The radical changes we forgot

I want to take a moment to address something that concerns, no bothers, me. One of the most common things I hear is, "aren't you awfully young to be an Archbishop?". I respond with "no younger then John, Peter, Paul, or Jesus." I usually get a strange look at that point.

People tend to forget that Jesus was only 33 at most when crucified. Peter was the first Pope while being somewhere between 26-30 years of age. John was baptizing in the River Jordan before turning 30 years old. Paul was 34 when he converted to Christianity and in his early 40's when he began telling others what makes a good minister and bishop. Where does the old men come into play? Where did the women go that Jesus had appointed through Mary to lead? Jesus taught to rebel against the Jewish temple laws and to live a life devoted to God the Father.

Today, it has all been thrown to confusion with old men sitting on thrones telling younger men what to do. Women banned from standing at the pulpit or leading others like Mary once did. Forgiveness has become confused with a blind eye. And most importantly LOVE has been transformed to "not my problem, not my life". We are not practicing the true Christianity that Jesus taught some 2000 years ago. We are teaching a twisted form that has benefited those in power to remain and those without to be subservient to those who have.

We need to have that radical aspect back in our lives today to truly live a life that was taught to us. It isn't easy to love everyone. It isn't easy to be concerned for those around you in their times of need. We have generations of mistakes to correct but I'm confident that if we try others will try and that will be a great start for our children. Stand strong. Stand united. Mostly, stand with faith in what you believe.

Yours in Faith,
Archbishop Isaac L Kramer

Enough. Take a stand already.

Allow me a few moments to stand strong on my soap box and vent.

I do not understand why equality on all levels is such a novel concept here in America. We are suppose to be the leaders of the world, but yet we seem to be falling behind in the pack. Other countries already have gays and lesbians in their military with no problems. They allow same sex marriage with no issues.

I listen to several people telling me what they believe we should do. Everyone seems to have the same want, "treat me with the same respect as I treat you". This give and take needs to be finally exposed for what it really is, double standards.

Everyone is created equally. We are all born from another human and thereby making us human. What we should be doing is treating everyone as if they are ourselves and equal.

When Jesus was faced with Mary not being a man he said, "then I shall make her a man". He didn't mean change her genital, he meant make her equal to all the others. Give her the same education and rights as all the men had at that time. We should all take a lesson from this page and move forward into the 21st century.

Over 2000 years of discrimination is sickening. How long does it take for a country to be considered an adult? I would think that after being over 220 years old, America would finally be wise enough to understand the errors of the past and move forward to truly be the land of the free. Restricting the rights of others is not freedom it is a form of slavery.

People of America, wise up and encourage politicians to vote for equality on all levels not just the ones that make them popular today. And on that same note, love others the way God commanded, AS YOURSELF.

Yours in Faith,
Abp. Isaac L Kramer