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The answer to all of the aforementioned questions is a resounding, “NO!” In fact, these sashes were so colorful that they could color coordinate with almost any Sunday best. These were rainbow sashes, worn by heterosexual people in protest of the unjust doctrine of denying communion to gay and lesbian Catholics.
As I understand it, since 2001 the Rainbow Sash Alliance (RSA) encourages supporters to wear rainbow sashes to church on each Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a day when Christians believe the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon all people after Jesus’ ascension. This past Pentecost Sunday was the first time that RSA supporters were denied communion at the alter.
To be fair, the Catholic archbishop warned them not to wear the sashes because it was a symbol of protest against church teaching, therefore they would not be able to partake in communion. This, however, did not stop the RSA. Hmmmm….sounds like something Jesus has done. The priest announced at the beginning of service that those who were wearing the sashes would receive a blessing, but no wine and bread. Hmmm….sounds like segregation all over again except there was no section set aside for “rainbows only.”
When these rainbow wearers “sashed” their way up to the alter for communion and were denied; they remained standing, while others who received communion sat or kneeled, with hands cupped as a symbol of desiring to be served. This silent protest lasted 5 minutes before the others rose for announcements and the benediction. The RSA supporters are comprised of nuns, mothers, fathers and children, all of whom believe that everyone belongs at the table of God.
In response to the protest, the archbishop wrote to the RSA indicating that it has never been acceptable ''to use the reception of communion as an act of protest.'' However, I guess it is okay to use communion as a tool of oppression, not unlike what many churches use Jesus for these days.
Not everyone who attended the service was amused, not this year and not in some years past. Previously, some conservative groups have knelt in the aisles to block the sashers from going up to receive communion. One not so amused member said, ''If you're going to be a Catholic, either live with it or call yourself something different. They’re trying to change something that has been taught by the church for 2,000 years.''
Sacred cows are so hard to tip. (Side note, that’s the only cow I would ever support tipping!) Tradition does not always equal sanctity. Jesus was the biggest protestor of legalism and tradition when he knew that it got in the way of true worship. We cannot worship in Spirit and Truth as long as there are some who are denied access. What is so hard about letting God decide who should come and who should not? Isn’t God big enough, wise enough and just enough to make the right decisions? What message does this type of denial send to people who are searching for a closer relationship with God?
I believe that as Christians we are commanded to extend the invitation, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19NIV) and let God take it from there. When Jesus fed the five thousand, do you think He was picking and choosing who could eat and who could not? The invitation was, “If you are hungry come!” I believe Jesus’ invitation is the same today. After all, we are supposed to be parishioners, although I think some of us have mistakenly become “parishunners.” receive too much love.
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