Job 1:1-22; Acts 8:26-40; John 6:16-27 The first convert doesnt fit any of the neat categories we use to define the world. Hes not really male, but hes also not female--eunuchs straddle the gender divide in ways that are uncomfortable for most of us. Hes not really black, but hes also not white--Ethiopians are unusual in having African skin color, but rather Norwegian facial structure, very Caucasian. Hes not powerful, but hes also not common--as a treasurer in the court he wields great influence, but hes also the queens slave. Hes not Jewish, but also not pagan--orthodox Judaism of his time didnt permit eunuchs to convert, but its clear that hes practicing Temple worship. He doesnt fit anywhere. Often enough, the radical message of this conversion gets ignored. We like things black and white, male and female, have and have not, Greek and Jew. As I type this, the morning news is busy trying to spin the news from Ferguson in black/white terms while the mayor busily tries to portray it as residents/outsiders. We crave clarity. But the first convert to the Faith straddles every conceivable line. The Church is supposed to be a place where the worlds craving for us/them doesnt exist. Where those who dont fit neatly have a place at the table, a place in the family. Thats hard work. Often, it sounds no more than fuzzy diversity, an amorphous lip service to inclusiveness. But its much more than that. Its a recognition that, in many congregations, the eunuch wouldnt be welcome. Maybe its because his?....her?....its? apparent inclusion in the LGBT spectrum is threatening. Or because Sunday morning is still the most racially segregated hour in America. Or because the 99% loathe the 1%, and vice versa. Or even that we cant handle people who have alternative views of theology, liturgy, musical preference. We dont easily handle ambiguity. So we drive ourselves to have positions, clear positions. Were traditionalist, or progressive, conservative or liberal, catholic or protestant, mainline or evangelical. But those clear positions always start by excluding someone. They always keep some eunuch out of the embrace of the congregation. Maybe our task isnt to any of those things, but to be bigger than them. To welcome everyone exactly as they are, even if we hope and pray that the Spirit will change them as He?....She?....It? wills. Isnt that, after all, what it means to be converted, to let God change us as God wills to do so, rather than insisting that you, I and that eunuch need to conform to a pattern, an adjective, before being allowed to climb out of that chariot and get dunked?
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:35:38 +0000