Even When the Mothers Don't Do Unto You as You Would Have Them 


A reflection on my mom's predicament. 

I learned some tough news the other day. I learned that my 92 year old mother was still praying that I would repent of my sins. It turns out that that would mean this: turning aside from my 22 year faithful relationship with my life partner Stephen, blessed in an episcopal church. I guess it would mean undoing the legally complicated process we recently went through of making him my next-of-kin, to inherit everything from my estate, and to act as my medical and financial power of attorney. Probably, too, I should not make Stephen's daughter, Stephanie—whom I love dearly, or her natural son, Alexander, the closest thing I will ever have to a grandchild—I should not make him or her beneficiaries of my estate should I survive Stephen. I guess that means that I should deny that the years of struggle and sacrifice to make this all work as being lost on a wrong road. I guess this means that all the joys and even thrills that we have had together should never have happened.

I guess that is what my mother is praying for, that I should undo and forget the happiness that I have built with Stephen.

Now get this. And the COLOSSAL ARROGANCE of such a position, my mother believes that she KNOWS that this is God's will. This is what the endless string of radio Christian pulpit pounders that she listens to every day are convincing her of.

Now she would tell you that she loves me, that is why she is praying for my soul, to save it from eternal damnation.

Mother, unfortunately for you, you are not preaching the words of Christ, you are not praying the prayers of Christ. I plead with you, to God, to other Christians, to stop this nonsense. When you see love in the world, especially when it is heartfelt love grounded in the Church of Jesus Christ, then stop denouncing it, and praying for it to end.

I pray to God, stop it now, mother, and see the light. I am saved, but by my own acceptance of the way of forgiveness into my life. And I do, and continue to forgive you for the error of your ways.

This is not harsh. First of all, I do not fear that you will burn in hell for your erroneous beliefs. Also, I know that you are doing the best that you can do, as you have always done. But this story NEEDS TO BE TOLD, even if only one person hears of it and repents of his or her hateful ways.

In the love of Jesus Christ,

Your son, Jim 

Posted: Sat - May 27, 2006 at 03:23 PM          

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