intolerance and rejection by their families, LGBT people have many good reasons to be concerned about the possible consequences of "out."
The exiled Israelites to whom Isaiah 49 addresses apparently have reason to worry about their future as well. In fact, verse 14 states that have been abandoned and forgotten by God. However, the author of Isaiah 49 responds to such desperation "transexualizando" to the deity of Israel. Although God is frequently presented as a male deity in the Hebrew Bible, the prophet of God characterized here as a compassionate mother who cares for young children (verse 15). Even though a mother forget her children occasionally, continues the prophet, God of Israel will never forget. The message of the oracle that subverts the genre is, therefore, one of hope and encouragement.
The reader is encouraged to trust God even in difficult circumstances, in a passage that recalls the words of the Psalmist says in Psalm 131, which " I have behaved and quieted my soul like a weaned child of his mother" (verse 2). This hope, this confidence and this care are still important for people of faith to "come out" of any type of difficult circumstances to start a path to an uncertain future.
How is the image of God as a nurturing mother to the people of faith who are trying to leave oppressive circumstances?
Hope and trust are emphasized also in Matthew 6:24-34. Jesus' admonition against concern " for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor about your body, what ye shall put on", is well known but difficult to follow. However, there may be a crucial piece of advice for those struggling against injustice, or support unpopular causes, as anxiety over the future can completely prevent someone to act. Drawing attention to the birds, flowers and other living things in the vibrant creation of God Jesus reminds us of God's care for his creatures and that the concern often does not get us anywhere. In addition, this reflection on the establishment offers a way to re-focus ourselves to the challenges.
This re-centralization may be useful for people who are out of any difficult situation, as desired by the confident assertion of Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 that ultimately only care about the judgments of God . Neither the opinions of others, even (as Paul suggests in verse 3) our own tendency to judge ourselves, should make us turn away from the task to which we are called.
However, while the exhortation of Isaiah 49 to "leave" can encourage people of faith today, it is important to bear in mind the differences in context and situation. Isaiah 49 was written for real people of the ancient world had to contend with geographical displacement as a result of military occupation by an imperial power. Customers are invited to "come out" are explicitly called "prisoners" (verse 9). Far from making this post irrelevant to contemporary readers, recognition of the historical context of the chapter can encourage us to broaden our understanding of the various struggles that have faced different peoples around the world in the past and the present. After all, the geographical displacement, military occupation and physical prison, are as real today as in the ancient world. All people living like they really need to hear words of encouragement and hope. Thus, careful reflection on Isaiah 49 inclusive church provides the opportunity to find links and alliances between multiple movements for justice, peace and compassion.
However, while the exhortation of Isaiah 49 to "leave" can encourage people of faith today, it is important to bear in mind the differences in context and situation. Isaiah 49 was written for real people of the ancient world had to contend with geographical displacement as a result of military occupation by an imperial power. Customers are invited to "come out" are explicitly called "prisoners" (verse 9). Far from making this post irrelevant to contemporary readers, recognition of the historical context of the chapter can encourage us to broaden our understanding of the various struggles that have faced different peoples around the world in the past and the present. After all, the geographical displacement, military occupation and physical prison, are as real today as in the ancient world. All people living like they really need to hear words of encouragement and hope. Thus, careful reflection on Isaiah 49 inclusive church provides the opportunity to find links and alliances between multiple movements for justice, peace and compassion.
What links established as LGBT people of faith with other communities who suffer injustice and violence? How can LGBT people be called to serve or to be in solidarity with these communities?
inclusive Prayer
God of hope and care, and Mother of us all,
seek your support as we left our difficult situations.
Help us to remember and support others
also emerging from difficult circumstances,
which are often very different from ours. Sustain
in your strong arms, we pray. Amen.
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