The Eyes Of Christ
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I think most Christians would agree that the topic of homosexuality has been one of the most divisive issues facing Christian Churches over the last several years. Now it appears that transgenderism has become the hot, divisive topic. I feel compelled, albeit, with much trepidation, to step into these turbulent waters, hoping beyond hope to offer an opportunity for consensus and Christian unity.
Let me state clearly, that what I have written here comes from my heart. I am not naïve enough to assume I could write something that would change someone’s firmly held beliefs regarding these two issues. It is okay to have strongly held beliefs on these important issues. I do. But I firmly believe we can express our views in a calmer, less hurtful, more Christ-like manner. It is not my intent to add to the existing division. I pray my words won’t hurt someone or be misconstrued. I am simply attempting to bring a loving, caring, compassionate, Christ-like, and thought-provoking tone to this normally controversial and quarrelsome sociological divide.
In Matthew 9:35-36 it is written, “Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Pity is properly defined as “the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.” When Jesus looks upon the deep fractures within His Church over these two topics, I believe His heart is once again filled with pity. Jesus always has love in His eyes when He looks at His Church, but I have to wonder if His heart is filled with sorrow when He sees the wounds Christians are inflicting on other Christians.
We all remember the popular letters W.W.J.D. from the 1990s campaign. These letters, as you know, stand for the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” Emulating Jesus has always been the gold standard for Christians. Jesus looked upon the people He met with love and compassion. His words spoke healing and peace to hurting and wounded people. As Christians, we are called to live, act, and speak with the heart of Jesus. We should ask ourselves this question: when I am in a conversation with either those I agree with, or those I disagree with, on the topics of homosexuality and transgenderism, do my words convey Christ-like compassion or do they further inflame the divide?
For many people these topics are merely talking points to discuss and/or argue about. We can’t lose sight of the people who are actually living out these issues in their personal lives. Their lives are often filled with much pain!
As to the issue of homosexuality, the number of Christian men and women who are same sex attracted is not negligible. For most of these individuals, their sexual orientation is a lifelong struggle. This is especially true if they desire to live by Biblical principles.
From a gender perspective, sex assignment at birth usually aligns with a baby’s anatomical sex. However, studies do show that around .02% of babies are born with ambiguous genitals. Intersex people, as they are now called, often face stigmatization and discrimination from birth.
Separate and apart from intersex birth is the issue of gender dysphoria. According to one manual on mental health disorders, gender dysphoria accounts for between .005% and .014% of the population for biological males. The percentage is slightly lower for biological females. According to a recent Pew Research survey 1.6% of U.S. adults identify as transgender or nonbinary. In other words, their identified gender differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. A recent scientific study revealed an increased rate of self-injury and suicide among transgender persons both before and after transition and sex reassignment surgery. It would be an understatement to simply say that life is a trial for these people. Sadly, transgender and gender dysphoric people have, for a long time, been misunderstood and mistreated.
Underlying these two explosive topics, we must understand that there are political agendas at work. This is true for both sides of the aisle. Certainly, there are good and caring Christians in both parties. Do we have to agree on everything? No, certainly not! Both sides of the political chasm can strongly advocate for their respective beliefs and still treat those with opposing views with a Christ-like heart. When advocating for our political positions, let’s never forget that there are real people dealing with real issues and words can cut like a knife.
When it comes to these topics there is rarely a genuine dialog taking place. More often it is a vitriolic diatribe. People are not exchanging ideas, they are shouting at and talking past each other. This reminds me of the lyrics from the song, The Sound of Silence. It seems everyone is talking without speaking and hearing without listening. The words from both sides of the divide are falling like raindrops into a well of silence.
Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. With these two topics, it’s not enemy verses enemy, it is Christian verses Christian. Where is the love of Jesus? Our country and world as a whole are polarized by politics. And when it comes to these issues, Christians seem to see these issues through their respective political eyes rather than through eyes of Jesus.
