When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in 1936, I doubt that his family imagined he would grow up to be a particularly controversial figure. He grew up in Argentina and, after recovering from a particularly bad illness, decided to become a Jesuit at the age of 22. He worked his way up through the Catholic church over the next decades, eventually becoming Archbishop of Buenos Aires. His tenure as Archbishop included two major projects: rebalancing the books and greatly expanding the church’s care for the poor in the shanty towns of Buenos Aires.

Bergoglio’s controversies mostly come from the times his personal belief came into conflict with the stance of the institution of the Catholic Church. Because he could see that the institution was not, in fact, perfect. As Bishop, he openly condemned the Church’s failure to act during Argentina’s military dictatorship, and, after being named Pope Francis, he apologized for the Church’s role in cultural genocide against indigenous peoples. He raised the profile of women in the Catholic Church and advocated against exclusion of gay people from Catholic life. He also greatly diversified the college of cardinals, making it much less of a European men’s club.
Pope Francis, of course, also maintained opinions that I find regressive. His stance on women, for instance, did not extend to allowing women into priesthood. He also did not believe in gender affirming treatment. While many of his positions angered conservative factions of the Catholic Church, progressive factions often argued that he didn’t go far enough. But I think he did, as best he knew how, try to share God’s love with all God’s children instead of just the ones he thought best fit with Catholic doctrine.

It is unfortunate that what, as outsiders to the Catholic Church, we may see here as baby steps in the direction of Christ’s message of love were so disruptive to Catholic doctrine. It would have been nice to see people like me accepted for being who God made us in the full Catholic Church instead of just specific congregations. And it’s not just the Catholic Church that struggles with the push and pull between progressive movements and established doctrine or policies, I must emphasize. Every religious group does, from large to small.

It is unfortunate that, instead of people seeing us as Christians by our Love, many people see Christianity as an institution of hate and control. It is no wonder that successive generations increasingly don’t turn to religion for moral guidance, when people who walk much of Christ’s walk without being Christian are spurned by those who talk Christ’s talk the loudest.

Today’s gift of music is from the musical Les Miserables, based on the book of the same name. The story is that of two faithful, Christian men: Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert. Early in his life, Valjean is put into a work camp for stealing a loaf of bread. After his escape, he finds faith after trying to steal from a local church. After the church gifts him what he would have stolen, he takes the lesson to heart and spends the rest of his life helping others. He is, however, forever dogged by Inspector Javert.

Inspector Javert is also a man of faith, but his is a faith of a very different sort. Javert is a man of law, a man who wishes to see Valjean punished to set an example for other would-be criminals. He spends years of his life searching for Valjean, whom he sees as irredeemable, intent on making him feel the unyielding force of justice.

Near the end of the story, Javert catches up with Valjean, who is carrying the unconscious body of a young man, wounded in battle. Instead of asking for Javert’s mercy, Valjean just asks that he first be allowed to bring the young man to a doctor before he goes to prison. Javert finally sees the goodness in Valjean and, unable to reconcile his rigid doctrine with the path of love and mercy, commits suicide.

There are a whole lot of Javerts in this world. People who truly believe they are in the right, who enforce the doctrine of the generations before them while burning with a fire of self-righteousness. It is this kind of thinking that helped elect Trump. Fear of immigrants, who people say bring only crime. Fear of trans people, who they believe must be predators. Fear of gay people, who they believe upset the balance of the “traditional” family. Fear of so-called “woke” ideas.

A church run like that may have open doors, but the only way for you to join in worship is to also join in their exclusion. Exclusion of other people, yes, but perhaps also denial of who God made You.

It is Christians like Javert who could most use the advice contained in today’s readings. A reminder that it was controversial in the early church to open its doors so that we, Gentiles, could be followers of Christ. We ask, who are we to keep other groups out? Or, as Pope Francis said, before more conservative factions of his Church told him to tone it down, “Who am I to judge?”

A ministry of Love is only ever radical because so many people see exclusion as normal. Less than a month ago, the B.C. Conservative Party invited ARPA, a Christian lobby group, into an event at legislature. Along with other policies, ARPA actively advocates for a ban of gay marriage. How is this still permissible in this day and age? And why is the opposition letting them into legislature to promote their messages of hate?

Voices of exclusion are becoming more and more normalized, so we who follow in Christ’s path of inclusive Love have to make our voices heard. Because we are viewed, somehow, as the deviant ones – not the squeaky wheels who loudly spread messages of hate.

Here at West Point Grey, we are an intercultural, Affirming church. A rare combination, a great strength that has people seek out our congregation specifically. A mission requiring constant care and effort, yes, but, well worth it.

So let us continue to improve. Keep making our congregation more approachable to 2SLGBTQ+ people, continue our intercultural work, and reach out into our community. Let everyone know that our Church is one of Christ’s inclusive love. Amen.