Today is Wednesday of Holy Week and today’s Gospel reading in the Church of England Lectionary is taken from John Chapter 13. We are at a turning point in the Passion narrative: Lazarus has risen from the dead; Jesus has been anointed with perfume by Lazarus’ sister Mary; Jesus has kneeled before the disciples to wash their feet. With each of these stories, we witness an outpouring of love in the face of doubt, prejudice and even death. It is at this point where Jesus is aware of the suffering that lies ahead of him that he dips a piece of bread in a dish, gives it to Judas Iscariot and says the words, “do quickly what you are going to do.”
This is a radical and all-encompassing outpouring of love from Jesus. Even though he knows that Judas Iscariot’s actions will lead to unimaginable pain and death, he still looks him in the eye and offers him food.
We hear this story on the same day that the Supreme Court in the UK have ruled that the legal definition of “woman” is based on biological sex. This comes after a long, drawn-out legal battle spearheaded by For Women Scotland. While the Judges giving the ruling have emphasised that this is not a win for either side, the reality is the opposite. For Women Scotland have already stated that this will set the precedent for further legal cases as they “protect” single-sex spaces from trans* people.
As I type this, I am watching footage of For Women Scotland campaigners cheering and popping champagne corks. I am reading headlines that say that the Equality and Humans Rights Commission (EHRC) welcomes this ruling. It seems that people who hold power in this country are joining in with the cheering, popping their champagne corks. I am watching them take the piece of bread they have been offered. I am watching this all, trying to comprehend the absurdity of what is happening with a tear in my eye.
And yet, as I am watching this footage, I can’t help but hear today’s Gospel reading in my ear.
I am pulled back into that Upper Room, watching as Jesus offers that piece of bread to his betrayer, and holding onto the words that fall out of his lips:
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” -(John 13:34)
As these words ring in my ears, I am reminded of Christ’s example to love every single person, even those who hurt and betray us.
So today, I refuse to give into hate and despair. I will keep loving as Jesus taught me. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t the kind of love that just ignores acts of wrongdoing and says nothing.The most loving act we can do in this world is to call someone out on their behaviour. To love means to speak out; to love means to protest and rage; but to love also means to not let the darkness consume you.
To the trans* and non-binary people reading this message: SCM loves you. We support and uphold you in the infinite diversity of your being. God loves you with the same radical, all-encompassing love that Jesus loved everyone, even his enemies.
If you are looking for a space to belong, the SCM Trans* Theology Group is open to all UK students and recent graduates who are trans*, non-binary or an ally of this community, and want a space to discuss faith and theology together. Get in contact with us if you would like to join.