I am so sick of this - of someone's sexual or affectional orientation seen as a shameful condition. What is this - the 1960’s so pointedly portrayed on the AMC series “Mad Men”?
This latest case - a Senator who was caught “soliciting”, they say, sex in an airport men’s room - has led to firm and furious denials of “being gay” - am not and never was. As if there’s something wrong with that.
Oh yeah, I forgot. This is the United States in the early 21st century... there is something wrong with that, in some people’s eyes. But it’s hard to listen to the news on NPR and hear people asking for his resignation because of this.
You see, it’s not clear if he ought to resign because he lied, was arrested and pled guilty to something. If those were the reasons, fine. He is not trustworthy and shows poor judgment.
Or he should resign because he is homosexual - a closeted gay man in a homophobic, straight world.
In my heart I think it is because he may - or may not be - homosexual. That is the crime, the transgression. I have to think that hurts every gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, any queer person. To hear, over and over, how unacceptable we are - even if it’s only inferential. Sigh…
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
After the Wedding
They were of different religions. The ceremony was not to be overtly religious - no trace of Hindu or Muslim religion - but inclusive of some cultural traditions.
And it also had to bring together the 500 people gathered that day: family from England, India and across the United States; generations assimilated but clearly tethered to tradition and family; and friends who created “family” when parents and relations are separated by ocean and continent. What to do?
What I preached in the ceremony was the universal message and meaning of marriage - love, commitment, understanding, common purpose, respectful of differences, et cetera. The words reflected sentiments expressed in both sides’ wedding traditions without quoting either of them.
Later, after dancing and drinks and good food, we were all feeling uplifted by the day. It was a beautiful event, and the handsome couple carried themselves with grace throughout. Their joy and affection for each other showed through all the words, glittering finery and rituals.
Many people stopped to tell me that they enjoyed or were moved by the wedding ceremony. This is not unusual for Unitarian Universalist clergy, in my experience. And I am not immune to compliments and frankly was glad to know I had hit the mark… and most relieved to not have offended anyone!
But to hear “Your words were just right,” spoken with smiles, relief and appreciation, and then have it followed with something like “If we could only all live by them outside in the world.” brought a sigh and a bit of sadness. Yes, if only.
This got me to thinking that maybe, just maybe, if we keep doing things like this enough - if we get comfortable living in the borders that the world creates; if we lose the fear of difference often enough to risk loving and accepting one another - drop by drop, bit by bit, the balance may tip in favor of beloved community. Just maybe…
And it also had to bring together the 500 people gathered that day: family from England, India and across the United States; generations assimilated but clearly tethered to tradition and family; and friends who created “family” when parents and relations are separated by ocean and continent. What to do?
What I preached in the ceremony was the universal message and meaning of marriage - love, commitment, understanding, common purpose, respectful of differences, et cetera. The words reflected sentiments expressed in both sides’ wedding traditions without quoting either of them.
Later, after dancing and drinks and good food, we were all feeling uplifted by the day. It was a beautiful event, and the handsome couple carried themselves with grace throughout. Their joy and affection for each other showed through all the words, glittering finery and rituals.
Many people stopped to tell me that they enjoyed or were moved by the wedding ceremony. This is not unusual for Unitarian Universalist clergy, in my experience. And I am not immune to compliments and frankly was glad to know I had hit the mark… and most relieved to not have offended anyone!
But to hear “Your words were just right,” spoken with smiles, relief and appreciation, and then have it followed with something like “If we could only all live by them outside in the world.” brought a sigh and a bit of sadness. Yes, if only.
This got me to thinking that maybe, just maybe, if we keep doing things like this enough - if we get comfortable living in the borders that the world creates; if we lose the fear of difference often enough to risk loving and accepting one another - drop by drop, bit by bit, the balance may tip in favor of beloved community. Just maybe…
Monday, August 06, 2007
Refulgence…
Well, there’s a fifty-cent word if I ever used one! I first encountered it in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famed Divinity School Address of 1838:
In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life. The grass grows, the buds burst, the meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers.
As I step out onto the patio, about to tackle the weeds taking over the herb garden, Mr. Emerson’s phrase comes to mind. The air is hot, a little humid. Insects buzz about. I watch seven or eight small white butterflies dance gracefully through the catnip blossoms. The sun is shining brightly as a few clouds drift overhead in the hazy blue sky. In many ways, a perfect summer day!
Indeed, it is a luxury to breathe deeply this abundant life. Soon, the tomatoes will ripen and the peppers will grow fat. And I write this after spending the past week thinking, listening, preaching and breathing sermons. What Emerson said to those young men on that July day ushered in a revolution in religion, and served as a guiding principle in that course now completed: The true preacher can be known by this, that he deals out to the people his life, — life passed through the fire of thought.
Yet on this refulgent day, I am no less stirred by his charge to those 19th century ministers than I am by the joys (and drudgery) of the backyard gardens in July and August. Both demand my awareness, my attention and my whole self. For now, though, I will give myself over to the luxury of tending these green and growing things. And sipping a tall, lemony iced tea now and then.
I know I am lucky to have these moments, this respite from the day-to-day. The world, with all its cares and woes, is not far from my elbow as I bend to pull one more weed. To draw that breath of life is, indeed, a luxury. Gratitude fills my heart as I know I will turn from this orderly patch of earth to wrestle life’s greater concerns soon enough.
May the rest of your summer days be a balanced combination of work and play, of reflection and action. more soon…
In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life. The grass grows, the buds burst, the meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers.
As I step out onto the patio, about to tackle the weeds taking over the herb garden, Mr. Emerson’s phrase comes to mind. The air is hot, a little humid. Insects buzz about. I watch seven or eight small white butterflies dance gracefully through the catnip blossoms. The sun is shining brightly as a few clouds drift overhead in the hazy blue sky. In many ways, a perfect summer day!
Indeed, it is a luxury to breathe deeply this abundant life. Soon, the tomatoes will ripen and the peppers will grow fat. And I write this after spending the past week thinking, listening, preaching and breathing sermons. What Emerson said to those young men on that July day ushered in a revolution in religion, and served as a guiding principle in that course now completed: The true preacher can be known by this, that he deals out to the people his life, — life passed through the fire of thought.
Yet on this refulgent day, I am no less stirred by his charge to those 19th century ministers than I am by the joys (and drudgery) of the backyard gardens in July and August. Both demand my awareness, my attention and my whole self. For now, though, I will give myself over to the luxury of tending these green and growing things. And sipping a tall, lemony iced tea now and then.
I know I am lucky to have these moments, this respite from the day-to-day. The world, with all its cares and woes, is not far from my elbow as I bend to pull one more weed. To draw that breath of life is, indeed, a luxury. Gratitude fills my heart as I know I will turn from this orderly patch of earth to wrestle life’s greater concerns soon enough.
May the rest of your summer days be a balanced combination of work and play, of reflection and action. more soon…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
