Dimmed bulbs

Luke 8:16-21

          In the discussion with my 87 years old  friend the other day, we actually discussed the self loathing and hiding people do to be part of an organized religion. Rather than be who they are and be proud of who they are, they hide who they are, how they feel. They subvert their opinions and feelings, even beliefs. In other words, they hide their light under a bushel basket of secrecy ( my words and the words of scripture, not his ).

          I note how easy it is to hide your light in the Catholic church. Whether you are a Priest who is gay, a parishioner who practices birth control or who is divorced or remarried, there is no one checking at the door for doctrinal purity. I think it's safe to say the church is largely full of silent dissenters, clergy included.  The only exception are those that are openly gay and not willing to suppress their affection. I'm not talking necking in the pews but simple holding hands or a hug. These things seem to offend doctrinal sensibilities as if they were acts of violence against God instead of signs of legitimate human affection and love.

         
       The act of  hiding who we are no matter what our differences are is depriving the church of the richness of God's creation. The richness of life and love, failure to love and honest human mistakes  ( like a bad marriage ) cannot help the church because it is all hidden, subverted and denied.

        There is something inherently wrong with hiding who you are. If you  are gay, you should make every effort to let your light shine. Hiding who you are is harmful and frankly exactly what this passage is arguing against. Let your light shine. Pride in who you are makes God smile.

No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ But he said to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God