ecumenical, you say....

Today is Father's Day. It is also the local commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Riots (which, yes I know, actually took place on June 27) which are marked by the annual PrideFest celebration and parade. The epistle reading for today is from Galatians 3 which runs as follows:

Brothers and sisters: Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.

Consider, if you will, the implications of Paul's words. Every morning, a pious jew would wake and pray "Thank God I am not a gentile. Thank God I am not a slave. Thank God I am not a woman." Paul is saying that none of that matters. Our heritage, our social status and our gender (or gender bias) matters naught in the eyes of God. What matters is our faith in the meaning of Christ's sacrifice and in His promise.

Put into more modern terms, there is neither gay nor straight, Roman Catholic nor ECC, married nor divorced, Church of England nor Episcopal church. We are all one in Christ Jesus. And if we belong to Christ, then we are beloved of God and are invited to the table of God to receive his mercy and blessing.

As you read this, reflect on the recent happenings, both within your own church, other faith communities and in the world at large. Is that spirit of equality there? Does the faith system you hold put into practice the idea that we are all children of God? If it is variance, then how can we, individually and collectively, help to change this?