redefinition and NY WEDDINGS

OK, the last few posts have essentially dealt with music and fashion so here is a little post about the recent decision to allow same-sex marriages in NY. A momentous occasion for some, not so much I'm sure for others. I think it is right and good. My friend Gabri spoke about it a little in his sermon. He talked about the ceremonies he performed in the brief window where it was allowed here in California, and he described those ceremonies as some of the deepest spiritual experiences of his life, anywhere, which is pretty huge coming from someone who has spent a lifetime working in all things spiritual. He wasn't bull-shitting either, pr playing to the crowd, he doesn't play that game, he meant it. He quoted another Episcopal priest, Michael Hopkins, who ministers in New York. Hopkins, in response to the decision said,

"I am reminded of something the then Lutheran Bishop of the Washington Metro Area said to our Diocesan Convention in Washington many years ago. "Progressives in the Church need to remember that God never changes; traditionalists need to remember that God is always doing a new thing." I think this paradox is true today. In terms of marriage, it has, in fact, not changed, and we have, in fact, done a new thing." But in the paragraph before those comments he said this,

"I am struck by the loud cries over the past few days and weeks about the state "redefining" marriage, this, of course, largely from religious leaders. A statement from the Roman Catholic bishops in New York last night decried that the state government had changed “radically and forever humanity’s historic understanding of marriage.” That is, frankly, just so much rhetoric.

The "understanding" of marriage has been evolving from the beginning, the chief record of which is the Bible itself. Search for a single "definition" of marriage in the biblical record and you will search in vain. You will find various understandings at various times and in various cultural settings, including Jesus' own. The church has even chosen over time not to follow Jesus' understanding, allowing for divorce (or that Roman Catholic divorce-by-another-name, annulment) in virtually every circumstance. One could argue that allowing for divorce changed the "understanding" or "definition" of marriage far more than allowing the partners to be of the same gender.

The church's job, in "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit," is constantly to be the agent of the new thing the prophets taught us God is always doing. That means "redefinition" is in our portfolio. It's the business we are in." (bold is mine)

I was struck by his view that the business of the church is redefinition--if only that were true more often. I think this idea linked very well with this week's lectionary Gospel from Matthew 10:40-42, about welcoming. Jesus it seems to me was continually redefining things, offering up new paradigms to live by, one of the chief ones being a radical hospitality, surely one of the main virtues of Christian faith (see giannni vattimo, leonardo boof and the apostle paul). Hospitality--welcome to everyone, anyone, replace the old paradigms of friend/enemy, stranger/neighbour, outcast/insider--all the binary oppositions by which societies have moved and shaped themselves for ever it seems.

I for one, am glad that new York has joined the other few states in allowing for same-sex marriage, i hope the whole country goes that way, and not because I am trying to advance some pro-gay agenda, I just think welcome/hospitality  is the 'right and duty of all' as Kant declares and I think the Church should lead the way in that--but what do I know? I like camouflage shoes!!

Comments

[Barn Weddings]

I don't want to be against your idea about approving to all the countries of the same-sex marriage. But hopefully right decisions will be made from different states.