Rejected LGBTQ+ Are Now A Cornerstone
“The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” - Psalm 118:22
In today’s reading from the Acts of Apostles, priests, “leaders, elders, and scribes” arrested Peter and John for healing the crippled man while “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “[Jesus] is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”
I remember being rejected in September 2024 when we left our parish after an unwelcoming pastor was installed. We felt uprooted from our parish community of 13+ years that not only welcomed us but also loved us on our difficult journey as LGBTQ+ Catholics. After sharing the news to our friends, family, and community members, we not only received a tsunami of love, support, and prayers but also personal invitations to join their parish
However, one text message stood out. It was from a former Vicar General of the Diocese of San Jose, Fr. Brendan McGuire, whom we have known personally over a decade. In addition to an invitation to St. Simon of Los Altos, California, Fr. Brendan asked us to consider starting an LGBTQ+ ministry. We were floored.
I met Fr. Brendan in person to share my concerns, fears, and rejections due to hostile threats from several Catholics. He shared: “Do you know how many parents, grandparents, teachers, relatives, and friends I’ve met who are struggling when someone they love is LGBTQ+? Do you know how many leave the Catholic Church because they no longer feel at home because they’ve been rejected?”
Although we are just starting an LGBTQ+ Ministry called “Beloved᛭Blessed”, we met people who shared their stories of heartbreak and struggle when their loved one has been rejected. We met people of the LGBTQ+ community who are at an inflection point of their faith after being rejected. We met people who were homophobic but are now a “cornerstone” in our lives.
Upon celebrating our official one year anniversary joining St. Simon, we are beyond thankful for the welcome, love, support, and prayers from parishioners who have made us a cornerstone within the community.
How many times have we, the builders, rejected those who have become a cornerstone? How can you become a cornerstone to someone’s life?
John Huân Vũ
Picture Credit: Greg Ripa of St. Simon, Los Altos, Ca.