Jesus commissioned His followers to go out to heal the sick, the lepers, and the possessed. He wanted His followers to have non-judgmental eyes of empathy. He wanted His followers to make the world better. He certainly did not want His followers to bring pain into the world. He wanted us to see the world with His eyes! Rather than merely talking about or taking a side on these issues, I wonder how many of us have attempted to listen to, walk beside, and care for someone struggling with same sex attraction or gender dysphoria? WWJD?
In John chapter 17, Jesus prayed that we would be one, as He and the Father are one. Division within the Church grieves God. Can we as Christians, work together with a spirit of unity to bring Christ-like love, empathy, charity, and civility to these discussions? If we try to see the world with Christ-like eyes, we will make this world a better place for all.
Heavenly Father, Jesus told us in John 13:35 “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Father, I want to be a good disciple. Help me to always speak with words of love! Amen!
AMDG
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Brian,
I echo what many have already said in their comments to you. This is a very sensitive subject and one that I find very troubling, especially as it pertains to the transgender community pushing their agenda on our youth. I do pray for these souls and try to remain Christlike in my approach to their situation. Thank you for your very thoughtful discussion on this topic as you always bring a Christ centered commentary to these issues that we all struggle with on our path to holiness. Please know you are always in my prayers. God bless you my friend.
Paul
Thank you for your post. I appreciate your comments. Thank you for your prayers. May God’s blessings be with you!
Brian
Brian
Such an important message delivered delivered so honestly. We know well we will be judged by our Eternal Father according to the measure by which we judge others. You have prayerfully and carefully revealed the guidelines to see each of us as Jesus sees us.
Mary Beth
Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts in your post. I loved reading your comments.
Brian
Hi Brian,
God bless your courage in speaking on this issue. I believe that we can all treat each other more compassionately and lovingly. Though I do not pretend to know what others are suffering, it is my Christian obligation to be compassionate and heal suffering when I can. Politicizing the issue is not compassionate. It is hurtful. I notice that most people are much more dogmatic and unforgiving on these issues when they have not really encountered homosexuality or transgenderism in people that are close to them. It is so much easier to be loving when people we care about are involved. May God give me the grace to care about all who are suffering.
Jim
Thank yo for your post. I always appreciate your perspective.
Brian
Brian, I totally agree we all need to be more Christlike in our disagreements no matter what the topic is. Jesus is the servant leader for all Christians. And as far as the non-Christians we may disagree with, I pray that the Holy Spirit help all Christians to convert them by example in our words and actions. God bless you Brian and all of us who do try daily to be Christian disciples!
Thank you Brian, very helpful and thoughtful commentary.
JESUS teaches in Matthew 7: 1
“Judge not that you be not judged “
7:13 “ enter by the narrow gate ; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Genesis 3: 1 “ now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the Lord GOD had made “
Mark 6:11 “ and if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them “
John 8: 7 “ let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her”
John 8: 10 “ JESUS looked up and said to her, “ woman, where are they has no one condemned you?” She said no one, Lord. And JESUS said
“ neither do I condemn you; go; and do not sin again”
I try and read from the Bible daily and the HOLY SPIRIT leads me to verses and chapters that guide my thoughts and actions.
I try not to judge others, I confess my faith and love of JESUS with action and words,but when people reject the gospel I do not engage in arguments, the serpent is wiser than I and wants to entrap me. It’s my opinion that many good Catholics are falling into the trap of judging and engaging with evil and it is leading them from the narrow gate.
Pray pray pray and then pray with fasting and alms giving. Read the Bible.
I am a sinner and pray for the grace of GOD, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT the chaplet of Divine Mercy is a great source of strength as well as and foremost the Rosary of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
Good luck GOD BLESS
Amen!
Thanks for your post.
Brian
This is a good letter that encourages us to react in a way that keeps us in the grace of God.
There are though, some things that are happening now, that we, as Christians need to be aware of.
One: There is a social contagion about transgenderism, that to be honest, is causing children to be mutilated through surgery before they are mature adults.
