Why leave?
Today is the Sunday closest to Ascension Day. Today is also the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia.
I found myself wondering how I was going to bring these two important things together. As I was wondering, pondering even, the Holy Spirit told me to stop worrying about it; it would work out. I may not be the fastest learner, but one thing I have learned is to listen to the Spirit when she speaks to me. (Let’s get one thing out of the way, just in case, I do not hear the Spirit speaking with my ears, it is less audible but no less clear.)
The sermon title came to me as I was thinking about how I was told the sermon would work out. How many of the Christ’s disciples asked, “Why leave?” Did any of them feel . . . well betrayed by the Ascension? Did they feel abandoned? Of course, we, from our historical vantage point, realize that Jesus was not being metaphorical when he said the Holy Spirit would come and would actually be better than his sticking around. But did they know that? I don’t think so. I think they felt abandoned. This led me to the other day we note today. How many of our friends, acquaintances, family members, who are members of the 2SLGBTQI community, feel abandoned? Abandoned by family, friends, faith communities. I suspect it is many.
I would like to say my sermon ties all of this up, but it doesn’t. I have just as many questions as I had before, and so may you. What I did get out of thinking through today’s readings and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia was that while the feeling of abandonment is legitimate and real, there are answers to it. The answer to Jesus ascending to become fully the Christ was the Holy Spirit. The answer to the 2SLGBTQI community is that we are there for them. Jesus told us we had two commandments: love God with all our heart and soul and mind, and our neighbours as ourselves. We know what we need to do; now we either begin to do it or continue to do it.
As always, and even more with this sermon, I am very interested in what you think. Please let me know as you are inclined and able.
“Why leave?” St. Mark’s Presbyterian (to download, right-click and select “Save Link As . . .”)
Blessings,
