What does equality
mean for you?
We often hear
quoted to us
St Paul's words
to the Galatians
that,
"There is neither
Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female:
for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
So, we are all equal
in the eyes of God,
is that right?
If that's true,
why are we all different?
We can understand
that being a slave or a master
or being rich or poor,
or even Jew or Gentile
are products of human society.
But,
if we are all equal,
why did God Himself
create us
Male and Female?
Why are these
not interchangeable,
especially when
having children is concerned?
[PAUSE]
Our Lord speaks
of how we should attend
a wedding banquet.
We are to go to the lowest room,
the lowest place,
so that we can be invited up,
and then find honour
in the eyes of the other guests,
whereas those
who take the best place
get told to move down.
There seems to be
a pecking order
at this banquet.
One room is higher
than another.
One person seems to be
regarded as more important
than another.
Does this mean
that, at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb
there will be higher and lower places?
Does this mean
that Our Lord
is saying that
human beings are not equal?
Of course,
the answer is yes!
[PAUSE]
Think about it.
In the Revelstion to St John
there are the four and twenty elders
who sit crowned on thrones
next to the Throne of God.
Do we really imagine
that in Heaven,
we shall sit next to St Peter
or St Paul,
or even at Our Lord's right hand?
Remember,
we're human beings
and human beings have bodies,
so we shall.be physically present.
We shall have a place in Heaven,
but will it be a place
that's of honour?
Will it be a place
near to Our Lord's throne?
Or will it be nearer the door?
We know that it's common sense
that Our Lady will be closest to Our Lord.
She must have a place very near Him.
Our Lord Himself teaches
"Honour thy father and thy mother."
He must surely honour her
by giving her a place beside Him
in glory.
And He also says that
"For whosoever
shall do the will of my Father
which is in heaven,
the same is my brother,
and sister,
and mother."
[PAUSE]
Just like any wedding,
the Heavenly Feast
is ordered by relationship.
It is those whom
the Bride and Groom love most
who sit nearest to them
at the wedding.
It is the same with God
that it is those who love Him most
will sit nearer to Him
in Heaven.
The more we love
the nearer to God we are
because God is Love.
Those who care more about
their status,
their rights
and entitlements,
their nation and culture
cannot have a higher place.
In God,
human beings are equal
in their salvation
in their opportunity
to love each other.
We all have the same opportunity
to sit at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb
regardless of
our race, our status and our sex.
It is how we view that opportunity
that matters.
We are not created
to be identical
nor to be interchangeable,
but to have the same opportunity
to know and love God
as the person He has created.
[PAUSE]
Political equality
is concerned
about ensuring people
are the same under law.
This is where the language
of rights,
benefits,
entitlements
and duties comes in.
These may have their beginning
in justice and the desire for good,
but we see them become
ends in themselves:
rights to be clung to,
benefits that are rightfully ours,
entitlements that we must fight for.
Political equality
quickly loses faith,
because people trust their rights
rather than God;
it loses hope
because when entitlements are not met,
life is somehow not worth living;
and it loses love
because we focus more
on the right to be loved
rather than the duty to love.
The Pharisees
with their sense of entitlement
move further down
from the place of honour
because the Heavenly seating plan
is based upon love of God
and neighbour,
not social or political entitlement.
[PAUSE]
We should not care
where we sit in Heaven,
for wherever we sit,
we shall know the love of God:
it will be the same feast
that we enjoy together.
He invites us all,
equally,
to join Him in the Feast,
and, wherever we sit,
we shall be in good company
for it is a company based on love.
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