This morning as I was searching for a book (for my research) on my cluttered desk at home, I picked up a book and out fell my patriarchal blessing. I grabbed it, looked at it and put it on the desk, hoping it would get consumed by borg that lives on my desk.
Yet, something inside could not ignore it. It is not more than half a page long. I reasoned for so long that I have no need for it; it was too general and vague. Further I had it memorized. But I picked it up and read it.
A phrase jumped out at me in a way that it never has before. It noted getting education I can, because I might have the knowledge others might need. Recently, I've been involved with a group (of faithful and active members in the Seattle area) to put on a Symposium on Homosexuality and the Church and also to develop a series of workshops on understanding how the heteropatriarchal system shapes how we understand the gospel and shapes how we interact with people who are attracted to the same sex.
In my studies, I've studied a great deal on queer theory, sexuality, gender, economic orders, the formation of institutions and its intersection with the development of rights and development in general. In addition, I've studied various philosophies, the provenance of democracy, notions of resistance, notions of cooperation, game theory. In a word, I've studied a great deal of many things. I realized this morning, that these things which I have studied and written extensively about (in more formal, finessed, and polished ways) in other places has helped me and many others to think, at least rationally through a series of arguments about homosexuality and the church, but more importantly, at least for me it has enabled me to ask different questions. Also have been helping create the series of workshops, I realized that many in the group look to me to help them sort out the tough questions in relation to the intersection of gender, sexuality, race and the gospel, in word, to help them think in more structured ways about how the social, economic, political, cultural, and racial orders and institutions shape our understanding of God, the world, and each other.
I was humbled to think that even now, the Patriarchal Blessing or rather Heavenly Father, is telling me I'm headed in the right direction, while I may not be fully on the path, at least I'm headed towards it.
And for me that is sufficient to express thanks to God.
"Recently, I've been involved with a group (of faithful and active members in the Seattle area) to put on a Symposium on Homosexuality and the Church and also to develop a series of workshops on understanding how the heteropatriarchal system shapes how we understand the gospel and shapes how we interact with people who are attracted to the same sex."
ReplyDeleteHey. When is this symposium? I'm in Seattle and have never heard of it b4. It would be interesting to attend.