Wednesday May 26, 2010

by Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson
Rector & Senior Pastor

Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. Luke 22. 59 & 60

It is anticipated that sometime this week Congress will vote on whether or not to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” It is interesting that this vote will come on the eve of the Memorial Day Weekend, a time when we remember those who have died serving our country. What is even more interesting is that among those who have died, in all of the wars and military conflicts, in our country’s history are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender service people. Those individuals served their country just as faithfully as their heterosexual counterparts. The only difference between them was that the LGBT service people served in silence. They trained the same, they served the same, they followed orders the same, they bled and died the same, and many of them were honored for their service.

As I think about the coming vote in Congress, I am reminded that it is often difficult to do the work of justice. It requires courage to stand and be counted. One of the most poignant moments of scripture takes place when Peter, among Jesus’ closest disciples, denies knowing Jesus in his time of trial. Peter not only denies knowing Jesus once, but three times. I wonder what might have happened if Peter had stood and been counted as a follower of Jesus. Might there have been others sitting by the fire who wanted to support this rabbi of Nazareth, this innocent man, but did not have the courage? Perhaps an open confession by Peter that he knew Jesus would have turned the crowd in favor of Jesus. Or, more likely, Peter would have been arrested and executed as well. Even so, Jesus would not have gone to his death alone to be executed between two strangers. He would have had a friend with him.

As difficult as it sometimes is to stand and be counted, it is more likely that we succumb to the sin of complacency. We fail to stand and be counted because we simply do not think our voice will make a difference. Either way, lack of courage or complacency, means that the work of justice goes wanting. At the Cathedral of Hope we believe that LGBT people are people of sacred worth, just as our heterosexual sisters and brothers are people of sacred worth. We proclaim and support an understanding of LGBT people as normal, adjusted, healthy people. In such a proclamation, it is incumbent upon us to stand and be counted, to make the call, to send the e-mail, to join the Facebook page, to let our representatives know that we believe that LGBT people should no longer have to serve in silence.

On this eve of the Memorial Day weekend, click HERE to make the call, stand and be counted , so that justice may prevail for all people.

Loving God, Lover of all people, breathe your Spirit into me today, that I may be a person of passionate courage and act so that all your children may live in a just and peace-filled world. Amen.