UNIQUE ASSIGNMENTS

Reference text: Luke 3:10-14

Todays Gospel presents John’s encounter with three groups of people: the crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers. All three came with the same question “what should we do?” What is interesting is that each was given a different response, albeit to the same question.

The crowd were told: “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

The tax collectors: “Don’t collect any more than you are required to”

And the soldiers: “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

The same question demanded different responses because the scope of each group posing the question was different. The same thing could not be expected of them all. It would be the same as asking a lion to swim as fast as a dolphin, or an eagle to run as fast as a cheatah.

Just because we ask the same question, does not mean we should receive the same answers. Our consecrations are unique and the details of our assignment are bespoke. Therefore, don’t get into a habit of marking your life’s script against that of another person.

#sly