Yeah, I know, which of these things is not like the others? LOL - believe it or not, they have a lot in common this evening.
I had just finished reading Emma’s latest posting this evening, part 6 of 8 of her story Who Makes Intercession, and was leaving a comment when my youngest son came in the house - he was eating dinner with us this evening. I finished typing my comment regarding Emma’s story, and got up to eat dinner.
During dinner, my son and my spouse were discussing the times for Christmas Eve masses - my spouse is Catholic, and my sons were all raised that way as well, while I was raised in the Lutheran church. My son and my wife were discussing which mass they want to go to, settling on the 2PM mass as it will get them home in time to finish getting ready for our annual Christmas Eve party. When my spouse got up and went back into the kitchen for a moment, my son asked me if I was going to join them. I laughingly asked him if he really thought that was such a good idea; although actually the local Catholic parish has never given me any problems attending as a transgender woman. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t get my fair share of staring and dirty looks from some of the parishioners - good Christians that they are!
So that brings me to the conjunction of the three things - Christmas, God, and Emma Anne Tate.
Emma’s story, for those who may not have read it yet, takes place at a musical conservatory where a group of musical students are involved in presenting Handel’s oratorio The Messiah. One of the students is transgender, and after being awarded the position of alto soloist, makes the decision to begin presenting as female with the help of her girlfriend. The student in question, Gabe, whose mother died some years previously, does not have a good relationship with her father. You see, her father has been distant since his wife died, and can’t relate to Gabe - who doesn’t meet his ideal of a son. But through the magic of music, the two of them realize that they are both hurting and need each other.
So, Christmas and the story of Christ brought them back together. They are finally talking to each other about how much they hurt, and how much they love and need each other.
But as I told my son, God and I are not on speaking terms - and haven’t been in a long time.
So, Christmas, God, and Emma Anne Tate.
Comments
Sometimes I'm not on speaking terms with Him either.
But somehow, He breaks through to me.
It's not everyone's experience, though. I don't intend to be preachy, and I hope my story isn't. But I write from my personal experiences, and faith -- at different times crazy, turbulent, troubled, bleak, comforting and awe-inspiring -- is all part of that.
— Emma
Hey!
Hey! You've been reading my mail!
crazy, turbulent, troubled, bleak, comforting and awe-inspiring
Love, Andrea Lena
I lost my faith years ago…….
I have seen too much evil in this world, too many things that no loving God would permit to pass. And I have seen too many good people die while those so much less deserving prosper.
Not to mention years and years of unanswered prayers. I know that I am unworthy, but the vast majority of my prayers were not for intercession on my part - excepting of course the multitude of childhood prayers begging that someone fix me, that I be made whole. I never even really cared whether that meant fully male, or female, but just one or the other rather than stuck somewhere inbetween as I was born.
Nowadays, I only pray that my family survive my eventual passing - for I know that there is no salvation for me, no penance great enough.
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
God and me
I was raised Catholic and was married in the Catholic Church but most of my married life was spent in a Calvinistic, Presbyterian, Baptist, and now Episcopalian Church. I have managed a relationship with God, but have discarded many of the intolerant beliefs of many faiths. The Bible states that it is of 'no private interpretation' so when people throw out their own pet verses, I just counter with Jesus' challenge "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" John 8:7.
Or in the words of CSN:
Open up the gates of the church and let me out of here!
Too many people have lied in the name of Christ
For anyone to heed the call.
So many people have died in the name of Christ
That I can't believe it all.
DeeDee
Speaking terms
With the current election results, ditto on the non-speaking terms.