Our Prodigal God

We are all familiar with the story of what has become known as the “Prodigal Son.” The focus of the story is always on the younger son, as indicated by the title. However, at the mass at my home parish of Holy Nativity, Rev. Aimee shed new light on the parable. She shifted the focus from the son to his father. The word ‘prodigal’ means ‘extravagant.’ If we think of this word as describing the father, as opposed to the younger son, it then becomes a parable about God’s extravagant love. Keep that in mind while reading the rest of this entry.
So when Jesus tells a parable that reflects a kingdom in which the return of someone lost renders a feast and unconditional acceptance, it is not taken well by those who criticize Jesus for keeping company with those which the ruling class has deemed “unworthy.” In many ways, the Pharisees in Jesus’ time were like the elder brother. However, the love and kingdom of God supersedes human standards of judgment, and thus, the father in the story welcomes, with unrequited love, the return of his son. As LGBTQ persons, there are times when it may seem more advantageous for us to simply leave our Christian identity behind us. Many times, Christian leaders portray the two identities (LGBTQ and Christian) as being incompatible or contradictory. I tried it myself and, like the younger son, found myself empty and alone. Indeed, when I returned to faith and found the Episcopal church, I was welcomed with the prodigal love of Christians who, like the father, accepted me with open arms.
The Gospels consistently portray Jesus as one who associated with “sinners.” This is something with which the Pharisees had a field day in questioning Jesus’ authority and discrediting him to others. Sometimes, even his apostles questioned why he associated with those which society considered unworthy at the time (notably, women and children). However, whenever someone tries to tell Jesus that he shouldn’t be associating with these “sinners,” Jesus always rebukes the person with a norm defying response.
As queer Christians, this is something especially liberating. Jesus made his home with those on the fringe of society; he did so without apology while defending those in places where often times, we find ourselves. Jesus defends us as well, with the prodigal love of the father in this parable. So when Psalm 32 sings the salvation of “those whose transgression is forgiven" (verse 1). In reading the psalm, connections with the Parable of the Prodigal Son emerge. God’s grace resides not in our moral ability to repent but in God’s free embrace of us, whatever our circumstances. This is the pattern we also see in Jesus’ ministry.
Israel’s sacred story recalls enslavement in Egypt and divine deliverance. Joshua 5:9-12 expresses how Israel’s Scriptures never relinquished this humble heritage. Passover celebrates this history as part of Israel’s redemption and salvation. So when LGBTQ persons are excluded, or made to feel like outsiders, by religious communities, those doing the excluding would do well to remember this history as well, for it plays an integral role in the overall history of humanity’s salvation.

Transformations, Promises and Strength for the Weak

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36


Today's readings are a beautiful testimony of of life in God; one the one hand, we hear the Psalmist proclaim his trust in the Lord, on the other hand, we see the uncertainty that also accompanies life in Christ. And yet, woven in these readings is the unwavering persistence and encouragement that defines God's love for us. It is in that love that we are given a life of peace, reconciliation, and radical inclusiveness.
The Transfiguration is a "coming out" of sorts for Christ. Jesus is on his way to his home which, according to Luke and Acts, is Jerusalem, when he calls three of his apostles to the mountain to pray. From the Old Testament, we know mountains to be a place of revelation for the Lord. When they are praying, the Lord transforms himself, revealing his true self. In many ways, this was the "ah ha" moment that Peter, James, and John needed in order for the message of Jesus to make sense for them. As LGBTQ persons, we have our own "ah ha" moment; that moment when we first accept our sexual orientation. When we have that moment, we enter into a more authentic relationship with the Lord. We cannot begin to understand the mystery of the Divine until we begin to understand ourselves. Our own transfigurations occur when we tell our friends and family who we really are. 
At face, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul seems to be calling for conformity. Surely, God does not call us to conformity to human ways. However, Paul reminds us that we must follow in the example of Christ, who served for the salvation of humankind. Paul decries those who use ministry in order to build up their own image. Imitating Paul, which means living in the image of Christ, means considering the needs of our community before considering our own. Reflecting on this, it raises the question: in what ways can our experiences as queer persons be used to benefit our own faith communities? 
The Old Testament reading for this week look back at God's covenant with Abraham. Just as God made a promise to provide descendants for Abraham despite the obvious problem of no offspring God will provide for His queer children. Often times, things that seem impossible in the eyes of human society, are an opportunity for God to work miracles. How can I be a means for God's work of salvation if there are churches that don't accept me? The fact is, with God, works of incredible hope can be worked through all of us. 
Today's Psalm celebrates the complete reliance he has on the Lord. It is in God that those who are cast out and scorned must rely. As queer persons, especially Christians, we often feel excluded, so hearing the Psalmist sing "God is our light and salvation, whom shall we fear" (verse 1) becomes a line of great comfort. Even though we are aware of the real dangers that exist in the world, we must also be aware of the protection of God. 
Because there are some who are forsaken by friends and family, the need for us to foster sacred spaces for all to worship becomes increasingly apparent. In the face of opposition, we can find comfort in the knowledge that the Lord is protecting us in our endeavors as we do the work that we are called to do.