Russellings of the Spirit

Today – because of last Friday’s

The front of the US Supreme Court in Washington,

Supreme Court decision – marriage equality is the law of the land in the U.S. From sea to sea. From north to south. In every corner of every state.

And although the church and its commandments are necessarily not identical to the commandments that legally bind our country, it is my firm conviction that this ruling deserves to be celebrated by people of faith everywhere.

I also know that there are many faithfully believing people who disagree with this ruling. In support of their disagreement they point to Bible passages such as Genesis 1:28, 2:18, 2:24, 9:1, Deuteronomy 7:3, Matthew 19:4-6, and many others as validation of God’s explicit direction that marriage is meant ONLY to sanctify the relationship of one man and one woman. They will zero in particularly on Genesis 1:28 with its injunction to “… be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…” and – quite rightly – point out that couples of the same gender cannot possibly fulfill this requirement.

They also point to several other passages of scripture that condemn the practice of homosexuality in general.

I take the Bible seriously and submit to it as ultimately authoritative in my life. But I also believe that the content of these arguments misses a larger, more basic, and ultimately more important point, which is: access to the power of sacred covenant.

Here is what I mean: Love between members of the same gender (filios, eros, and agape love) has existed since people have existed. It will exist forever. I am persuaded in this direction both by the science that posits a hard-wired, genetic source for this love and also by virtue of having come to know many LGBT people on a personal basis.

Legal and clerical opposition to same sex relationships will not make those relationships go away. It will only succeed in demonizing those persons, painting targets of hatred on their backs, and galvanizing their resolve to find acceptance.

I believe that what we are really saying when we tell a gay couple that they may not marry is, “We don’t like the way you define love, and so the way we are going to respond to your definition is by denying you access to the ability to institute a sacred covenant with the person you say you love.”

We are – in essence – saying, “Go ahead and love each other if you must. Share a house or an apartment if that’s what you choose. Open a joint checking account and share every part of your lives you wish to, but don’t you DARE expect to cement that relationship by means of a sacred covenant! We don’t like it and we won’t allow it!”

So yes… when the church speaks out in opposition to same sex marriage, it is really speaking out in opposition to allowing access to the power of sacred covenant for a particular class of people.

When I officiate at the wedding of a man and woman – and because I am a United Methodist pastor, those are the ONLY weddings at which I am permitted to officiate – I make a big deal of the power of sacred covenant. I commend the couple – many of whom have already been living together for a time – for recognizing the importance of exchanging timeless vows in the presence of God as a way of deepening and strengthening their commitment… to one another AND to God. And I mean every word of what I say.

The story of God throughout scripture is the story of covenant-making. God made a covenant with Abraham and his ancestors. God’s covenant with Moses and the children of Israel went before them through 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus, on the last night of his earthly life, extended and widened access to the binding power of covenant between God and humanity… regardless of who they are.

In the Old Testament section of the Bible, the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy make very clear statements condemning the practice of homosexuality. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is equally clear and unequivocal on the subject. But as I look to the words of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for insight and a way forward, I find only this: his statement summarizing the essence of ALL of the laws and the prophets found in Mark 12:31 which says, “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

And so yes, I celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision. I celebrate it as an affirmation of love, equality, and of the enduring value of sacred covenant. But as I celebrate I also pray for the denomination I love and its ability to resolve our historic impasse on this issue.

AMEN.