All In: Dignity/Chicago 49th Anniversary Homily

This homily was given by Chris Pett for Dignity/Chicago’s 49th anniversary as a chapter, on August 22, 2021.

“Rabbi, where would we go? you have the words of everlasting life!”

This compelling confession of faith heard from Peter in today’s Gospel narrative is a fitting introduction to today’s celebration, 49 years of faithful service and ministry offered by Dignity/Chicago. While we face many challenges in many aspects of our life, individually and communally, there is real clarity when it comes to our commitment to this mission and work; our response like Peter’s can be expressed in more modern words: “We believe, Lord, we’re all in!”

Once again, the movement of the Spirit is felt in how relevant and timely these readings are to this celebration. In short, they all speak to commitment: to God, to the covenant, to faithfulness and service, to healthy and nurturing relationships; commitment to one another, as God’s beloved community which I believe we are.

Joshua gathers the people at a crucial time as they seek to establish their community and identity. Joshua asks if the people wish to remain committed to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the One who led them out of slavery and into the Promised Land. They respond clearly and definitively: “yes, we are all in!”

This week’s narrative from John’s Gospel is a continuation of Chapter Six which we’ve heard for the past several weeks. Some of those who had identified as disciples of Jesus find themselves walking away from Jesus’ teaching which was included in last week’s Gospel which we didn’t hear as we celebrated the Assumption of Mary.

The words that these disciples rejected were: “The truth is if you do not eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Chosen One, you will not have life in you.” Just consider how many heard these words with difficulty and stepped away from such a radical statement and the literal image of flesh and blood being eaten.

Yet what we’ve heard and experienced these past weeks of John Gospel is not as much as a literal focus on flesh and blood but on the call to a new intimacy with God and one another; understanding we are called to a new and deeper spiritual intimacy with God as food and drink.

As many walk away, Peter steps up and makes his confession of faith, this heartfelt response: “Rabbi, where would we go?” which speaks of that new intimacy as well as a reconnection and re-commitment which is personal to Jesus but also reflects a commitment to God’s reign and the work of bringing its promise into reality as Jesus demonstrated in his ministry of healing, welcome and reconciliation. Those who continued to follow were now clearer in their commitment: “we are all in”, probably a pivotal moment in their journey with Jesus. And by the way, isn’t this the commitment that was made when we were baptized, that we renew every easter season?

We’re actually saying this constantly on our journey of faith and throughout the liturgical year:

God takes on our flesh in the incarnation to elevate our humanity: we’re “all in” on that!

Jesus proclaims God’s reign and offers signs of healing, welcome, inclusion and justice: hey, we’re “all in” on that!

Jesus suffers and dies to reconcile us to God and one another; we’re all in on that one!

Jesus rises from the dead to offer us eternal life and light, a bright and possible future; hey we’re definitely “all in” on that too!!

And today: Dignity/Chicago, a community built on providing a place of safety, integration of our sexuality and spirituality; a community that recommits itself today to its ministry, presence and voice to LGBTQI Catholics here in the Chicago area: yes indeed “we are all in.”

We are still the go-to voice sought out by local (and national) media when the voice of progressive LGBTQI+ Catholics need to be heard; for example our coverage in Windy City Media over many years, and more recently when we were called by the WVON radio station when the Vatican issued it’s odious statement in May regarding the blessing of same-sex marriages; a radio station that identifies as African-American and speaks to an audience who have also experienced disrespect and injustices. That tells us about how others see in us our commitment, of being “all in” when it comes to justice-making.

It’s awesome that we are honoring the Streetwise organization for their commitment to the immediate and longer terms needs of many who have experienced trauma, illness, injustices, etc. We proud to stand with you today in your continued commitment to your work and ministry – like you, “we are all-in.”

We also recognize we face some challenges as we think about our future, and which we are all facing individually in our lives during this pandemic, as well as being part of the racial justice reckoning and targets of political and church hierarchical attacks on our lives, relationships and families. But we’ve shown we are resilient and adaptive as we’ve navigated the pandemic, in particular, creating a new virtual community and attracting new members and have found new and different ways to remain connected to one another.

So at this Eucharist, this celebration of Dignity/Chicago’s 49th Anniversary, we affirm our belief and trust in God and one another, and accept again the gift of bread and wine, flesh and blood. We give thanks for our 49 years and the sacrifices and achievements of those who have come before us. And we also have a very clear call to prayer, asking Holy Wisdom and God’s Spirit to guide us on a new path.

Let our celebration today, and re-affirmation to our ministry and work, be very clear: “Lord, we are all in!”