June 2010 Dateline

Q: What would you say to a closeted person who was struggling to consolidate his/her sexuality and his/her religion?

A: I would recall the story of Jesus calling Lazarus back from the tomb of death to live again.  Being in the closet is like being entombed.  This is not what God intended when he made you. God is love and love does not entomb. . . . The day I stopped denying who I was and allowed someone in to love me as I am was a day I felt tremendous Grace. I will never forget the day or time or spot or man I was with. I knew that I was experiencing love and tenderness.  I was finally in my body. I felt whole, (“Holy”). This is what the Church calls “Sacrament” — the profound breaking-in of God’s grace in our lives. I have only grown closer to God ever since. There are so many others with similar experiences.  Come – leave your tomb and join us. We’ll light your path.

DignityUSA President Mark Matson
in "A Recent Communication"

Dateline File: 

June 2010 Dateline