Is the Gospel Lesson relevant in our time.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."--Luke 21: 9-19

Is the Lessons written in the New Testament relevant and applicable for our time? As I was listening intently to these passages spoken as our Gospel Lesson, I could only come to one obvious conclusion as to how these words could be taken as an announcement of what our lbgt family has to endure. I was expecting the sermon to delving into it broad meaning and it was with great expectation to hear our Vicar’s thoughts about how groups of people are being arrested and persecuted for anyone living the ‘gay’ lifestyle. For being murdered and abused by those who choose to not understand and try to dictate their strict lifestyle upon all who are different.

I am still waiting for some insightfully inspired message that I could have used for the week to reflect and strengthen my resolve to stand up to the bullies and abusers. I keep waiting to hear a message inspired by love and compassion, a message that will cause our members to step forward and raise the banner to find Christ in others soul, not to bring our Christ to them. The Christ we know and believe in might be a differently conceived person of love, of charity, of hope of compassion, and that’s ok; as long we we can find similar “Christlike” traits in each of your conceptions of our Christ.

It doesn't matter if one is gay or straight or an agnostic, we must remain resolved to stand and face those who persecutes up and put our trust in our 'God' that he will indeed give us words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

Each persons religious belief system must be respected and given a chance to grow in his own way, on his own place of worship or place where they find peace.