in the extract from Colossians that forms the second reading for today, the 16th Sunday of Ordinary time (Year C), there is very little that must   be done to make clear it’s direct relevance to LGBT Christians. All we really need is to think carefully about the pronouns. In addressing his readers as “you”, Paul is using the plural form. He is addressing all the members of the church in Colossus – and by extension, all the members of the Church, everywhere. “All” certainly includes LGBT people,as it includes all minorities, of every kind.

Conversely, when Paul writes “I”, he is describing himself, as one directly chosen by God to spread the message of Christ. But we know that we all are chosen to be disciples, we are all called to apostleship. We too, are called to spread the message – by example, if not also more directly in words.

Here’s Paul’s text:

24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—

26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you,the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

-Colossians 1:24 – 28 (New International Version)

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