Written by Sister Jan Kilian, this blog will give an understanding of what it’s like to be Franciscan. Living out the spirit of Saint Francis, we see all God’s creation as brother and sister. We, Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, are committed to building relationships and community, ministering wherever there is greatest need, promoting justice and healing Mother Earth’s wounds. My writings will give a glimpse of the compassion, spirituality, interconnectedness and goodness of living Franciscan.

Monday, January 26, 2009

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

by Sister Carolyn Law, OSF


Recently I viewed the full-length documentary movie “For The Bible Tells Me So”. I had seen it once before, but the second time it was even more powerful and moving. I’d highly recommend it.

Here is a synopsis taken from the movie’s web site:
“Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding
to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.”

This movie is very well done, is educational, and at times funny.

Another resource on this subject is the book “Faith Beyond Resentment” by James Allison, an openly gay theologian. In his book he lays out a basis of overcoming resentment toward authority figures and institutions that seem to be in the way of progress. In doing so, he seems very Franciscan. For example, he challenges us to see everyone as our brother and sister. He cites the Gospel verse “Call no one father” to mean that even our biological fathers and mothers are brothers and sisters. In being equal to them, and to other authority figures, we need not be afraid or threatened. We are all children of God.

While the institutional Catholic Church hasn’t done so well responding to issues of orientation and incorporating new understandings about sexuality, I am mindful that Gospel calls us to be loving, open and ever more inclusive of all peoples. We are all God’s children. Francis who embraced the lepers as brothers and sister, who loved the tiniest and oddest of creatures (worms), and who traveled to lovingly preach to the Sultan, prime leader of the Moslem people, is a great example for us to follow.

Sexual orientation can be a controversial subject. What are your thoughts?

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