In your “Inspiration” section 1/22, I missed having the title of Angelou’s poem “Touched by an angel” included. Hope you’ll include it next time. Especially powerful in the context of Budde’s sermon and your post. Thanks so much for your voice, especially in this instance, in these times. Blessings!
I’ve listened to Bishop Mariann’s sermon a couple of times now. I know her to be a thoughtful, prophetic servant of God and she is courageous. We will need to be courageous ourselves for the foreseeable future. Blessings
Re-wound to the beginning to listen like you said. She sounds like a female prophet speaking truth to one of the many kings in the Old Testament. I imagine this “king” like the other kings will surround themselves with prophets who prophecy what they want to hear. Not what they need to hear. We all needed to be reminded of who Jesus calls us to love.
Thank you for giving us the link because like so many, I had only heard the last few sentences. It was an important message for us all and one we all need to take to heart.
I’ve read about this sermon and of course agree that understanding and inclusion are crucial if we’re not to be hypocrites. My worry is that LGBTQ activists banging on about their rights, actually take away the rights of ordinary people to single sex facilities and I don’t hold with that.
I can guarantee you that your worry about "single sex facilities" is misplaced.
As the daughter of a gay man and the mother of a gay child, I implore you not to say things like "LGBTQ activists banging on about their rights." That seems to me pretty demeaning. Also, are you contrasting LGBTQ people with "ordinary" people? Can you see that you've "othered" your gay and lesbian neighbors? Most gay and lesbian folks in my circles are pretty darn ordinary -- some even dull (lol to my LGBTQ friends).
The point of the movement toward LGBTQ rights is to ensure that all people are treated with dignity, respect, are seen as equals under the law, and participate in the American hope for life, liberty, and happiness.
We should all be "banging on" about the rights of every person -- especially those who have been marginalized or cast out -- about the exact same things that women, people of color, and LGBTQ folks have so insistently reminded those who have been at the center of American culture and power.
Bang away! More rights. For everyone. It isn't a zero-sum game. It is about building beloved community.
You’re right Diana - I have not been watching/reading the news since the elections. Thank you for the link to the entire sermon by the good Bishop. I understand why the President and his supporters would refer to it as political (note: I just read one of the comments below stating that the President referred to it as such) because it is. You see, justice takes sides. Righteousness takes sides. God takes sides. God is on the side of unity based on dignity, truth and humility. So the President Trump and his supporters are right in their condemnation of the good Bishop. Bishop Budde delivered a powerful prophetic message that cut through the heart of the newly sworn in President.
I pray that the Bishop's message touch and convict all of us. She may have referred to it as a message on unity but I felt the genuine love and humility in which she delivered it. For in the end, isn't that what Jesus' life and message was all about?
Ironic that Trump referred to the Rev's homily as POLITICS. He is so far from TRUTH that he doesn't recognize it. Thank you, Rev Budde, for providing his nighttime struggles with Reality. And she has gotten much press coverage - from all spheres -- as a result. The viral Truth will reign.
Thank you once again, Diana, for guiding us. I listened to the entire sermon. It is too bad, though totally predictable, that the press would focus only on the last 3 minutes, not also on the plea for unity that realistically acknowledges and yet transcends disagreement and worse. It is already clear that the most important person to hear this is already objecting to it, calling names and behaving like the spoiled child he has gotten away with being for all of his life, demanding that all bow down to him and his agenda. Will anyone be surprised if threats follow?
However, having said that, let me focus not on only those in the current administration (I'm with the Rev. Berniece King, who suggests avoiding using a single name when we can speak of all those supporting an agenda), but on my own struggles with today’s challenges. Because though I'm doing okay in the honesty department of supporting unity, I'm definitely not doing okay in the dignity or humility departments (as the paragraph above may demonstrate?) And I'm wondering where to draw the line. When dealing with those who have declared every intention of damaging others (and have already acted in that capacity) in ways that include violating the law, and threats and violence against those who don't capitulate to demands, dignity is not what comes to mind immediately. More like scorn. Which, since I think I'm right (lack of humility or simply calling something what it is--wrong?), seems well deserved. I'm continually wondering how I can elevate my attitude without sliding into a spiritual bypass and caving into spiritual cowardice as I see many now caving into faux bipartisanship at the political level. So while writing to thank the Rev. Budde and to work as hard as I can to defeat the forces of oppression, cruelty and violence, I struggle with these questions. It's no use pretending that people aren't who they show you they are. Even Jesus Himself was not always "polite" about the misleading and the mislead. And He certainly wasn't delusional about what He or others stood for.
