Gender, Sex, and Jesus' Love [Easter 5B]
The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Acts 8:26-40 Gender, sex, and Jesus' love If it seems we have been talking about gender and sexuality in the Church forever, it's probably because we have. In the past few decades, we've focused most of our energy on the sacraments of ordination and marriage. We have talked about the ordination of gays and lesbians; we have talked about the blessing of same-sex relationships and the nature of marriage. Occasionally, we do the conversations well; sometimes we actually dialogue – even disagree – about the complexity of human sexuality in a Christian spirit of generosity, respect, and reconciliation. More often we do it poorly – disregarding our baptismal vows to love our neighbors as ourselves and to respect the dignity of every human being – leaving the body of Christ fractured. But difficult conversations are nothing new to the church. Since the very birth of our religion, Christians have disagreed...