I am well accustomed to the idea of asceticism and removing oneself from the world to live in constant prayer and contemplation of God. We can see its merit and practice several times in Jesus' life when he withdrew to the dessert or to some secluded area to pray. It is worthy practice that I try to indulge in from time to time. Other people have devoted their whole lives to this practice.
Life in a hermitage or monastery is not the life for everyone. Dare I say that most of us find our calling in the secular world. Today's passage speaks to this. Most of us live our lives in a world that calls us to love in a an atmosphere seemingly devoted to materialism, false Gods and even hate. Many of us have the reaction to cordon ourselves off, stay with those that are holy, diminish the outside influences that are anathema to our way of life and thought. And this passage might ask, 'what is the merit in that'? Is that not what faithful people do? Don't we love our own? Even sinners love other sinners. Where is the merit in our life if we merely do what we are supposed to do? I said it yesterday, we get not extra credits for doing what we are supposed to do.
Short of living in a hermitage or sequestering ourselves into a life of silence and prayer, we are all called to live in the secular world. I believe the expression is to be 'part of the world but not of the world'. If we are called to be witnesses to God's love we do not preach to the choir. We will be preaching, by our actions, to those who do not agree with us, to those who hold a different view, a different focus of worship and perhaps even a distaste for us.
I have no problem at issuing my strong opinions about the Roman church.
The hierarchy has breached any moral authority it may have once held. Now an Episcopalian, I remain fervent in my desire to devote my life to Christ while honoring whom God has made me to be. The truth is though that any person now labelled "Christian" can be subject to question and hate. In view of the fake Christians and actions perpetrated by people proclaiming to be Christians, I now find that I am ironically subject to vilification based on my beliefs.
In the secular world where even our practice of faith is supposed to reign supreme, it is a tough sell to admonish people to follow the tenets of Jesus Christ when those claiming its banner are hardened criminals, hate mongers and those who twist Scripture to justify their own peculiar brand of hate. My witness must be rather strong to counter such popular beliefs that are foisted from the highest levels of Christendom and society
But of one thing I am certain, we are no called to be quiet as a church mouse and sequestered away from daily life. Just as I am called to be out and proud as a gay man created by God, I am also called to be an 'out' believer. I am called to witness God's love as a gay man, as a Christian man and as an all embracing loving man of God. Not an easy task but that is our task if we proclaim and wish salvation for all.
Matthew 5:38-48
‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same?And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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