Hi, my name is Elizabeth! Hopefully, this will be an online blog/journal that will help me, and maybe you, grow closer to God. Transgender 🏳️⚧️ Episcopalian/Anglican ✝️🙏🏻 Human 💜
As we hunker down in these ice storms, let us remember the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle: who on the road to Damascus received a vision from the risen Lord in which the scales fell from his eyes.
May all those who persecute Christ's children lay down their arms. May the scales fall from their eyes. May they learn to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
May the Love of God who is Love melt icy hearts, and may the Lord bless those who are currently de-icing our streets.
We pray for the martyrs of these ice storms across our nation. Let us continue to keep our neighbors safe under these dangerous conditions.
EDIT: With all the notes flowing in (woah, that was unexpected! Thanks, everyone!), here are the saints from L-R: Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Pedro Calungsod, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, and Saint Isidore the Laborer.
My health is deteriorating, and I'm not getting any better.
If you think I'm crashing out, that's because I am. And you should too.
I am treating each and every day like it's my last. We're all sick in Scioto county because of the A Plant and their fallout. I'm fighting for my people and these babies.
Enriched Uranium from the plant goes to weapons manufacturers to commit war crimes overseas.
Crimes against humanity on our own people with our 70+ years of poisoning by these cancers and diseases.
Crimes against humanity against their people with their 70+ years of illegal occupation on our dime.
I don't have the time for "politeness" to people on either side of the political aisle who do not offer me or other marginalized communities the same benefit of the doubt.
So if you need to take a break from my feed, I understand. If you need to take a break from my friendship, I understand.
But I refuse to be "nice" when politeness is a tool of an oppressor to discredit the voice of the powerless. American politics are full of debates from the bully pulpit, and Lord, it all needs called out.
Too much left vs. right when the real struggle is bottom vs. top.
So if you need to crash out, this is your sign. And if you need to rest, this is your sign.
Know that I will always advocate for nonviolence as I look towards my heroes like Dr. King Jr. And Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
But remember his words, former Archbishop of South Africa--this prolific man of God: "Hope is being able to see that there is light *despite* all of the darkness."
"No good of any sort, however trifling it may be, will be scorned by the righteous judge. If sins are searched out in such detail that we should give an answer for words and desires and thoughts, then so much the more good deeds, however small they are, will be taken into account in all detail, and will be reckoned to our merit before our judge, who is full of love."
-St. John Chrysostom
From "The Pilgrim Continues His Way," translated by R.M. French
"They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb."
Today's Gospel reading is rough. I wonder if Herodias (the wife, not the daughter whose name is amended in other forms of Mark's Gospel to Salome) was embarrassed of her husband. John was a wild man of a prophet--said to have the spirit of the prophet Elijah. John spoke up against the hypocrisy of the elite of his time. He was known for his fiery chastisement of injustice and sin. John was not gentle or kind to the people he spoke up against. He condemned them with a fiery passion.
We as Christians are called to do the same, even if the consequence is death. I can't say for certain that I would be able to have the bravery and passion of John, but I want to. I can't say that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart will be acceptable to God, but I want them to be. I can't say that the Holy Spirit will flow through me just as it flowed through St. John the Baptist, but I want it to. Although we have no idea what will happen in the future, I pray that we will strive to remember our Baptismal Covenant refrain:
"I will, with God's help."
Today, that has to be enough.
Almighty God, who didst call thy servant John to be the forerunner of thy Son our Lord both in life and death; grant, we beseech thee, that as we remember his faithfulness unto death, we may with boldness speak thy truth and with humility be ready to hear it; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.
Photo Credit:
Head of Saint John the Baptist in a Cup Painting by Russian Icon
Just a little scripture this morning that's given me comfort. I hope it gives y'all some, too. 💜
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Psalm 37:10-15 NRSVue (of David)
"Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, but the LORD laughed at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend their how's to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those who walk uprightly; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well...for there is a force of love moving through the universe that holds us fast and will never let us go.
I think it’s dope as hell how many proudly queer Christians there are on Tumblr. I don’t know many irl and oftentimes I feel like my bisexuality and my faith are both seen as “uncomfortable,” depending on who I’m with. My queer friends tend to have (extremely reasonable) reservations because they’ve been hurt by religious communities. And even the most well-meaning cishet Christians can be kinda… awkward. Ironically, despite the fact that this blog doesn’t have my irl name on it, it’s authentic to who I am in a way I can’t always be around other people in person.
I also appreciate how so many of y’all continue to value the traditions and history of your denominations. I truly believe the accusations of theological bankruptcy among queer Christians don’t hold water. I know that at least for me, it took a lot of studying, praying, and self-reflection to reach where I am today. It’s not a wide and easy path, as much as some might claim it is.
Things are hard and getting harder, but I believe the Spirit resides among queer Christians the world over. That truth leaves my heart strangely warmed.
snowghoul
blakekathryn
theartofmadeline
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