As I reflect on my own journey of justice and being witness as a Catholic, while also being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I notice that my “witnessing” is steeped in asking tough questions, having difficult conversations, holding myself and others accountable, and building community around me.
There’s a hundred different ways to deal with this, and that’s okay.
I have to be willing to stick around and have some hard conversations.
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
When the Paschal light of the Easter Vigil comes to illuminate your life, what will you see?
So, on this Good Friday, I remind myself that it was amongst the suffering where you radically changed me and it is in the streets where I will see you again.
The Mass is full of order and sanctity. It can almost feel stuffy at times. Having people expose their bare feet and have them washed is the complete opposite of formal. As a result, I absolutely love it.
We, much like Jesus towards the end, are what some would call a security threat. Ripping the fabric of Biblical interpretation simply by being a person. A gateway drug to the end of an era. A little life taking shape against the backdrop of fading commandments.
Too often we look to a vague, distant future when we talk about the end of marginalization and poverty, the inclusion of all in families and communities, and the installment of ways of living and being based on solidarity and love. The time to bring about this kingdom of God is now.
Growing up gay in the Catholic Church I knew I had to follow the rules. Until I realized they didn't actually work.