In Christ there is neither straight nor gay. (59, Marcus Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time)
This statement is an add-on to one of my favorite verses, which so happened to be a part of the lectionary the last time I preached: Galatians 3:23-29
Before faith came, we were under the constraint of the Law, locked in untl the faith that was coming would be revealed. In other words, the Law was our monitor until Christ came to bring about our justification through faith. But now that faith is here, we are no longer in the monitor’s charge. Each one of you is a child of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, if you belong to Christ, you are the offspring of Abraham, which means you inherit all that was promised.
We are all equal. This does not mean that we are all the same-we all have differences that need to be recognized and celebrated, but we are nonetheless all equal and deserve equal treatment.
We are all children of Godde. Knowing this within one's whole being has a transformative effect upon people, especially the downtrodden, which Howard Thurman writes about in his book, "Jesus and the Disinherited."(I heartily recommend this book!) In September, I am going to start classes in order to become certified in writing grants in order to help me obtain a job that would offer me more security. My mother suggested I take the courses and it took a little convincing, but I have been trying to listen to the Spirit and what I keep hearing over and over again is that I deserve it. As a child of Godde I deserve a better life, but not at the expense of anyone else. We are all equal and we all deserve a better life. I do not deserve anything that you do not deserve-no one is above or below me or you. So do not give people your power, but instead realize your power, your potential, for the betterment of all.