“Whoever Sees Me, Sees the One Who Sent Me”~ A Reflection as Pride Month Begins

~ Submitted by the Rev. Chris Wendell, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

A reflection at the start of Pride Month from the Rev. Chris Wendell, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

“Whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me.”

 In John’s Gospel, these words remind us that we can know more about the truth of God by knowing more about the truth of Jesus.  And that’s in part because Jesus was unique — he was fully divine, so of course you could see God in him.  But it’s also true in part because Jesus was not unique – he was fully human, just like us.  And just like us, he was created in the image of God.
 
We sometimes think that this means what Michelangelo thought it meant when he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – that to be made in the image of God means human bodies look like God’s body.  In particular, male bodies, and tall bodies, and bodies that are in very good shape! Maybe that’s what it means, but I doubt it.  I think that’s far too limiting a way of thinking about what it means to be made in God’s image: to be made capable of giving and receiving love, which is God.    
 
For a long time this kind of patriarchal theological reasoning led the church to be so very narrow in thinking about who was created in God’s image, who belonged, whose life and whose love was considered holy and good and right.  And this caused a lot of pain for many people, who were told that no one could look at them and catch a glimpse of God.
 
Today is June 1^st, and the beginning of LGBTQ pride month.  Around the country and around the world this month celebrations of gay pride will abound.  And here at St. Paul’s we join in that spirit of celebration, welcome, and affirmation that one way to be made in God’s image is to be gay, or lesbian, or queer, or transgender.  Jesus may have been born male, but the Body of Christ has many gender identities and expressions capable of bringing Glory to God.
 
 “Whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me.”  As the world begins Pride Month this year, to our LGBTQ parishioners, friends, and siblings in Christ, I say, we see you. And when we see you, in you, in your life, and in your love, we can catch a glimpse of God.