"Take a stand for what you know is right. Then the world will see...Christ lives in you and me." That song really says it all for this. "Pride Sunday." Most of us will be going forth in a little while to march or watch...to cheer or greet others...yes, as gays and lesbians - or however we might be self-defined...but even more so as people who profess to know Jesus Christ. But...will those we encounter be convinced of that? People have an amazing ability to sense phoniness...to smell their way past a facade of any kind. We can wear the T-shirts, hand out the pamphlets, stand by the booth...but that won't introduce anyone to Christ..,unless we take Christ there with us...inside of us.
Last week when Lorraine and I were in Florida, we were able to take one day and go do one of our favorite things, which we'd done many times before: visit Disney World. Despite the high costs, massive crowds and ridiculously long lines, there sjust something about being at Disney that's unique and fun for us. I think it has a lot to do with the whole "Disney" philosophy.
All of the employees at Disney parks are dressed in different kinds of themed costumes...whether they're in "Adventure Land," with cool-looking safari costumes or in "Fantasy Land," with these really dorky-looking Swiss outfits, it all adds to the experience. And Disney employees are, supposedly, held to a very high standard of behavior, courtesy and service to the "guests" in their parks. Most do a good job of helping visitors to see "Disney" rather than them as hot, tired "employees." Occasionally, though, you'll run into a "cast member," as they're called, who just isn't very Disneyesque. It really stands out, for example, if a couple of workers outside "Space Mountain" are more involved in their conversation about last night's dates than they are in greeting and directing those in line. Then there are those who succumb to the monotony of their jobs and become the antithesis of what one expects from "Disney." I remember once, many years ago: I spent an hour and fifteen minutes in line for "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" listening to a young woman say, over and over as she loaded people into the moving vehicles for the ride...with no expression on her face or in her voice..."Wait a minute...O.K., go ahead." Yikes! Very un-Disney!
Now if people can be that sensitive to a lack of conviction among the employees of a money-grubbing corporate entity like Disney, how much more sensitive will people be to those whom they expect to come bearing God within them?
The Gospel reading we heard this morning is one that is normally read on Palm Sunday...about Jesus' triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. Yet it seems very appropriate for today. That was a day of great pride...yet it was also a day of humility, too. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was greeted, not by local officials or dignitaries, but by ordinary people. And when those ordinary people recognized and cheered the presence of God among them, it was a moment of opportunity -- a kind of spiritual turning point. It was so powerful for thc people gathered there, in fact, that when the religious fundamentalists began objecting to the shouting crowds, Jesus said, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the very stones would cry out!"
Think about the first person who told you that God loves you just as you are. Think of the first time you walked into a Metropolitan Community Church and saw gay and lesbian Christians worshiping together. Like those crowds along the road into Jerusalem, surely if you had not laughed or shouted or cried with joy, the church walls would have screamed out!
That's why Metropolitan Community Churches always get extra applause and shouts in "Pride" parades. If the people didn't respond, surely the very pavement beneath us would shout out in praise to God for the lives that have been and will be touched as we bring Christ to the people!
That's why, as we go forth today, wearing our church T-shirts, walking in the parade, working at our booth, just enjoying the day and interacting with others, we need to know that we are not just "representing" M,C.C, -- we have the chance to re-present God to people all around us. The way that we behave and interact with others - the way we treat each other and ourselves today - can be like bringing living water to folks who are dying of thirst...like living bread for those who hunger for meaning in their lives...resurrection for those who have been cast off..shut out...turned away...and written off by others who claimed to "represent" God.
We must be aware that people will see us...they will watch and they will be affected by whatever we say and do. Will we come across as corporate employees going, half-heartedly, through the motions of faith...adding to the cynicism and sorrow of a people already wounded by religious "representatives"? Or will our energy and enthusiasm...our graciousness and our healthy behavior..."re-present" God in such a positive light that the pavement beneath our feet will seem to shout in joy? This is our chance to be something real...to do something powerful...to take a stand that we are re-presenting God in a new and wonderful way as we manifest, communicate and celebrate God's surpassing love found in Jesus Christ! Amen.
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