Sunday Homily, June 14, 2015, 11th Ordinary Time, B
Readings:
Ezekiel 17, 22-24. Nope, actually a change this Sunday to 1 Corinthians 13. Bet you cannot guess which great passage this it.
Psalm 92, Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
2 Corinthians 5, 6-10, We are always courageous.
Mark 4, 26-34, On its own accord, the land yields fruit.
The Wedding in Mechanicsburg, PA with Sarah & Beth, and the United Church of Christ ministers, Karin and John.
Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is accepting
This morning I would like to talk about some things that struck me about the wedding we performed last week in Mechanicsburg, PA. As I’ve mentioned, the wedding was between two women.
About 14 years ago I performed the wedding of Beth to a neat guy named Doug, a stocky Greek. They had only been married 6 months when Doug died of a heart attack. Beth is Rosemary’s niece, the daughter of Joe & Claire, who live in Hilton Head, where Rosemary & I love to go for Thanksgiving.
The 3 Sisters, Rosemary, Patty, and Claire.
Beth decided to stay in the house she and Doug owned and stay in her job. During the next few years she got involved with a very open United Church of Christ. Sarah played the organ. They got together and developed a warm friendship. Eventually this lead to their marriage last Saturday.
I don’t know how you all feel about same sex marriages. I personally would have loved to sit down with Beth and have her tell me how it all came about, first marrying a guy, now marrying her best friend. Whatever, I did not have the chance. However, I am convinced from all my years of experience with gay people as a priest and a psychotherapist that no gay person really chooses this path. I have worked with so many who agonized over coming out. It involves hatred and abuse, even from family members.
Cupcake of The Week to Georgie for the do. "I may tease you, Georgie, about the do, but I admire your spirit of exploration. Keep it up. Keep dancing. And keep swimming
The first thing that struck me at the wedding. Did you recognize the 1 Corinthians passage? I confess that after performing so many weddings where I heard the passage read, I eventually was put off by it. Until a few years ago. I suddenly realized it is helpful for me to be reminded of what love really is.
At the wedding I heard Beth’s sister read the passage with such feeling and tears that I and lots more of the 200 more or less people there, we were all in tears. Kristine herself took 30 minutes because she was in tears. I was so touched and so struck.
What a team.
The second thing that struck me was the cordiality and warmth of the present pastor, John, and the previous interim pastor, Karin. I thanked them and told them how I sensed a kinship of spirit among us.
Karin was the one who suggested we go bare footed as a sign of respect for the sanctuary where we were performing the wedding. It was a first for me. Should I do the same here?
Zoe & Buddy say, "Hey, don't forget about us."
The final thing that struck me was the whole hearted acceptance of Beth on the part of, not only her parents, but all the McGinn Clan. Rosemary had 3 brothers and two sisters. One brother died a few years ago. All these siblings have kids and all of them were there, most of them with their kids. Their support was total.
Kristine’s reading about love being patient & kind, the pastors John & Karin, and the total McGinn family acceptance of Beth. A powerful, moving weekend.
Where are you on the whole phenomenon of same sex marriages?
