+ As you know from last Sunday's homily – whose theme was preached in all the parishes of the Diocese of Portland – the Church of Portland is now in the forefront, in the state of Maine, of an initiative to preserve marriage and family life as God authored it and intended it. But at the same time, and this most likely did not come across clearly at all, for the most part, the Church is also acutely aware of the plight of those proposing the referendum question on the ballot. And the reason that it is so acutely aware is that there are a great many of our own Catholic members who find themselves in the minority grouping of those who happen to have a different variety of sexual attraction than most others. The Church, that means you and me, must always come across as truly understanding, and caring and more than just sympathetic to the plight – we must be willing to actively help such persons find their rightful, true and welcomed place within the Church – within our gatherings – within our hearts.
The first reading today talks about those who do not agree with sound words of the Lord Jesus Christ on religious teaching – that they are conceited, understanding nothing, and have a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. Do not, my brothers and sisters, automatically conclude that these words are directed against those supporting the Church's stance against proposition one on the ballot. Perhaps they apply more to those well-intentioned but narrow-minded individuals who think they are the side of the Church who apparently even moreso do not agree with Jesus own words about compassion, and mercy, and understanding and willingness to help those in need.
There are sound words of Jesus to be found on both sides of this issue. Therefore, the best way to deal with it – is to let God deal with it, through us! He will help us figure it all out! And we can do this as St. Paul tells Timothy today, by pursuing (true) righteousness (the non-judgmental kind), pursuing devotion to God, pursuing faith, love, patience and gentleness. Standing for God's definition of marriage; and defending the true rights of our gay brothers and sisters in Christ is an outstanding way to demonstrate and to compete for the faith! And in this way we will be laying hold of eternal life – and we will be given credit for having made a noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
The gospel passage is about the many that followed and supported Jesus – many of whom were women. Maybe some of them had gay children. While Jesus would not condone all of their actions, he would embrace the children as he embraced all children – and simply loved them – and would suggest to them ways to live out their own special vocation as chaste single persons.
There is a way for all of this to work out – the Holy Spirit will show us that way!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
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