Welcoming the Unwelcome

 

Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV)

³⁶ When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. ³⁸ As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.

Devotion:

            First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.

            We will use Luke chapter seven as an aid to interpreting the events that occurred last Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. On that day, a large group of mourners (1000+) turned out for a funeral mass for Cecilia Gentili at the cathedral. There is nothing so controversial or unusual about the facts of this story so far. Here comes the controversy.

            Cecilia was an atheist transgender activist who worked among the HIV/AIDS patients as well as having a ministry to the sex workers of the city. Her efforts to bring comfort and compassion were well-known in the community. However, the church (unsurprisingly) knew little of Cecilia’s efforts to meet these people where they lived.

            Here is where our verses from Luke begin to inform a possible Christian reading of the story. Those familiar with Israel's culture and customs in the first century will realize the true scandal of what has happened so far in this scripture. Jewish women could never approach a table where men were eating. Also, having their hair down as it must have been to wipe Jesus’ feet was culturally considered an invitation to intimate relations. No wonder the Pharisees were upset! Jesus' response in the narrative that follows is instructive (Luke 7:39, 44-48 NIV)

^"39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁴ Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

            Cecilia could have been that woman. Although Cecilia was an avowed atheist, Cecelia had been attending NA meetings and was becoming receptive to the idea of a higher power, according to friends. Cecelia also starred in a one-woman show about her early (mis)adventures with religion and Cecelia’s search for God. In any event, the church should be willing and eager to provide comfort and a warm embrace to this child of God.

            The friends and family were able to get a full mass said at New York’s flagship cathedral by either omitting or misrepresenting Cecilia’s faith and transgender identity. This shows that despite all the talk of pride in the community, there is a particular need for subterfuge and hiding one's identity to gain full acceptance and love in the church.

            Cecilia’s friends and family should have announced Cecilia’s identity to the church authorities and let them decide whether to host the service or not. If St. Patrick’s had refused the service, I am confident that another church venue could have been found among the more progressive congregations of New York.

            I realize that as a white, cisgender, heterosexual, evangelical Christian male. I may not be a likely ally to someone like Cecilia, but I do sincerely hope God was able to rescue this child of His, this daughter of Eve. We live in a crazy, mixed-up world. (For those who would like more on the topic of trans-ideology, especially as it relates to young children, please see my blog posts at www.lovingjesusstyle.blogspot.com. Then search blog for transgender) Let us pray for sanity:

Prayer:

            Lord, you rule this universe. You constantly bring new and different people into our lives that You expect us to love. We pray for eternal rest for Cecilia and all her trans brothers and sisters. Show them your love through the church, no matter how uncomfortable we may feel. Lord, restore sanity and wholeness to your creation. May we be found forgiving and loving those who are not at all like us. But are nevertheless children of the same God as us. Amen.