Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Galatians 3:28 – There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (NRSV)

Wednesday night, I had the privilege of attending my first “Light Up the Cathedral” service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown San Diego.  This annual service is how the extended faith community in our county kicks off Pride Weekend.  There are many readings from various traditions and writers, shared by people from a broad swath of our community.  There is also an award given each year, the “Light of Pride Award,” which was given this year to Santee United Methodist Church, for their efforts in getting the Santee Pride Parade going over the past few years.

An added bonus for me was that my friend, Brother Yusef Miller, was the preacher this year.  He began his message by “answering a question he hadn’t been asked,” that is, why was he there speaking when the assumed position of Islam on LGBTQ+ equality is not particularly affirming?  He told us the answer was in the Quran, because that is he where he reads messages about the basic dignity and equality of every human.  That is where he reads words about the love of Allah (God), which is an active force in the world, setting things right and lifting up each person.  It was a blessing to hear him.

As we approach our Open & Affirming Commitment Sunday, with our second annual special offering, I invite you to consider the ways in which you understand our own scriptures to support full equality of all people.  This verse from Galatians is just one place to start.  As we learn how to live more deeply into our commitment to welcome and affirm all people, I know that we will identify many different ways in which the scriptures and the Spirit are sharing the message of God’s unconditional love for all people.