Wednesday, November 7

When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place. He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house." And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.  Matthew 13:53-58

Many, many queer folk know all about awkward homecomings. Doesn’t matter what you’ve accomplished, how happy you are, how much you’re making the world a better place, there’s always the fear that one’s identity determines other people’s response. It’s not just a queer problem, straight people can face it too, but it is a queer problem. People, especially the people who know you best, are always ready to find that one thing about you, put you in that box, and wrap a nice, tight bow around it.

The story begins with the hometown folks’ amazement. They recognize impressive things in Jesus, wisdom and power. No ordinary compliments, these. Yet it’s precisely his wisdom and power that elicit the odd reaction. “We know who he is; he can’t be like this!” And, Matthew says, they found him offensive.

Maybe it’s not surprising that so many queer folk find home a forbidding place. What’s most maddening, however, is that the most sacred things they bring – the wisdom and power bestowed upon them by God – these are the things in which people take offense. Wisdom and power don’t come from fags and dykes, do they? They can’t, can they? For many, queer folk are more offensive when they demonstrate their gifts than when they just keep to themselves. “And Jesus could not perform many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.”

My prayer:
Holy One of Israel, God of Jesus Christ, we boldly claim the wisdom and power with which you grace us. Open up for us the hearts of those near to us, that we and they might share wisdom and power with one another. Transform us all, so that we and they may wonder together. Let no one say that your mighty deeds are absent, due to unbelief. Amen...

Greg Carey