On Queer-theology

Having such a crap Monday as I am right now. Cramps, no work and rain. It was lovely to see my Bible Contemplations featured on http://www.queerteologi.se. The page is run by the Swedish Lutheran Priest Niclas Olaison (yes, he is queer) and he approached me last year at Stockholm Pride and asked me to write for it.
To be honest, I had forgetten that I did it and read the piece getting a more and more familiar feeling about- until realizing I had actually WRITTEN IT.
It can be found in Swedish on the link above, and translated here:

1 Book of Peter 5:1-4

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness
of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not
because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not
greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to
you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

In the text for the 4th Sunday of Easter time we talk about being the shepherd of a flock. To watch over it not by force but voluntarily as God wants, not by greed but by devotion. In my faith we are all both shepherd and flock to each other. In our faith we will be able to support others well as to seek support. In the certainty of Christ's love we are able to share all the burdens, big or small, and to share them even with those who are not Christians. In that we commit an act of love. We do God's will.

The importance of being humble is also emphasized in the text. That we do not make ourselves out to be "Lords", but only good examples. For me, it is also important that we dare to face each other in humility and humanity. Jesus came to us to show us what it ultimately is to be human and to sacrifice yourself as a human. In my previous Christian life, I often ran into these "Lords" rather than examples, which found it difficult to meet in the humility that I believe to be Christianity's core.

Why it is so difficult, I do not know. But I know that I try to be humble myself and I see that it plays a big part in how others will respond to and see me. It is not difficult to help if we feel that we can also get help when we need it. It is not difficult to lead if we feel that we can be led, not only by God but by people around us.

Therefore, we constantly have a responsibility to ourselves and others. To be humble so that others may be strong for us and to be strong for those who can not. The need to help or seek help does not always need to come from an explicit Christian faith, but often it can show the way to another way of looking at ourselves and others. A vision that springs from a grace and a freedom - in a sacrifice from God.

I will be featured two more times this spring/summer.