This week has been an interesting week. We have kicked off Pride month, which for those like me and many in our congregation identify as LGBT, is a celebratory month. We celebrate the fact that we are here, we are alive, and we have risen above the hate and anger spewed at us and our very existence for decades upon decades. We march in parades, throw wonderful parties, and dance in the street in remembrance of those who can not.
It is no wonder that when the death of one of those people, The Rev. Pat Robertson was announced this Thursday, some of us did not mourn. Instead our anger toward him mingled with the celebratory mood and it appeared we were celebrating something that others were mourning.
I can understand that! While I did not celebrate, I remember the words that this man used to describe me. “ Spawn of demons” for one. I also remember him stating in an interview on his network that the HIV pandemic, which we still battle to this day in our community and live with the stigma of that it was “ God pruning his garden so that it could flurish once again.” Meaning we are the very thing that is keeping God’s plan from unfolding on the earth.
While I disagree with this theology and know it to be untrue as I witness the many good things we do day in and day out as LGBT followers of the living Christ, I can not join in the celebration of his death. But I do pray for his soul and pray that as he stands before the living God he learns the errors of his theology and makes atonement and is made worthy to celebrate in heaven with all the saints.
The reason I make this prayer is because this week is Corpus Christi, or in English, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a feast that celebrates the power of the Holy Eucharist. The sacred food that Jesus gave us moments before his trial, and march to death.
The apostle Paul reminds us that the Sacred meal is a meal of unity. It unites us in our faith when we are gathered and it is a meal of equality. Much like Pride is a celebration of our equality in society.
So instead of celebrating the death of a villian in our story, I ask that you join me and pray and instead direct our anger toward healing, and focus our actions instead on unity rather than division, love rather than hate for that is the mark in which we are to be known.
Happy Pride month!
Matt+