In the second reading today, Paul talked about how we are all parts of one body and how all of those parts are necessary for a body to function properly. I do love that imagery, but I prefer a different image that doesn’t have some of the ableist connotations that this passage has. I prefer to look at the church as a symphony or a tapestry. Both are works of art that have many different bits and pieces that make it what it is. If you leave out or change a part of the tapestry or symphony, you alter it from what it could be.
If you’ve ever heard the Overture to the opera “Phantom of the Opera”, you are familiar with the opening notes which are blasted out on an organ. Now, imagine those same notes played on a piano or a guitar. Would the music have the same power in those cases? The answer is no. It may still be pretty, but it is missing a vital something that makes it the gloriously haunting opening that it is. Or imagine the “1812 Overture” without the crashing symbols and sounds of cannons firing. Would it still be the awesome music to play on July 4th? Of course not!
In the same way, a church that is not fully affirming is missing out on vital aspects of life that make everything the way God intended. When we exclude any group, we miss out on the gifts that that group brings to the table. If only males lead churches, we miss out on the perspectives that women or non-binary people bring. If only straight people lead, then we miss out on what members of the queer community bring to the table. These groups, which have historically been marginalized or unrepresented, often have a perspective that allows them to advocate for other marginalized groups and gives a “bottom up” view of the world that sees things that the “top down” perspective misses.
For the Offering Song today, we will be singing “Draw the Circle Wide”, a song which perfectly encapsulates the ideal we have here are CTS. On the website, it says “Christ the Servant seeks to be a home for people— wherever they are on their spiritual journey –where they are safe, accepted, cared for, and then challenged to grow in Christ and sent out to love and serve in the world.” We don’t look to limit ourselves based on someone’s sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. Rather, we want everyone who comes in to know that they are a child of God and they are loved just as they are.
Sadly, too many Christian churches, even many in the ELCA, are not welcoming or affirming. This leads to a situation where many people who are queer reject religion because they see many prominent religious voices calling them “intrinsically disordered”; saying that they are destined for hell, unworthy to raise children in a loving home, or unworthy to be married to celebrate the love they have for each other. They also hear these same voices denying the identities of people who are transgender or non-binary and telling them that their experiences are invalid and unworthy of being heard.
These churches are taking the circle and tightening it rather than widening it. They are taking the tapestry and trying to make it monochromatic. They are taking the symphony of the church and turning it into something simpler and easier for them to listen to rather than trying to see the beauty in the differences that exist. They are ignoring the word of Jesus that we hear in the Gospel today:
“‘You must love the Most High God
with all your heart,
with all your soul and
with all your mind.’
“That is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘You
must love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these the whole Law is based
—and the Prophets as well.”
They are also ignoring the Great Commission: to make disciples of the nations. When people hear that they, or people they love, are unworthy to be included in the church, that makes it that less likely that they will be a part of that church. After all, why be in a church that tells people that they are unworthy because of who they are? Why be a part of a church that tells people that they are destined for damnation because of how God created them? Instead, we need to show the love of God to all people.
One of my favorite quotes allegedly comes from Saint Francis of Assisi: Go and preach the Gospel unto all the world. If necessary, use words. Another quote I love is from Mother Teresa: There are no great things, only small things done with great love. These two quotes encapsulate CTS and the mission of the church. By our actions, which demonstrate the love that God has for all of us, we show that
"As disciples of Christ seeking justice and reconciliation among all people,
we at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church welcome all into the fullness of
God’s love. We welcome everyone, without exception and regardless of
sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and
mental ability, age, or anything else that too often divides us."
And this is what we are celebrating today. We are celebrating the love of God and showing that all are children of God and loved just as they are. So today, and all days, may you show the world the love of God: a love that is all inclusive and all encompassing, a love that gives and gives until it has nothing left and then manages to give even more. It is agape, a perfect, transcendent love, a love that raised the mountains, created the world, and breathed life into humans. A love that is transformative and validating. A love that abides no borders because it knows no borders. Love freely, love boldly, and let the world know that we are Christians by our love. Amen.
