Marriage Equality Speech

There is great sadness in the land today, for all who have worked and prayed, and hoped and dreamed of building the Beloved Community right here in our own lifetime. Right here in our own land. We realize that in the commissioning of this visionary building, the role of law is required to become the great architect – drawing up the plans – helping people understand a design that unifies the gifts that we all bring. But those who attend to the task of drawing up this moral and legal framework are still struggling to imagine how Love can be the cornerstone; how Justice can be the foundation; how Interdependence can be the crossbeams; and how Education and Understanding be the archway to welcoming everyone – EVERYONE – into a new era of civil and ethical living.

As a religious man, I refuse to believe that God stands on one side or the other of this issue. I believe that God stands on both sides. And in the great divide we have seen in our land, not only are we being pulled apart – I believe that God is being pulled apart. God is being stretched – with those who are afraid of marriage equality pulling God to THEIR side. And those for marriage equality insisting God is on OUR side. In some ways it may seem like God is being pulled apart.

But God is so much bigger than all that. So much bigger than our small minds have been able to, thus far, imagine. God does not stand on THIS side or THAT side – on YOUR side or MY side. God stands on the side of LOVE. Which, when we finally learn to open our hearts and minds, we will see encompasses all of us.

Marriage equality is integral to the blueprint of the Beloved Community. And just like civil rights for people of color was revealed as a core piece, and equal rights for women is a core piece – equal rights for gays and lesbians will one day be understood as core tenant for how we will all learn to live in peace.

There is a great sadness in the heart of the land today. And there is a great sadness in the heart of God. But I believe that such sadness is important – even necessary. For it is from that longing, from that earnest yearning and aching for freedom which Love and Justice will one day be born. And it is Love and Justice that will one day birth the Beloved Community.

“The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” These words come from the Rev. Theodore Parker in the 1850’s when slaves were fighting for their freedom. May this be OUR prayer – and our faith – until all people are free.