17th Sunday In Ordinary Time, July 24, 2016

Written by Fr. Fitz Thursday, 21 July 2016 15:45

Mike Pence's Journey

Potential Vice Presdent Mike Pence:

has had a spiritual journey from a Catholic family and upbringing to becoming a devout Protestant Evnagelical. Very sincere and forthright in his strong beliefs.

(All of his family remain practicing Catholics, strong in their beliefs.)

As a result Pence has taken strong fundamentalist positions on political issues related to religion.

One issue being homosexuality.

Examples:

Last year he signed a religious freedom law which LGBT members claimed discriminated against them. After criticism from the business community he signed an amendment which afforded protections.

He has said that Gay couples, "signaled a societal collapse."

He also claimed that being gay was a"choice."

He opposed a law which would prohibit discrimination against gays in the workplace.

So what has all this got to do with today's Scriptures?

Quite a bit.

The First Reading today is the ancient story from Genesis about the destruction of Sodom and

Gommorah!

And what was the sin committed in Sodom and Gomorrah?

Homosexuality?

This is so according to Evangelical Protestants and will be preached about in most Protestant Evengelical churches this Sunday.

 But is this really so? Other Scripture scholars would say "No."

They would claim that the Sodom Story found in today's reading is really about the gang rape of two outsiders, a violent act and a disgrace to ancient hospitality, and says nothing about loving homosexual relationships.

Google: "SODOM-WOULD JESUS DISCRIMINATE?"

FOR AN ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE SUBJECT.

And to quote Pope Francis "Who am to judge?"

Which brings us to today's Gospel.

Notice the Prayer Jesus gave us is not "My Father who art in heaven..." but rather 'OUR FATHER....

It is not for us to exclude any person or any group from the Father's love.

It is a love that is all embracing.

And we are told in today's Gospel: "How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him..."

In these turbulent times we all need to ask for the Holy Spirit to help us sift truth from error, acceptance from dscrimination,

love from hatred. 

And so we pray:

OUR Father,

deliver us from evil.

Help us with you Holy Spirit to discern

a path that leads to justice and loving community,

and that transcends political divisions.

Amen