Thank you for sharing this sermon today, I am one has been avoiding media in general since last week. I briefly saw this three minute with a comment on something I thought I was safe on, so bypassed it. I adore Bishop Mariann, she's one of a kind and the best kind of truth teller there is. Yes, I was surprised WNC hosted the service, but perhaps they had their reasons too. I'm going to hold my water on his expectation of an apology from her. Rest assured it's a line of expletives that no one wants or needs to hear. But just wow, wasn't her sermon so succinct, pointed yet eloquent and she preached it in a calm, loving way. She's just so wonderful. Not to detract from her message though. Dig in, shine that light even if you don't see it, someone else will see it in you and keep those three things in mind.
This is the sort of statement that got Jesus killed in a week. May each of us be empowered to go out into the world and speak this same message. There is power in numbers. We need Americans to go forth as warriors of love and fight as peacefully as possible for our rights and our country. It will not be easy. I doubt if I will live long enough to see through to the ending we hope for. But we need never worry about God getting what God wants. Thank you so much for posting this. It is my own thoughts and hopes and dreams put into context in 15 minutes.
Watching it after the event in Aotearoa NZ, I found hope. This morning on my walk I encouraged a gentleman I was speaking with to look at it, suggesting he may find some hope. Not a 'church person', he was intrigued and went away to have a look. Unity is hard, just as forming community isn't easy. But important to try. Meanwhile the government in my country is anything but compassionate to the the disabled, unemployed, marginalised. Mercy isn't in their playbook either - unless to their wealthy friends.
Thank you, Diana, for sharing that. It really was wonderful to hear the whole message, to give the context. The whole sermon is indeed a much needed message for our troubled times.
Thank you Diana. I also just watched the initial last 3 minutes of the sermon yesterday but today listened to the whole sermon. I watched it on the National Cathedral channel on You Tube. It was refreshing and timely to hear Bishop Marianne Budde's courage to speak to the current moment honestly and in front of President Trump and his entourage no less. While the last 3 minutes were directed at Trump if you listen to the whole sermon it is for everyone to hear and ponder and gives encouragement for those of us who believe that there is a better way - one that is relational, thriving, and just - that that it is right to hope and work towards that end.
I am so thankful for the Bishop’s courage to speak TRUTH TO POWER. We all are scared for those who service us every day. What is wrong with these politicians? I live with hope that more religious leaders like the Bishop are called to action.
Cardinal Robert McElroy has just been installed as the Roman Catholic Archbishop in Washington, appointed by Pope Francis who continues to speak out endlessly about the need for immigrants to be treated with justice and kindness, so hopefully these two will be good spiritual companions to one another in the nation's capital.
In your “Inspiration” section 1/22, I missed having the title of Angelou’s poem “Touched by an angel” included. Hope you’ll include it next time. Especially powerful in the context of Budde’s sermon and your post. Thanks so much for your voice, especially in this instance, in these times. Blessings!
I’ve listened to Bishop Mariann’s sermon a couple of times now. I know her to be a thoughtful, prophetic servant of God and she is courageous. We will need to be courageous ourselves for the foreseeable future. Blessings
Re-wound to the beginning to listen like you said. She sounds like a female prophet speaking truth to one of the many kings in the Old Testament. I imagine this “king” like the other kings will surround themselves with prophets who prophecy what they want to hear. Not what they need to hear. We all needed to be reminded of who Jesus calls us to love.
Thank you for giving us the link because like so many, I had only heard the last few sentences. It was an important message for us all and one we all need to take to heart.
I’ve read about this sermon and of course agree that understanding and inclusion are crucial if we’re not to be hypocrites. My worry is that LGBTQ activists banging on about their rights, actually take away the rights of ordinary people to single sex facilities and I don’t hold with that.
I can guarantee you that your worry about "single sex facilities" is misplaced.
As the daughter of a gay man and the mother of a gay child, I implore you not to say things like "LGBTQ activists banging on about their rights." That seems to me pretty demeaning. Also, are you contrasting LGBTQ people with "ordinary" people? Can you see that you've "othered" your gay and lesbian neighbors? Most gay and lesbian folks in my circles are pretty darn ordinary -- some even dull (lol to my LGBTQ friends).
The point of the movement toward LGBTQ rights is to ensure that all people are treated with dignity, respect, are seen as equals under the law, and participate in the American hope for life, liberty, and happiness.
We should all be "banging on" about the rights of every person -- especially those who have been marginalized or cast out -- about the exact same things that women, people of color, and LGBTQ folks have so insistently reminded those who have been at the center of American culture and power.
Bang away! More rights. For everyone. It isn't a zero-sum game. It is about building beloved community.
Excellent reply to the comment. Thank you.
Thank you, Diana ❤️
You’re right Diana - I have not been watching/reading the news since the elections. Thank you for the link to the entire sermon by the good Bishop. I understand why the President and his supporters would refer to it as political (note: I just read one of the comments below stating that the President referred to it as such) because it is. You see, justice takes sides. Righteousness takes sides. God takes sides. God is on the side of unity based on dignity, truth and humility. So the President Trump and his supporters are right in their condemnation of the good Bishop. Bishop Budde delivered a powerful prophetic message that cut through the heart of the newly sworn in President.
