Luke 6:27-38

          Giving without expectation

          27 "But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. 31 And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most  High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

          This week there seems to be a focus on death. First it is the fact that this week encompasses 9/11, which is always a sobering and solemn time. In addition to that two people passed away this week that made the emphasis on death all the more personal.  I could not help but run a full range of emotions and thoughts. One thing that I focused on perhaps was the value of life and a life well lived. I've spoken of true happiness before but what lens can we put to a life at it's end, when it passes from this world to the next?

          I was struck yesterday by the funeral for Ginny Nichols and since it was a 4+ hour ride each way, I had ample time for thought. Ginny apparently found the true happiness I speak of in her life. She lived life well as judged by her husband and children and the packed church who were a testament to all the wonderful things her preacher son said about her i his sermon. That made me think of commonalities with another person that died this week along with the thousands that perished in 9/11.

         John McGuire also passed this week and he too found his happiness, his wholeness, his holiness and it showed in the life he lived, just like Ginny. A robust life of love and service. Then I thought of all the responders to 9/11 who died in service , who emptied themselves of all self thought and gave their life to help someone else who needed it. Lives that ended but were elevated to a maturity that gives supreme value on a life, that shows the love we are capable of in a moments notice. Ginny and John spent their whole lives in love and service, the repsonders gave all their love in a crescendo of love that painted their entire lives with a glow of love and selfless service.  

           We live life to find out who we are and we are justly happy when we find it. When we do find ourselves, gay or straight, we are called to move forward in that happiness, that wholeness, to grow and produce fruit. We need to grow and reach a fullness of life in how we live. Our is a life measured by our lov, not for ourselves so much as our love for others and how we express that love.

            Be happy with who you are, share that gift selflessly with others for a life truly well lived.