circles

Jesus said I am the way, no one comes to the Father but by me. All too often that has been used as an exclusive statement ignoring the many rooms comment just preceding it. This verse, out of context, has been used to promote the perpetuation, not of Jesus’ way, but more often the way of the white straight male Christian right. In my lifetime, the white has largely been dropped as a defining characteristic. In some circles, the male likewise has fallen into disuse. In too many circles however, not being straight is still outside the dogmatically defined circle of God’s love. With the proper use of fear, it sells, and fills the pews and coffers and maintains the power structure. The circles Jesus drew were quite different however, much more inclusive than the Pharisees then or now wish to accept. Jesus’ way is one of compassion, one of grace, one of many rooms in a rainbow of colors. In response, our calling in this life is to recognize one another as brothers and sisters, no matter what faith, if any, or sexual orientation we practice, and build a world that is based on caring about, and for, one another. The opposite of faith is not non-faith, but the oft used weapon of public opinion, fear. When the angels announced the birth of Christ, their first words were “fear not” heralding a new era in God’s circle drawing. It is no accident that the message of sosanchorage.com is one of fear. Through the ages it has been proven to be one of the most successful tools to counter the grace of God in Christ. Father, forgive them, even when they know what they do.