I pray that the Bishop's message touch and convict all of us. She may have referred to it as a message on unity but I felt the genuine love and humility in which she delivered it. For in the end, isn't that what Jesus' life and message was all about?
Ironic that Trump referred to the Rev's homily as POLITICS. He is so far from TRUTH that he doesn't recognize it. Thank you, Rev Budde, for providing his nighttime struggles with Reality. And she has gotten much press coverage - from all spheres -- as a result. The viral Truth will reign.
Thank you once again, Diana, for guiding us. I listened to the entire sermon. It is too bad, though totally predictable, that the press would focus only on the last 3 minutes, not also on the plea for unity that realistically acknowledges and yet transcends disagreement and worse. It is already clear that the most important person to hear this is already objecting to it, calling names and behaving like the spoiled child he has gotten away with being for all of his life, demanding that all bow down to him and his agenda. Will anyone be surprised if threats follow?
However, having said that, let me focus not on only those in the current administration (I'm with the Rev. Berniece King, who suggests avoiding using a single name when we can speak of all those supporting an agenda), but on my own struggles with today’s challenges. Because though I'm doing okay in the honesty department of supporting unity, I'm definitely not doing okay in the dignity or humility departments (as the paragraph above may demonstrate?) And I'm wondering where to draw the line. When dealing with those who have declared every intention of damaging others (and have already acted in that capacity) in ways that include violating the law, and threats and violence against those who don't capitulate to demands, dignity is not what comes to mind immediately. More like scorn. Which, since I think I'm right (lack of humility or simply calling something what it is--wrong?), seems well deserved. I'm continually wondering how I can elevate my attitude without sliding into a spiritual bypass and caving into spiritual cowardice as I see many now caving into faux bipartisanship at the political level. So while writing to thank the Rev. Budde and to work as hard as I can to defeat the forces of oppression, cruelty and violence, I struggle with these questions. It's no use pretending that people aren't who they show you they are. Even Jesus Himself was not always "polite" about the misleading and the mislead. And He certainly wasn't delusional about what He or others stood for.
Thank you for sharing this sermon today, I am one has been avoiding media in general since last week. I briefly saw this three minute with a comment on something I thought I was safe on, so bypassed it. I adore Bishop Mariann, she's one of a kind and the best kind of truth teller there is. Yes, I was surprised WNC hosted the service, but perhaps they had their reasons too. I'm going to hold my water on his expectation of an apology from her. Rest assured it's a line of expletives that no one wants or needs to hear. But just wow, wasn't her sermon so succinct, pointed yet eloquent and she preached it in a calm, loving way. She's just so wonderful. Not to detract from her message though. Dig in, shine that light even if you don't see it, someone else will see it in you and keep those three things in mind.
Amen and Amen. See Luke 4 for a similar sermon and the peoples' reaction.
This is the sort of statement that got Jesus killed in a week. May each of us be empowered to go out into the world and speak this same message. There is power in numbers. We need Americans to go forth as warriors of love and fight as peacefully as possible for our rights and our country. It will not be easy. I doubt if I will live long enough to see through to the ending we hope for. But we need never worry about God getting what God wants. Thank you so much for posting this. It is my own thoughts and hopes and dreams put into context in 15 minutes.
Watching it after the event in Aotearoa NZ, I found hope. This morning on my walk I encouraged a gentleman I was speaking with to look at it, suggesting he may find some hope. Not a 'church person', he was intrigued and went away to have a look. Unity is hard, just as forming community isn't easy. But important to try. Meanwhile the government in my country is anything but compassionate to the the disabled, unemployed, marginalised. Mercy isn't in their playbook either - unless to their wealthy friends.
I love the project -A Million Sermons - count me in!
Thank you, Diana, for sharing that. It really was wonderful to hear the whole message, to give the context. The whole sermon is indeed a much needed message for our troubled times.
Thank you Diana. I also just watched the initial last 3 minutes of the sermon yesterday but today listened to the whole sermon. I watched it on the National Cathedral channel on You Tube. It was refreshing and timely to hear Bishop Marianne Budde's courage to speak to the current moment honestly and in front of President Trump and his entourage no less. While the last 3 minutes were directed at Trump if you listen to the whole sermon it is for everyone to hear and ponder and gives encouragement for those of us who believe that there is a better way - one that is relational, thriving, and just - that that it is right to hope and work towards that end.
I am so thankful for the Bishop’s courage to speak TRUTH TO POWER. We all are scared for those who service us every day. What is wrong with these politicians? I live with hope that more religious leaders like the Bishop are called to action.
Cardinal Robert McElroy has just been installed as the Roman Catholic Archbishop in Washington, appointed by Pope Francis who continues to speak out endlessly about the need for immigrants to be treated with justice and kindness, so hopefully these two will be good spiritual companions to one another in the nation's capital.