May 8, 2011
3rd Sunday of Easter. A. Year About
experienced the risen Christ, both on the road to Emmaus and through the sermon of Peter, were moved to do something new, empowered by a Spirit-led heart.
In Acts 2:14, 36-41, Peter, the disciple of Jesus, is facing great difficulties. After the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter leaves the safety of the locked room where she hides with the other disciples, including women and the brothers of Jesus (Acts 1:14). The same mob that crucified Jesus is a threat to this small, scared and huddled group gathered in an upper room. However, the followers of Jesus out bravely now filled with the Holy Spirit, and facing the Jews in Jerusalem. Peter preaches Jesus Christ as the resurrected Messiah, a message to forward his own crucifixion security.
Adding fuel to the fire, Peter accuses the crowd of Jesus' death. Perhaps at this moment he and the disciples have to dodge the stones. However, a miracle happens immediately. Instead of receiving a violent response by the crowd, the Jews are moved immediately. "Hearing this cut to the heart" and asking "what shall we do?" (Verse 37). Peter's response is: "Repent" - "make a radical change." Get away from the corruption of this generation that causes pain and intolerance, and all behaviors that continue to "crucify Christ." The miracle is that many in the crowd really changed!
Too often, many of us in the LGBT community we are facing major difficulties. We live in communities where their members and public servants blasted us feel safe or treated unfairly. We make public our demands and those words provoke more hostility or being deaf ears. At this, the change seems to take forever. But the radical change that occurs in response to Peter's sermon is immediate. Some Sometimes, when all hope seems lost, the crowd was not receptive when suddenly open their hearts wide and adopt radical changes in society. We see this as more and more countries are drafting a law that protects the LGBT community.
The answer to Peter's sermon reminds us that we still have the courage to speak out against injustice, even when difficulties are against us. The Holy Spirit has ways to change hearts.
The psalmist in Psalm 116: -4, 12-19 proclaims the love of God that he has heard and responded to the needs of the Psalmist. The words of this song remind thanked the many ways God seeks the salvation, because God continually inclined to hear our deepest anguish and then acts.
In response, the psalmist says, "I will fulfill my vows to the Lord" (verse 18). Has the singer unstable in compliance with the practices of faith in the past? Perhaps the psalmist is discouraged. As you know our community can be difficult to worship when "the snares of death" (verse 3) we caught. However, the psalmist is now able to sing because he has tasted God's justice. The heart burns with passion and the Psalmist cries out with joy that is the servant of God, who can loose the bonds (verse 16). When our hearts burn with passion for justice, is healthy for us to cry. Speaking out is a faithful response to God's actions on our behalf.
heart issues are linked in Luke 24:13-35 when on the road to Emmaus, the hearts of two disciples of Christ burning within them to hear the prophetic words of the risen Christ. This narrative may be the most mysterious of all the accounts of the resurrection. Since travelers seem to think that whoever unites them is an ordinary guy, he seems to have the appearance of a stranger either.
The meeting in this way and the relationship that continues to run parallel to a deeper level of intimacy that happens when strangers become friends. When we posed first eye each other, our information on the other is limited. The dress and ways of acting may provide some information. However, nationalities, the relationship status and sexual orientation are hidden until you struck up a genuine conversation. Often, our identity as LGBT is not recognized by strangers with whom we meet. Then, like the disciples who are not yet aware of the identity of the stranger's identity, we exchanged stories with us to find out if we trust or spend more time together. Jesus' disciples share their experiences in Jerusalem during the crucifixion. Even when Jesus responds to these events appealing to the prophets, is not yet known. Yet something may be that the burning in their hearts (verse 32), leads to the two disciples to invite Jesus home with them. Jesus accepts the invitation, to break bread together, reveals his identity.
Breaking bread together can open pathways to friendship and intimacy. For the breaking of bread, a common food becomes sacred. You can build confidence, and we learn to care for each other and feel safe revealing the full. The Gospel calls LGBT and straight community to come to the table to eat, laugh, mourn, love. Our hope through Christ is that by sharing food, we co-create a world that accepts us as God created us. When we open ourselves fully and truly get to know "the other"-who, like us, incarnate Christ "do not burn our hearts with joy? Prayer
Too often, many of us in the LGBT community we are facing major difficulties. We live in communities where their members and public servants blasted us feel safe or treated unfairly. We make public our demands and those words provoke more hostility or being deaf ears. At this, the change seems to take forever. But the radical change that occurs in response to Peter's sermon is immediate. Some Sometimes, when all hope seems lost, the crowd was not receptive when suddenly open their hearts wide and adopt radical changes in society. We see this as more and more countries are drafting a law that protects the LGBT community.
When we have witnessed amazing changes in our communities or fast in society that seemed almost impossible?
The answer to Peter's sermon reminds us that we still have the courage to speak out against injustice, even when difficulties are against us. The Holy Spirit has ways to change hearts.
The psalmist in Psalm 116: -4, 12-19 proclaims the love of God that he has heard and responded to the needs of the Psalmist. The words of this song remind thanked the many ways God seeks the salvation, because God continually inclined to hear our deepest anguish and then acts.
In response, the psalmist says, "I will fulfill my vows to the Lord" (verse 18). Has the singer unstable in compliance with the practices of faith in the past? Perhaps the psalmist is discouraged. As you know our community can be difficult to worship when "the snares of death" (verse 3) we caught. However, the psalmist is now able to sing because he has tasted God's justice. The heart burns with passion and the Psalmist cries out with joy that is the servant of God, who can loose the bonds (verse 16). When our hearts burn with passion for justice, is healthy for us to cry. Speaking out is a faithful response to God's actions on our behalf.
How can we keep alive our love for God and his righteousness in the LGBT community?
heart issues are linked in Luke 24:13-35 when on the road to Emmaus, the hearts of two disciples of Christ burning within them to hear the prophetic words of the risen Christ. This narrative may be the most mysterious of all the accounts of the resurrection. Since travelers seem to think that whoever unites them is an ordinary guy, he seems to have the appearance of a stranger either.
Why do you think Jesus' identity is not revealed right away? Why not imagine that Jesus is revealed [ come out ] to these disciples?
The meeting in this way and the relationship that continues to run parallel to a deeper level of intimacy that happens when strangers become friends. When we posed first eye each other, our information on the other is limited. The dress and ways of acting may provide some information. However, nationalities, the relationship status and sexual orientation are hidden until you struck up a genuine conversation. Often, our identity as LGBT is not recognized by strangers with whom we meet. Then, like the disciples who are not yet aware of the identity of the stranger's identity, we exchanged stories with us to find out if we trust or spend more time together. Jesus' disciples share their experiences in Jerusalem during the crucifixion. Even when Jesus responds to these events appealing to the prophets, is not yet known. Yet something may be that the burning in their hearts (verse 32), leads to the two disciples to invite Jesus home with them. Jesus accepts the invitation, to break bread together, reveals his identity.
Breaking bread together can open pathways to friendship and intimacy. For the breaking of bread, a common food becomes sacred. You can build confidence, and we learn to care for each other and feel safe revealing the full. The Gospel calls LGBT and straight community to come to the table to eat, laugh, mourn, love. Our hope through Christ is that by sharing food, we co-create a world that accepts us as God created us. When we open ourselves fully and truly get to know "the other"-who, like us, incarnate Christ "do not burn our hearts with joy? Prayer
inclusive
Spirit help us to fill our hearts, O Christ.
Help us to burn with passion for you
and your people throughout the world.
May our compassion and justice open flames
hope amid a world of despair and pain.
the warmth of our fire is a sign
your compassionate presence in the world.
In the name the risen Christ. Amen.
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