Autonomy - The Rev. Joyce Keeshin

Sermons from the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

...we now hear of another potential crisis and the overturning of protection for women's autonomy, and their health and reproductive decisions. There is a temptation for us to stand back because there are simply too many crises. There are too many things that seem to be falling apart and we may choose to stand back, particularly if we don't feel that we're going to be directly impacted by what's going on. I hear that voice in myself sometimes. It's a voice to reassure me, it'll be okay, because I'm not being directly impacted. But immediately hearing that voice, I hear that other voice. That voice of Jesus reminding me that I am called to witness and serve, to love my neighbor as myself to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being. I hear that voice. And regardless of our age, our gender, our orientation, our race or ethnicity, our politics, we are called to walk a path of love together. We are called to do that. I am certain, we have many different views, some passionately held about the most recent issue regarding women's reproductive rights. We can talk personal views and experiences, religious beliefs, beliefs of various traditions. We can talk about science and laws and even politics. In this beloved community we can discuss and respect differing views. What is central for me is a person's autonomy in making well-informed, compassionate, and prayerful choices for their own body and their own life circumstance. I believe that any human being identifying however they do, has the right to have their autonomy regarding their bodies; that autonomy protected.