A conversation about this week's lectionary Bible passages

Today’s reading from Joel 2:21-27 urges its audience to “be glad and rejoice” (verse 21) over God’s good gifts. Such an admonition seems appropriate for a text selected for reading on Thanksgiving Day. However, holidays such as Thanksgiving are often difficult times for people who find themselves marginalized by or within family, church and society. Depression, suffering and even suicides are actually quite common at such times.

	What factors can make it difficult for LGBT people to “be glad and rejoice” on holidays such as Thanksgiving?

Although modern readers are sometimes uncomfortable with expressions of unhappiness (often dismissed as “whining”), numerous biblical texts testify to the validity of laments about suffering. Such laments are especially common in the psalms. Even today’s reading from Psalm 126, though focused on joy and laughter, acknowledges the reality of weeping. Thus, biblical calls to praise do not entail an ignorance or denial of suffering. They do, however, presuppose that suffering can be turned into happiness and that “those who go out weeping” can “come home with shouts of joy” (verse 5). They do not speak about a thanksgiving that hides from the realities of suffering. Rather, they speak about a thanksgiving for the transformation and blessing that can lead from suffering to joy.

The affirmation of Joel 2:21-22 that even the soil and the animals have reason to look forward to God’s blessing shows that such blessings are available to everyone. Indeed, this point is made as well in the readings from 1 Timothy 2:1-7, which urge their readers to offer prayers and thanksgiving for everyone; and in Matthew 6:25-33, which extend God’s care even to the birds and the flowers. God’s desire to bless is, in these passages, universal, and certainly includes LGBT people.

	For what blessings do LGBT folk hope and work? For what blessings do LGBT folk already have reason to be thankful?

The admonition in 1 Timothy 2:1 “that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone” reminds those who wish to exclude or discriminate against LGBT people that God’s care extends to everyone, and not only to individuals whose lives conform to narrow notions of proper sex, gender and family. On the other hand, such an admonition serves as a useful reminder to them, not only of God’s desire to bless them, but also of God’s desire to bless others. For example, as the readings from Joel and Matthew indicate, the biblical tradition consistently represents God as caring about the welfare of those who need food, clothing and other basic necessities.

If we take seriously the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-33, we need not worry excessively about our own circumstances or become preoccupied with our own food and clothing but rather should strive for “the kingdom of God.” Since God’s realm is, in the biblical tradition, characterized by justice for everyone, our work toward that realm involves not only the struggle for equal rights for LGBT people, but also struggles against poverty, racial injustice, sexism and violence. A world in which all such struggles achieve their goals would truly be cause for thanksgiving.

	How can LGBT folk and their allies strive for a “kingdom of God” that is truly inclusive of everyone and truly a reason to give thanks?

Though it is easy to imagine that such a world is unrealistic, Christians are reminded by today’s Gospel passage of the importance of trust in God. Indeed, taking all of these passages together, we can conclude that trust and thanksgiving go together. When we trust God as the one who desires our blessing, while simultaneously striving for God’s inclusive realm, we find ourselves experiencing the joy and laughter in the present about which these texts speak.

A conversation about this week's lectionary Bible passages

Luke 21:25-36 can be a difficult text to understand, especially during what is supposed to be a joyous time. We prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas, but this passage addresses the end of the age. Jesus tells his disciples that the time will come when people “will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:26). The interesting twist is that although this would appear to be a text of doom and gloom, it is in truth the opposite. This period of chaotic change, when entire populations will be confused “by the roaring of the sea and the waves,” is just the birth pangs of a new age of justice (Luke 21:25).

Jeremiah 33:14-16 makes this point most clearly. The prophet tells us that God has promised us that one day we will live in a land where justice and righteousness reign. Instead of being in despair because of the rapid and often confusing changes that are occurring around us, Jesus tells us, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Changes, especially huge social ones, are often difficult for us to accept. At other times, those who press for such changes are met with fierce resistance. The gospel tells us, however, that such change is to be welcomed as preparation for the new age that will be ushered in by Jesus Christ.

	Where in society do you see social changes emerging? How are the church and broader society exhibiting resistance and support for those changes?

For those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community fighting for change in our society is a challenge that can feel like a burden. Advances on one front can often be met with stagnation and even regression on other fronts. Being an agent of change can bring us to the point of despair. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 urges us, however, to face the challenges with the confidence that God is working with us to create a world in which all individuals can live in dignity. Instead of cynicism and despair, the apostle Paul prays that Christ will “make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). All the readings for the day call for us to embrace the transformations that are going on around us, and even to honor our own roles in bringing about these transformations — because they are signs that reign of God is near (Luke 21:31).

Shively T. J. Smith, an ally of LGBT people, says, “In Christ’s advent there is no division among people based on race, gender, sexual orientation and class. Rather there is equality and loving acceptance beyond our human understanding and average human experience. All people will see and feel the distress of the world. All people are also free to experience the strength and peace of God which comes from a divine relationship that reorients us to the world around us.”

	Where is radical social transformation needed in your local community? How can you and your faith community organize and contribute to such transformation?

The gospel passage from Luke ends with a word of warning that may be particularly relevant to those in the LGBT community: “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life” (Luke 21:34). Being on the front lines of any struggle can be difficult. Depression, addiction and a sense of helplessness challenge members of the LGBT community daily. We can easily be misled into thinking that working for positive change in our society is futile. Psalm 25:1-10 is helpful here. It is a prayer that calls on God to assist us in such difficult times, to keep us faithful.

Michael Joseph Brown, who works with the AIDS Survival Project in Atlanta, points out, “It would be easy to become cynical about the slow rate of progress in our world, especially when it comes to pandemics like HIV/AIDS. Millions around the world are affected by this devastating disease, and even in the United States the spread of HIV/AIDS among marginalized communities is relentless. I remain hopeful, however, because just when I think we have reached the end of our rope, God raises up allies and additional resources from unexpected places.” Transformation can appear chaotic, disturbing and futile, but we should take heart in our moments of doubt and confusion that God’s promise to us is that the day will come when we can live in dignity and safety, and that God is actively working for this as well.

	At devastating and depressing times, when have you felt like divine help has come to you and your community? What are ways you can cultivate hope in communities in the midst of social crisis and helplessness?