Response to same sex unions: Daily Mass Homily--Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

           Today we hear the famous account of fire from heaven raining down on the wicked men of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Among others, these men sinned through inhospitality and same-sex sexual relations.  Christians have come under fire (no pun intended) by Fundamentalists who interpret this to show what should happen to gay people in our country.

            As Catholics, we must look at such texts responsibly.  We need to remember that many sins resulted in death under the Old Law—adultery, theft, taking the Lord’s name in vain and working on the Sabbath to name a few.  Such harsh punishment may not make sense to us today, but that is because we enjoy a fuller revelation of God from Jesus Christ’s teaching.  Christ highlights God’s love and mercy and the continual opportunity we have to receive forgiveness by repenting of our sins.

            While we shouldn’t judge those who sin in sexual ways, we shouldn’t be afraid to call sin itself a sin.  The scriptures make clear that sexual relationships outside of marriage are always sinful, especially when they go against nature (e.g. same sex relations, bestiality, incest, etc.).  Our culture glamorizes all sorts of sexual sin, but we ought to be formed by God, not the current culture.

            Same-sex unions are a focal point of modern debate.  Just a few months after nearly passing an amendment that would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman in our civil law, same-sex unions are now legal in Minnesota.  Proposition Eight was overturned by the Supreme Court, once more allowing same-sex unions in the state of California.

            Many faithful Catholics and Christians are freaking out about the amorality of our society.  Observing the winds and waves of relativism, secularism and radical autonomy, I have heard many men and women cry out, “Lord, save us!  We are perishing!”  We must not forget, as the disciples did, that Jesus is in our boat.  He is telling us, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

            While we face persecution for living according to the truth, we are not yet being arrested, publicly flogged, tortured or executed like many before and many around the globe now.  Yet even if we are, we shouldn’t respond with a “Woe is me!” or “To hell with our society!” attitude.  The saints and martyrs approached such dire situations with joy and gratitude to God and prayers for forgiveness for perpetrators of hatred.  That is how we must respond.

            Opportunities of suffering give us potent chances to proclaim the truth, love and mercy of God.  We are called to stand up for truth in love remembering that Jesus Christ, is with us every step of the way.  So, too, are the saints, martyrs and angels as they encourage us to give all we have in affirming our faith.