What to do, what to do...

Luke 3:10-14

            My husband and I have discussed the possibility of us using the following scenarios to extricate ourselves from a bad or uncomfortable social situation. The more likely scenario has one of us imitating Darrin Steven's mother (from Bewitched). In the face of her confusion (usually from bewitchery), she says to her husband in a penetrating voice, "Frank, I have a sick headache". Then they leave.  The other scenario we call 'good gay, bad gay'. In this scenario one of us acts normal and the other acts like a bitchy queen making a scene. And then off we go. We have never used good gay, bad gay but it has an appeal to us.

             The idea of good gay, bad gay is what comes to mind from this reading. It seems to me that no matter what or who you are, you are called always to be that 'good gay' part. Well, if you are gay. Otherwise, be the good whomever or whatever you are. 

              That presupposes that you know who you are. I mean, we can spend our whole life finding out who we are. That may be the meaning of life. But overall the meaning and intent of this passage is to be the best at whatever and whomever you are.

             Being a tax collector was not to be an excuse to live up to others lowered expectations of what a tax collector was in Jesus' time.  Soldiers, even today are not meant to live up to the worst we could think of for a soldier to be but only the best. Decent, honest, obedient, honor bound.  If you are gay or any part of the LGBTQ rainbow, be the best you can be. There is no need or room for bitchy queens so to speak.  There is no need to live up to the worst stereotypes that some people claim for the gay community.

             In all things, no matter who you are, be loving, decent and faithful. It's really that simple.

And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’