Dear Editor,
I sometimes sit and wonder what our world has come to and if we truly are in the year 2015. We live in one of the most progressive countries in the world and yet in so many ways lose grasp of our human journey. Violence, prejudice and hatred seem to mar the American way of life, the melting pot of all nations.
We seem to not want anyone to be different than us, wealthier than us, or better than us. We seek to destroy rather than build. We forget that our human journey need be spiritual as well as human. Kindness and compassion have fallen long the wayside.
We believe everyone should be like us in belief, lifestyle, faith and understanding. Fortunately, it is the diversity of human kind that has created what is still a beautiful world in which to live, despite all the negativity that flows so abundantly in our world.
I recently became aware of a situation in which a young woman was denied the Sacraments at her mother’s funeral Mass. The Priest had discovered she was in a same sex relationship and informed her that because of her lifestyle she was not welcome to receive the Sacraments.
You have to be kidding me! First and foremost, such an interest in a consenting adult’s sex life seems a bit bazaar and weird and should be in the Chapter entitled “None of Your Business”.
Secondly, should any human being, in any status of life, stand between another human being and their love of God, especially denying them the Sacraments through judgment, when they don’t even know them? I don’t understand why anyone, in their lifetime, would be denied the sacred elements of Jesus Christ through Holy Communion. Jesus Christ denied no one.
The woman abided by the Priest’s wishes and did not receive Communion as requested minutes before her mother’s funeral mass. She honored her mother’s devotion, as a mother and a Christian.
Over the years the young woman has gained in so many ways, she has found love in our world through a long term relationship, and has proven the Christian virtue taught to her from her mother and the church she has loved every day of her life, even though that very church has lashed out against her. She has found the spirit of God that dwells in her. The church continues to say it is all embracing. Really?
Then again, he advised a family that if there were any gay family members, or friends of the family, that they were not worthy to receive the sacraments at the funeral for their elderly mother and to a devoted member of the church.
In another church, a local Episcopal church in Ithaca, a woman Priest denied a family a church funeral for their loved one because he was not active at the present time in the church. They were also denied the Pastor of their choice to participate because the Priest would not allow it. Fortunately, the embracing love of the local Methodist church accepted the family for the funeral with the Pastor of their choice, a true Christian act.
Is it any wonder why church attendance is diminishing in our present world? To inflict further grief and pain on people in mourning seems so against Biblical scripture for us Christians to take care of widows and orphans. It appears to me there is no greater act of prejudice and judgment that could be bestowed on anyone than to deny them their journey in faith because of the judgmental, discriminatory and prejudicial acts of someone who is supposed to represent the ways of Jesus Christ to a Christian.
In recent weeks the newly elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, a black man, shared the story that his mother, a black woman, was able to share the common cup at Holy Communion in an all-white parish. His father was so impressed that he returned to the church and his faith, a true example of unconditional love for all people.
I am tired of the rhetoric and quotes from Holy Scripture, which was written for all people to know and share to their own understanding. Most of the quotes are from the Old Testament, but the “Good News” is that Jesus brought us a New Testament and an example of love that has brought new hope to our world.
I pray the church will someday be inclusive to all people in need, regardless of where their life has taken them. I hope that the church will open its heart and its doors to those it has injured and continues to do so. The opportunity to be a Christian is offered to us on a daily basis, and I hope they will grasp the opportunity.
I pray that we may all drink from the same cup as was originally intended. History has tried separating fountains for thirst of knowledge as well as physical need and that has simply perpetuated prejudice, hatred and violence.
‘Let us come together and love one another – right now.’
Respectfully,
Phil Jordan
Candor, N.Y. 13743