Two: We need to be careful of how we use our language. For example, gender is not “assigned” at birth. Gender is “observed” at birth. Some want us to use “assigned” in order to co-opt the reality that God created a male and a female.
Three: There is a difference from being “kind” and being “nice”. Being “nice” can indirectly seem like condoning what we, as Christians, don’t ascribe to. This causes vulnerable children to be confused on the transgender ideology before they are mature enough to decide for themselves.
Jesus was indeed “kind”, but above all He was truthful. Remember when Jesus was in front of Pontius Pilate and said He was there to bring the truth. And what did Pilate say…..
“What is truth”. Things haven’t changes much from 2000 years ago.
Paul
Thanks for your thought provoking post. There is one thing that I did not put in my message that is something you refer to in your post and that is TRUTH. Jesus always and only spoke truth. There is only one truth. But here is where the problem/division that I was addressing in today’s message comes in to play. When various Christian churches or even factions within those churches address these issues, everyone is convinced they have “truth” on their side of the debate. As a result the rhetoric ratchets up, with both side believing that God is on “their” side. Truth does not come is various flavors. As I said there is only one truth. So my hope is that Christians on both sides of the debate, can look at the Christians on the other side of the debate and see them as good and caring Christians “trying their best” to seek out God’s truth and live by God’s will. If they are in fact seeking God’s truth but yet coming to a conclusion and seeing the truth differently than you, then while strongly advocating for your understanding of truth, these people should still be respected and treated in a Christlike fashion. The bottom line of today’s message was to treat others with dignity and respect, regardless of their views. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 states, “When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Brian
This is a difficult subject indeed but you presented it very well. And all you say is true. We all need to remember that we are all a child of God and created in His image and pray for those who are confused about who they are.
And Patricia is correct why do we not hear these things from the pulpit. Are they so afraid of offending someone that they are not addressing these issues same on the subject of abortion.
The church needs these lessons from our priests.
Thank you Brian for having the courage to speak up.
Mary Lou
Thanks for your post. I think it is hard for priests and/or ministers to discuss these topics during church with their entire congregation because there are small children present. Nonetheless, if they don’t do it there, the correct message is never heard. I try to discuss these difficult issues at the various retreats I put on. The priests and ministers always welcoming me talking about the difficult issues, because they know their people need to hear the message.
Brian
We are called to love everyone. But we are also called to judge ill behaviour for the sake of that soul. There is no sin in being a homosexual. It is being sexually active outside of marriage that causes a problem. That goes for heterosexuals as well. The teaching from the pulpit in this area is sadly lacking. Why is that? It is more than clear in the scriptures that fornication is wrong and sinful. Is it kind and loving to leave a person on a path that takes them away from God? Why is chastity not talked about from the pulpit? Jesus loved the sinner in scripture, but He DID say to go and sin no more. My heart goes out to these people, truly! And I pray for them daily. I believe the devil is lurking around every corner these days and he isn’t being recognized. But he is creating havoc and division in everything we think of as being Sacred – our faith, our families for instance. It seems no one is teaching morals these days. It certainly is an up stream battle being Christian in today’s world!
Patricia
Thank you for your post. You bring up some great points. You properly point out that ALL people, whether same sex attracted, opposite sex attracted, married or single are called to the virtue of chastity. It is a virtue that most Christians struggle to achieve throughout life. You are also correct in pointing out that as Christians we are called to help others by admonishing their behavior if it is leading them away from the Kingdom of God. The difficulty for most Christians is knowing how to carry out the difficult balance between proper admonishment, and having the heart, mind, and eyes of Christ. Too often our well intentioned admonishment is spoken with harsh, hurtful words that don’t come from Christ. We must always remember that the purpose of admonishment is to direct someone to Christ not push them away. When done properly, it will have its proper effect. Finally, you are right about the devil lurking around every corner. He is the author of division. He must be delighted when he looks upon the division within the church. The good news is that we know Jesus triumphs in the end. Until then we should pray without ceasing, immerse ourselves in Scripture, and endure in our faith until the end.
Brian