The Academy Awards and Lent

Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell

The 81st annual Academy Awards provided me with substance that will provide reflection material as I participate in my 75th Lenten Season. (Of course in my 75 years the meaning of Lent did not "take" until I was in my teenage years). But, I celebrate how blessed I am to have lived to experience 75 years of Lent! What is the "substance" that will be part and parcel of my Lenten journey?

First, as Dustin Lance Black responded to the Oscar he received for doing the screenplay Milk, he spoke to Gay and Lesbian young people everywhere. He reminded them that they were loved and accepted, despite the stands of some churches; "They were loved by God". He said this because the life and commitment of Harvey Milk was a source of inspiration for his own life and encouraged him to accept himself.

Second, as Sean Penn received an Oscar for his portrayal of the role of  Harvey Milk, he spoke of the few anti-Gay protestors outside the event. He expressed the hope that they and those who voted for California's Proposition 8 that forbid same gender marriage, would reflect on what their vote said about the humanity and rights of Gay people and what that communicates to their grandchildren.

Third, The words of Dustin Black and Sean Penn made me think of some other words. Alex Haley in ROOTS, The saga of an American family, (The story of his African family that became a TV classic) describes a naming ceremony. The first child of Omoro and Binta Kinte was named Kunta. Haley describes Omoro, "Carrying little Kunta in his strong arms, he walked to the edge of the village, lifted his baby up with his face to the heavens and said softly, 'Behold - the only thing greater than yourself.'"

Fourth, the above caused me to return again to those words in the 139th Psalm: "For it was you (God) who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Verses 13, 14)

My hope for this Season of Lent is that I and my sisters and brothers of faith, will allow the movie MILK, the story told in ROOTS, and the words about the God of creation in Psalm 139, to  find a place in our Lenten reflection. May we prayerfully re-visit the legislation of The United Methodist Church that denies the "Christian compatibility" of persons whose love is expressed in same gender relationships.

If we believe that all humans are "fearfully and wonderfully made", how do we dare legislate that this does not apply to LGBT persons who express their love in same gender ways? We say that some persons, because of their sexual orientation and same gender intimacy are outside the circle of Christian teaching. Does this mean that after Omoro had held the baby Kunta up to God and later discovered that Kunta was same gender loving, he could assume the role of God and cast his son out of the family and the religious circle?

We know that "God works in mysterious ways". Are there some Lenten messages that God would have us hear that are to be found in the 2009 Academy Awards?  God only knows.

Grandpa Gil