I am with you always.

 Matthew 28 :16-20 v 20 b “And be sure of this I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The remaining eleven disciples went to the mountain and saw Jesus, some of them doubted. Jesus told them go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them. And be sure of this I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This month is Pride Month, a time to learn about the complexity of our personal identities, and to understand some of the terminology that helps describe who we are. There are two sexes, male and female, and we are born with physical attributes of one or the other. A binary system. Then there is Gender, which is personal (how we see ourselves) while sexual orientation is interpersonal (who we are physically, emotionally and /or romantically attracted to.)   The majority identify as cisgender, that is they identify with the sex they are born with. For some, however, they feel differently. To be non-binary, is to not identify as male or female. Transgender is a broad term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be when they were born.

How does this fit in with the bible reading today? Of the eleven disciples who saw Jesus, some doubted. Some found it difficult to identify with the resurrected body of Jesus. However, Jesus talked to them all. He gave them what some refer to as the Great Commission “go and make disciples of all the nations” And reminded them” be sure of this I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that Jesus wants us to start conversations with everyone. We all want to be loved for who we are. We must trust Jesus to be with us, “even to the end of the age.”

Prayer: Heavenly God, give us the courage to show your love to all who we meet this week, and to be mindful of their personal identity. Amen