Breath of the Spirit

Pastoral, Liturgical, Teaching, and Social Justice Moments brought to you by www.DignityUSA.org.

Breath of the Spirit is DignityUSA’s electronic spiritual and liturgical resource for our members and potential members. Nothing can replace your chapter or other faith community, but we hope you will find further support here for integrating your spirituality with your sexuality and all the strands of your life.

We welcome relevant homilies, inspirational writings, social justice opportunities, or theological articles from other sources also — particularly from wise women and men who can help us grow as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) and allied Catholic/Christians. You may volunteer to help with this program or send your comments by e-mailing info@DignityUSA.org ATTN: Breath of the Spirit.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2006: TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings:

Isaiah 50:5-9a

James 2:14-18

Mark 8:27-35

Last week's readings were a good introduction to today's readings. What we surfaced about the Christian's ability to hear, will now be amplified by the Christian's obligation to hear.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2006: TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings:

Isaiah 35:4-7a

James 2:1-5

Mark 7:31-37

Many of us believe the reason each of the four evangelists allots so much space for Jesus' miracles is to prove beyond doubt that he's God. Serious students of Scripture tell us that's not correct. Christians believed the Capernaum carpenter was God before they even heard of gospels.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2006: TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings:

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8

James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

I grew up trying frantically to keep all sorts of religious rules and regulations. I was afraid of spending eternity in hell, or a big part of pre-eternity in purgatory. It didn't make a lot of difference whether God or the church created the laws. The only way to get into heaven was to obey them.

Vision Statement

DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.